Anathema's Abode
Chapter 13
Denial
Phantom navigated his way through the cold upper corridors of his castle, the General's mantle trailing behind him as he headed for his private chambers in order to seek respite. Despite the vast amount of work he knew was put into the upkeep of his stronghold, Casa del Phantom always seemed to be permeated by a dismal, lonely air that the white haired ghost had yet to be able to banish.
Servants and soldiers alike pressed their backs to the walls of narrow, convoluted granite to allow him to pass unhindered, starting and lowering their heads when they accidentally met his eyes. Some even attempting half bows, even if the lack of space did not permit it, causing Phantom strive not to blanch. He neither wanted nor deserved their respect.
This was quite literally a whole other world. One in which he still knew next to nothing about about, despite Ember's desperate tutoring. It was a miracle in itself that they had yet to be found out. In his darkest moments of self pity and loathing, Phantom didn't know how much longer he would be able to hold out before he cracked. Surely, it wasn't so much a question of if he would crack as to when. It had been an impossible situation to begin with. He should have taken Ember and fled Amity to the other side of the world, far beyond the reaches of the Empire. Especially not that he had no reason to stay, since one person that he had chosen to remain for now envisioned his face when she thought of the enemy.
No, Phantom told himself. He could not afford to allow emotions to cloud his judgment. However precarious their current standing with Pariah Dark, Ember was infinitely safer here than they would be on the run. Fleeing now would be seen as an insult to his liege that the General would never be able to salvage, and he would not risk Pariah laying a hand on his best friend; not for anything. And despite himself, even though Sam had made it clear that she thought him despicable, catching an occasional, fleeting glimpse of the Brotherhood girl when he entered the human realm allowed him to ensure her safety, if only to console himself.
The white haired ghost flung open the heavy doors of his bedchamber, inwardly groaning at the sight that greeted him. The damned slaves were everywhere. For one who was accustomed to doing their own laundry in the human realm, having to endure the servitude of perhaps a hundred low caste ghosts bustling about as they strove to do his bidding was almost unbearable.
If he had any say in the matter, the white haired ghost would never leave his chambers unless absolutely necessary. However, if it was made known that General Phantom was spending extended periods of time alone in no one but Ember's presence, the Empire would soon begin to suspect that the azure haired pyrokine was a lot more than she let on. But for now, all he wanted was a moment to himself before he was once again forced to don the mask of pretense.
"Leave me," the white haired ghost demanded roughly, to the astonishment of the servants scurrying about about on errands in his sizable bedchamber. "Do not make me repeat myself," the General snarled, an eerie, terrifying vibrato entering his voice as his subordinates hastened to take their leave.
"That includes you, Desiree," he uttered gruffly, trying his utmost not to look at the courtesan who had taken the liberty to deposit herself on his redundantly large bed.
"Surely that cannot be what you desire of me, Lord General," Desiree murmured quietly as she fingered his bedsheets, as though certain that the statement was fact.
"I assure you," the General growled. "It is. Now leave me in peace."
"I was sent by the King to keep you entertained, my Lord," the concubine's painted lips curved into a sultry smirk. "I'm not going anywhere, so I suggest you make the most of the situation," she ran her fingers across the exquisite black sheets, inviting Phantom onto his own bed in a manner that made the white haired ghost feel physically sick. "The King merely wishes to express his appreciation or your efforts; you've exceeded his expectations thus far in your endeavours. I don't assume that I need to tell you that Pariah is very difficult to impress."
Regardless of whether he had indeed managed to please his liege, Phantom knew that the courtesan's primary duties lay elsewhere- as a spy placed to ensure his loyalty to the Empire. The General snorted softly in disgust. How much of a fool did the King perceive him to be? "Whatever you have to offer, I am not interested."
"I find it difficult to believe you," Desiree examined her fingernails, a brief flicker of irritation crossing her features as she noticed a slight chip. "Between what they are saying about that unfortunate brotherhood girl and that little lightskirt you keep, we both know you're hardly celibate."
