Chapter 8: Confrontations
I take a step back, summoning my compendium behind me to not draw attention.
In front of us were four people, two I recognized as Wrath, and other is my blue assassin with their hoods still up. The other two however I don't recognize. However if those guys are like the two I know, then I should not underestimate them as well. One of them has brown hair and was wearing a green jacket with blue pants. The other one was wearing a white striped, black suit.
The suited man walked ahead of the group before stopping. He had long black hair slicked back, revealing his forehead. The man also had dull orange eyes which was covered with reading glasses.
"So, we finally meet at last, the Messiah." He spoke, gazing at me before turning to Nyx. " Though I'm afraid that I don't recognize you, my dear."
"Does it matter?" She retorted, folding her arms.
"You know, I'm not like my compatriots with me. I prefer not to fight." He chuckled. "Especially against someone with the title that basically means The savior of mankind.
"Where would you even get that?" I ask. No one should know about that.
"That's not important right now. What is though, is why we are meeting face to face right now."
So he wants to talk, huh? I'd be more incline to believe him if Wrath doesn't a weapon sticking out of his back.
"What do you want?" Nyx says impatiently. "We're busy you know."
"Of course you are." He raises his hands, showing us that he unarmed. "I wouldn't want to waste your time either but certain things have forced my hand."
"Certain things?" I raised an eyebrow. I made sure that I was on the right page before pulling out the Fool arcana card. Kind of hard to do when you're trying to not draw attention to yourself. Or when you're not looking at it.
"Your appearance in this tower for starters, my dear Messiah." He looks at me with a grin. That is creepy. "I was told that you would appear in a special part in this "Tower of Demise". I was not told that you would have a partner, but I suppose that even he didn't suspect that would happen."
"Who is this person that told you about this?" I unsummoned my compendium and hold on the arcana card, prepared for anything.
"I do believe that you already know, judging from your face, right?" He flicks a strand of hair that fell on his face back to where it was.
"I see." Nyarlathotep has finally made his move, huh?
"You didn't answer my question." Nyx spoke, pulling out her sword.
"Feisty aren't we?" Wrath grins, reaching for the object from his back.
"Now, now." The suited man sticks out his arm in front of Wrath. "She has a point there. Let's be civil here.
"Whatever you say, boss." The red hooded man sighs and drops his hand into his pocket.
I glanced at Nyx, she looked back with annoyance clearly showing in her eyes.
I not happy about this either, but we need to be calm if we are going to get some information we were looking for.
Looks like she got the message and placed her sword back to her side.
"See?" The suited man smiles. "We can be civil here. As in good faith, I'll tell you why we're here. We want you to join us."
That is not something I expected.
"What?" Nyx reacted. Apparently, she didn't expected that as well.
"What's there to be surprised about?" He spoke. "We all have the same goal here: end the Dark Hour and destroy Tartarus."
Something's wrong here. Why would Nyarlathotep want the Dark Hour to end? His goal of destroying humanity would work he kept it up. No I already proved that to be futile, no matter how many time he tries to repeat time loop. What else is he planning?
"Then why don't you recruit SEES? They want to end the Dark Hour as well." I ask. Even if they really want the Dark Hour to end, that doesn't explain Nyarlathotep though.
"Ah those kids, bless their hearts." He smiles. "I know they want to help end this tower, but they are ultimately too weak to be of any use."
"If you really want to recruit us, then why have sent your assassins after us?" Nyx inquired.
She a good point. Why were they attacking us if they want us to be on their side? The fact that Wrath and the blue hooded weirdo nearly killed me a few times sends a wrong message. Also the way that Nyx is eyeing that brown haired guy, she's not amused ether.
"Assassins?" He raised an eyebrow. "Oh that. Just because you are the Messiah, it doesn't prove anything. We want to know if you were strong enough, and bring you back to our hideout. You exceeded my expectations by not only finishing a trail here, but also holding off my men as well."
"That doesn't explain why Nyarlathotep of all people wants the Dark Hour to end." I stated.
It is all because of him that we are here in the first place.
"Nyarlathotep?" Nyx turns to me. "Is this what you were going to tell me?"
I nod.
"It's because he cares for us." The suited man says." Our Lord had shown us the future, a future where has destroyed each other due to their pride, wrath, envy, greed and many other sins that we carry. While our lords live outside this shell that we formed on ourselves and do nothing about it. I wished that something was done about it and Nyarlathotep agrees! That is why he granted us power! To gave us the ability to change the future and realize our potential as humans!"
Now everything has made sense. The puzzle pieces had fallen into place, giving me the clear picture.
"This is Nyarlathotep we are talking about, how do you know he's not using you for his own agenda?" Damn it, I should seen this one coming.