"What have you heard?" the General questioned sharply as he turned to face her, an icy chill gripping his chest at her careless mention of Sam.
"Your expedition to Amity Park in order to establish yourself in the eyes of the humans is common knowledge," Desiree waved a manicured hand dismissively. "The Ghost King made it known. They say that you insisted on her singlehanded execution, after which you violated her remains," the courtesan wrinkled her nose. "A little gruesome for my liking, but it seems to have gained you support amongst your subordinates. I suppose you men are all the same, aren't you? Despite your ranks."
"I was not aware that such gossip mongers existed among my men," the General quirked a white eyebrow as he commented dryly, outwardly amused despite his relief at the empire's continued ignorance.
He had balked when Ember had first instigated the rumour, masterfully playing her part as his haughty pleasure maid, seemingly reluctant to share what her lord had supposedly confided in her and her alone with his troops. His initial objections had stemmed from an abject refusal to allow any of the Night Police to think of Sam in such a manner, but he had to concede his best friend's point. There was no surer way to ascertain that the Brotherhood girl would not be hunted in future than fabricating false confirmations amongst his troops that she had been slain by his hand. Phantom supposed that he was fortunate that footmen remained so for centuries with good reason.
"Maybe not, my lord," Desiree smiled thinly. "But perhaps you should be careful what you confide in that second rate whore of yours."
It was not until after he had dealt the blow that Phantom realised what he had done, immediately regretting his inability to control his murderous fury. Tendrils of smoke still wisped from the tips of his gauntlet-clad fingers, as he blinked to clear the aftershock of searing green from his vision as irritation at himself set in.
He had to have more self control than this. It had been his best friend's own intention to degrade herself in their eyes so that none would suspect her as his advisor and confidant, a decision he knew that he had no choice but to respect. If it was discovered that Ember McLain was divulging to him information regarding etiquette and the workings of Pariah's court that a midian of his standing would've long since mastered, it would spell the end of their deception, and he'd be damned if a bitter courtesan with nothing more than a sharp tongue was his undoing. For an instant their gazes locked, before Desiree lowered her head meekly in deference. Good, Phantom thought savagely. Let her fear me.
"Never demean Ember by referring to her as such ever again," the white haired ghost hissed, his eyes flashing. "She is nothing like you."
"I expect not," the concubine wrinkled her dainty nose in distaste as she clambered shakily to her feet, having already recovered from his assault. "With her mere scores of existence, she's done nothing more than scratch the surface of an art that I've had centuries to perfect."
Violence at the hands of arrogant, temperamental warlords was probably an ordeal that Desiree had long since learned to endure over the centuries, Phantom realised abruptly. The white haired ghost felt an unexpected stab of pity for the woman before him, fleeting as it was. He only hoped that neither he nor Ember would never have to sink to such degradatory measures in order to survive.
"Perhaps you misunderstood me before," the General enunciated coldly, fervently wishing that his best friend would return soon. "Although I doubt that I could've made myself any more clear. I have no need of your services, Desiree. Leave."
"The King seeks to reward you, and this is how you repay him?" Desiree's voice took on an incredulous tone, before her lips curved into a deprecatory smirk. "Or perhaps you require me to cater for your more exotic tastes?"
Her form shifted, and Phantom had to fight the urge to stagger backwards as Sam's eyes stared back at him, empty and lifeless as they did in the countless nightmares that plagued him, her neck bent at an awkward angle. Her arms hung useless at her sides, dislocated at the shoulder as she proceeded towards him in jerky, halting movements, in a manner akin to that of a bloody marionette.
"Get out," he roared, as found himself overcome by insurmountable fury, the blast from his wail shattering the illusion before him as Desiree was slammed roughly into the wall behind her with such force that it began to shatter, deep cracks growing outwards from where she had impacted its surface. If Phantom had thought himself livid before, it paled in comparison to the ferocity of his current wrath. She flinched, trembling as he approached her, his fists unthinkingly erupting in emerald flames.
Ember. His conscience reminded him as he noticed the spectral flames that she had taught him to use what seemed like eons ago. If nothing else, I must endure for her sake.
"If you value your existence," the reluctant General snarled, his voice dangerously low. "You will take your leave now. I have no need for a cheap whore."
"Is everything alright my Lord?" Ember queried tentatively out as she entered the General's bedchamber, her voice possessing a meek, subservient quality that she was quick to lose whenever they were alone. "I was told that you were not to be disturbed, but I thought I heard-" she stopped short in genuine surprise as she noticed a bloodied Desiree pinned against a wall before him, before her expression gave way to something unreadable, leaving Phantom with no idea if he was going to be berated or the butt of her amusement once they were in private.
"Shall I return later, Lord General?" the flame haired ghost demurred, her skirts spread wide in a curtsy.
"No," the white haired ghost enunciated curtly through gritted teeth as he released his hold on the battered concubine several feet off the ground. "She was just leaving."
"Yes, my Lord," Desiree acquiesced as she gathered herself off the floor, eager to take her leave.
"Quickly," Phantom snarled, and Ember raised an eyebrow as Desiree recoiled, fear etched into the lines of her lovely features. "Before I change my mind."
"What was that all about?" his friend queried wryly, once she was certain that the courtesan was out of earshot. "Although I suppose that that's one way to build a reputation."
"Later," the white haired ghost replied wearily, sinking into the ornate, high backed armchair as he poured himself a generous measure of liquor from the pitcher that had been set before him. If Ember wasn't going to demand an explanation, he wasn't going to provide one just yet.
"You should really stop drinking that stuff, dipstick," Ember chided in annoyance. "You've never been able to hold your drink. When I stopped off in the human realm I picked up something that's probably a lot better for you," she made a face. "Or at least the lesser of two evils."
"Coffee?" he questioned hopefully.
"I got you some food too," she quipped, setting a brown paper bag down before him. "I trust you don't need me to tell you to be discreet. And yes," she added, exasperation crossing her features. "There's coffee in there."
The flame haired ghost sighed softly, as she waited for the monosyllabic query that, like clockwork, never failed to leave Phantom's lips.
"Sam?" he whispered, his goblet held in a vice like grip as he nursed the potent liquor.
"She's fine," Ember assured, brushing blue locks from her face. "Which is a miracle in itself. Your little girlfriend's been becoming more and more reckless lately. If she carries on like this, it won't be much longer before the Night Police finish her off."
"She despises me," he stated morosely, reaching for the pitcher on the table.
"She does," his best friend conceded, eliciting a soft snort from the white haired ghost. Ember had never been one to sugar coat the truth. "Have you ever considered that it's not worth beating yourself up over a mere human girl who wants you dead?"
"She thinks that I've betrayed her," Phantom growled, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he recalled Desiree's illusion. "And her reasons are justified- I am just as much as a monster as she perceives me to be."
"You are no monster," Ember replied sharply, her eyes hardening as the white haired ghost averted his gaze. "Phantom, look at me. You made Sam no promises, right from the start. I know the situation is impossible but for now, we're left with no choice other than to bide our time."
"I cannot stand by and do nothing, Ember," Phantom roared, his eyes flaring deathly green.
"Then what do you suggest you do?" the flame haired ghost demanded, hot, angry tears forming at the corners of her green eyes. "Challenge the King? While he dons both the crown and the ring, you wouldn't last a minute against him. In another decade, maybe we'll have a chance. But for now, it's suicide."
"It's my life against a thousand others," the General parried, the rage in his words resounding throughout his chambers more acutely than the clashing of steel. "What other choice do I have?" Phantom whispered bitterly. "The longer we wait, the more humans innocent die by my hand," the white haired ghost hissed. "Pariah has made me a murderer."
"Innocents like me?" Ember queried, her voice dangerously low. "Have you forgotten that unlike you, Phantom, I was once human? I don't need your pity; death has made me no worse off."
"Not everyone is as tough as you are, Ember," the white haired ghost shook his head in half hearted amusement wrought from sheer despair.
"You'll be surprised at how resourceful they can be," she retorted dryly. "Humans are more resilient than vermin when it comes to survival."
"I'm sorry," Phantom apologised as he gently scrubbed a stray tear from Ember's cheek, remorse evident. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"You can't die dipstick," she breathed, the corners of her dark lips quirking upwards in the beginnings of a smile as she hugged him fiercely. "I won't let you. But if you ever bring this up again before you're ready, I'll kill you myself."
"But what if Pariah discovers what I truly am before I gain the strength to oppose him?" the white haired ghost questioned. "What then?"
"If the King realises the extent to which I defied him that night, twenty years ago," Ember stated softly, resignation evident. "Then we both die."
-
"You know," Tucker jested. "I really ought to invent some form of weapon that doubles up as a rubix cube for you two to amuse yourselves with when you get bored of skulking in dark corners while waiting for it to be safe to head home."
"Or how about some form of teleportation device that gets us back to headquarters quicker," Sam joked back, as she and Valerie sat huddled in an alley off Amity high street. "We wouldn't need a rubix cube with you around to amuse us."
Sam laughed as Valerie rolled her eyes at her partner, exasperated that she was encouraging Tucker's incessant chatter.
"I'm honoured that you still find me amusing," their tech operative replied with mock solemnity. "And here I was thinking that I'd exhausted reading to you every joke book in my proud collection."
"What makes you think that you haven't?" Valerie's reply was droll, and Sam was forcibly reminded of her friend's mentor, Vlad.
"Guys," Tucker abruptly warned them, all traces of humour leaving his voice. "Lay low."
Maddie's apprentice's senses were immediately on edge as she noted the careful gait of a pair of footsteps approaching as its owner crossed the high street. She frowned, perturbed by Tucker's warning. The enemy's movements were usually soundless- the footsteps belonged to a human. Although he or she was definitely not of the Brotherhood, judging from the lack of stealth required to minimise the advertisement of his or her presence, ordinary humans presented a minimal threat.
"Oh come on," Valerie swore, letting loose a string of profanities under her breath as the young man came into view. "You've got to be joking. What's that idiot doing out after curfew?"
"It's just a citizen, Tucker," Sam added, bemused. "He's not going to find us even if he tries."
"It's not him I'm worried about," their tech operative's reply was grim. "He's being followed by a member of Pariah's troops."
An icy chill shot down the back of Sam's neck, continuing its shuddering passage down her spine as she fought to reject the fear and cruel memories invoked. The only two times that the ghost hunter had ever encountered the Night Police, she had been completely and utterly overwhelmed, to the extent that Phantom had been forced to come to her rescue on both occasions. But things were different now, she told herself fiercely as they waited for the spectre's inevitable attack on the boy. She would never allow herself to defer to the Ghost King's troops; never again.
"Going somewhere?" the apparition rasped, materialising in front of the thin blond wandering the streets, and Valerie groaned in quiet despair as the young man was struck across the face with such brutality that he fell to the ground, crumpled and dazed from the blow.
"We have to help him," Sam declared, the calm assertion in her tone causing Valerie to sneak a glance at her in surprise. The content of Sam's statement aside, she might as well have suggested that they take a stroll in the park at noon the next day.
"Have you lost your mind? He's part of the Night Police," Tucker's words were fast and frantic. "Have you forgotten what happened the last time you were up against of them?"
How could she forget? Sam's lithe form shook with bitter mirth, catching Tucker's unspoken sentiment, the words her best friend didn't dare to utter were clear as day in the silence between them. This time, there's no Phantom to save you.
"Believe me," the ghost hunter gritted her teeth. "I'm trying to forget."
"Then what are you waiting for?" her tech operative demanded. "Get out of there."
"Third time lucky?" Maddie's apprentice fought to keep her voice light.
"My ass," Tucker snapped. "Get out of there before both of you get killed."
"But this different," Sam growled. "there were five last time, and one of them was ranked lieutenant. So believe me when I say that I can take one of them."
"Maybe," Tucker conceded reluctantly. "But as your techie, it's part of my job to place less faith in your capabilities than you do. And as a friend, I'm currently being forced to question my faith in your sanity."
"You're unbelievable," the lavender eyed girl raged, whispering as loudly as she dared to without alerting the member of the Night Police to her presence. "The enemy is toying with that boy's life."
"He's as good as dead anyway," Tucker argued fiercely. "Think you can get to him in the time it's going to take the enemy to disembowel him once he notices you?"
"Yes," Sam said stubbornly. "I can."
"Head back," their tech operative demanded. "Both of you, cut your losses and head back now."
"How are you going to stop me?" the ghost hunter challenged. "You're sitting miles away, cosy in Lancer's little tech room."
"Sam, no," Tucker yelled. It was becoming increasingly clear that Sam was going to disregard him completely. "Are you insane? Trying to take on the Night Police ordinarily is bad enough, but to attempt it at this stage in the lunar cycle? You take one step in the enemy's direction and I'm going to be forced to report your actions to Maddie."
"Shut up and let me do my job," Sam replied coolly as she flicked at the microphone on her communicator, ignoring Tucker's cry of shock and annoyance at the assault on his hearing.
"Valerie," their tech operative pleaded his other team member, who Tucker was perturbed to realise had remained silent throughout the entire exchange. "Restrain her. She's going to get you both killed."
"No," Valerie Gray replied softly, as she sought eye contact with her partner, giving Sam's free hand a reassuring squeeze. "I won't. Last time, I was too much of a coward to stay. I'm never abandoning you again, for better or for worse."
"Thanks, Val," Maddie's apprentice acquiesced as she gripped her partner's hand tightly in return. "I appreciate this."
"What's wrong with both of you?" Tucker demanded hotly. "Haven't either of you learned what happens when you go up against the Night Police?"
"But that's exactly it," Vlad's apprentice argued. "We have learned since then. That was six months ago. We're now faster, stronger, more experienced. The older members are capable of taking on the Night Police. It's about time we learned to do the same."
"So what do you propose we do?" Sam queried, quirking an eyebrow at her partner in mordant anticipation.
"Like we've been left with any choice," her partner snorted softly. "I take it that you're going to want to be the distraction?"
Maddie's apprentice favoured Valerie with a curt nod, her ghost gauntlets assembling themselves to her fingertips.
"And Sam?" her partner whispered imploringly, as Sam stepped out of the shadows to make her presence known to the enemy. "Please be careful."
The Night Police stiffened as he sensed Sam's presence, hesitating momentarily before turning to face the ghost hunter, providing her with the opening she needed, flinging a ray of artificially generated spectral energy at the enemy. The ghost snarled as it was flung away from its victim by the force of the blow to its left shoulder, spinning almost a complete circle in recoil before it fell to its knees.
"You," the spectre managed out, minor injuries momentarily becoming a secondary concern once he took note of Sam's features. "You can't still be alive."
"I think you'll find that I can," the ghost hunter replied grimly, taking advantage of the enemy's surprise to pepper the ground with ecto-grenades. She lunged towards him as they detonated, unaffected by the species-specific explosives.
A gutteral groan of pain alerted Sam to her opponent's location in the haze, her left hand clutching her right in order to enhance her aim as she fired on instinct, a violent obscenity leaving her lips when she realised that the Night Police had managed to evade her attack.
The dust was now beginning to clear, and Sam noticed with no little relief that her partner had managed to make it to the young man and was now standing between him and the enemy, shielding him from further harm. The blond boy had managed to sit up, despite the dark, sticky blood streaking the right side of his face, but Sam had her doubts if her partner had even noticed the improvement in his circumstances. Valerie's eyes were trained on the engagement taking place before her, her weight resting softly on the balls of her feet as she readied herself to step in and aid Sam in the event that the situation turning ugly.
"This is impossible," their enemy growled in denial, dragging himself away from Sam as the first tendrils of regenerative energy wisped and curled at the base of the stumps where the ghost's legs used to be. "My liege slew you himself. The General made an example of your execution the first night he entered the human realm. I was there with him," a note of pride entered the the Night Police's voice as he sought to justify his claims. "I was there when you groveled before him like the worthless mortal that you are. T-this is no more than some pathetic human trick. You cannot still be alive."
"Who's the worthless one now?" Sam hissed, black fury erupting within her as she advanced upon him. How dare the General garner such fear and adoration from those that he had once claimed to disdain. Phantom was nothing more than a liar and a coward, undeserving of the mindless respect of even the monstrous scum before her. She could no longer deny it; she had been stupid to even try. This was what he had wanted all along- to be seen as a demon by the demons themselves.
"Tell me, are your numbers dwindling to the extent that the rebels are being forced to clone themselves now?" the humanoid spectre bared rows of needle-like teeth in mockery. "Surely, that must be the only explanation. For General Phantom is as infallible as he is fearless. Under his leadership, we will finally crush your piddling attempts at resistance and conquer this god forsaken city in the King's name."
"Your precious General Phantom is scarce more than a liar and a coward," Sam spat. "You know nothing about him."
The Night Police blinked, meeting Sam's vehemence with mild confusion. "I can see why the Lord General derived such enjoyment from breaking you," his rubbery lips stretched in a grin. "Perhaps I should capture you and present you as a gift from my squadron. How could I deny my master the opportunity to kill you again? General Phantom-"
Sam started violently as her assailant's next words were twisted into a grating inhuman shriek as a second onslaught of explosives battered his form. Amidst the blasts, the ghost hunter's honed ears managed to pick up the familiar pitch of an ecto-blaster being rapidly discharged, a large proportion of the shots firing true.
"Sorry," Valerie smirked, her weapon still smoking as the Night Police crumbled to dust before them. "But he was getting to be rather repetitive conversation. I'm curious though," she added, a look of concern flickering across her face as she regarded Sam. "Were you actually going to let him trade insults with you until he had fully regenerated his injuries?"
"I could've handled him," Sam provided gruffly, fervently wishing the ghost hadn't been slain with Phantom's name on his lips.
"I'm sure you could've," even down the communicator, Tucker's voice was sarcastic and cold, but Sam chose to ignore the pang at his words.
"Can you stand?" Val offered, extending a hand to help the rescued boy onto his feet.
"So the stories are true," the young man whispered fervently, his gaze darting between Valerie and Sam. "The Brotherhood is more than just urban legend."
"Get off the streets," Vlad's apprentice advised kindly. "It isn't worth forfeiting your life just to defy the Empire's curfew."
"T-thank you," he stuttered in reply, gazing at the pair of girls with nothing short of reverence. But to Sam, the look of wonderment in his eyes appeared frighteningly similar to the fever that had overtaken the member of the Night Police when he spoke of the Ghost General.
"You never saw anything," Maddie's apprentice stated curtly as she turned to leave, the sharp edge of her voice cutting through the dismal silence of the night. It hadn't been been a plea for discretion on the Brotherhood girl's part. It had been a command.
"I liked him," Valerie stated lightly, as caught up with her partner. "He had spunk."
"Not enough of it," the ghost hunter bit out, fully aware that their tech operative was listening in on the conversation. "But he's definitely got more balls than Tucker has."
"I can't believe I'm agreeing with Tucker," Valerie conceded reluctantly, concern etched on her countenance. "But just because I'm sticking by you doesn't mean I'm not worried about you. I know that I'm normally the one that makes the reckless decisions but tell me," her best friend queried softly. "Is Phantom really worth pushing yourself to the point of suicide?"
To which, Sam had no reply.
-
A/N: I'm sorry that this was such a long time coming. But if it's any consolation, I'm back for good for at least the next year. This chapter has always had me perplexed, even before I had to put everything on hold for exams. Still, I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope that I haven't let my writing go in my long absence!
I'm pretty sure that I've replied to all your lovely reviews, but if I haven't, let me know and I'll reply asap.
Hugs and kisses,
Twisted