The suited one began to laugh.
"Really now?" He spoke between the laughter. "You should not believe everything you're are told, you gullible child. If we were just pawns to him, then why did he raise all of us then? We were just abandoned kids, ready to die. He could've just ignored us and go after others with more potential. Yet he took us in, showed us the future, gave us the means to change humanity to fit our view. If he is using us, we to are using his gifts for our own purposes as well. It's an even trade."
"How exactly do you plan changing humanity with powers from the Crawling Chaos?" Nyx says, slowly reaching for her sword.
"You see humanity is like a tree, and we as individuals are the apples." He says, holding an apple out of nowhere. "Things like certain beliefs, opinions and rights can ripen some of us and spoil others. The reverse holds true as well. You know how one bad apple can ruin the rest. We plan to remove those things that separate us and make us one."
He crushes the apple in his hand.
"Humanity is too vast and spread out for such a thing to work. Even if you somehow manage to get all of Japan to share your worldview, the rest of the world will not." I countered.
"That is why some of us are already around the world, spreading the name of our lord. The followers will watch over the masses, ensuring everybody to see our point of view."
"And to those who won't follow your view?" I summoned my sword.
Wrath immediately removes the covering on his back, revealing a hilt of a sword. Before he could draw it, his leader extends his arm in front of him.
"Well..." He says. I can faintly see one of his hands glowing and a dark aura emitting from it." I can convince them one way or another."
"So join you or die huh?" Nyx states, placing her hand on her weapon's hilt.
"Even you must agree that humanity isn't perfect." The leader spoke. "If we as a species were meant to rise above our limited bodies. We must remain pure for our gifts to not be wasted. Even if that means that we must eliminate those that refuse to purify themselves."
He's completely insane. At least Ikusuki and Strega stays inside Tatsumi Port Island, these guys could be all over the world. It's impossible to travel the whole world and find all of them.
It's impossible with just Nyx and I to do alone at this point.
The guy takes one look at my face and sighs in resignation. "I see that both of you refuse to see reason."
He turns his back to us and walks beside the blue figure, who was not moving at all. I wouldn't be surprised if he was sleeping the whole time.
"Wrath, Envy."
Wrath pulls out his long sword and the green jacket man pulls out two knives and stood in front of their leader, still eyeing us.
Is that really their codenames? Emotions?
"Bring them back is you can, perhaps they can still be convinced. However above all else, Make sure they are no longer a threat to us."
"As you command." Wrath and Envy spoke in unison.
"Get us out of here." Their leader tapped the shoulder of the blue person.
*Bzt.*
With those two gone, I crushed the fool Arcana and unleashed its power. Nyx pulls out her sword and moves closer to me. The four of us that are still here are eyeing each other, waiting for one to make the first move.
Eventually Nyx was close enough to whisper to me.
"Those two are still in this floor."
I eyed her in surprise before looking back at our current foes.
"What do you mean?" I whisper back.
"I don't know why they didn't leave the tower entirely, but they are just across the bridge."
I'm surprised that they didn't just bring us while time is frozen. I would have to guess that there is a limit to the blue assassin's power. Better make a note of that.
"I could catch up to them in a bit." Nyx added. "Can you handle those two by yourself though?"
"Not sure." I answered. Wrath alone is challenging enough but I don't think handle two. Especially when they're empowered by Nyarlathotep.
"I don't know what you're planning." Envy cuts in. "But if you come with us peacefully, none of us will get hurt."
"Screw this!" Wrath spat out, charging towards us. "Let's just patch them up back at HQ!"
Damn it! I barely moved out of Wrath's sword in time. I jumped off to the side to give me some breathing room.
Envy sighs before suddenly disappearing and phased in behind Nyx with the intention to stab her.
She blocks the knives with her sword, then she grabs one of his arms and throws him across the platform.
"Tch." She scoffed. "No matter how fast you are, it's useless if I could clearly see you coming."
Envy rolls for a bit before landing on his feet. He resumes attacking Nyx.
I summoned the card Horace gave me and summoned Messiah with it. The persona quickly appeared and deflect an incoming attack of Wrath.
"What the?" The red hooded being leap back.
I pointed towards the long bridge. "Go after them."
Messiah nodded and quickly flew right in to Wrath, knocking the guy over. The persona flew fast enough that he became a small dot just before disappearing over the horizon in a matter of seconds
Minato. Orpheus spoke. I know he is the strongest out of five of us, but do you think he could stop them?
He can't and he knows it as well.
Then why? Thanatos does a have legitimate point.
Even if he can't stop him...
Nyx landed besides me. Envy rushed over to Wrath and helped him up.
"He should be able to stall them as long as he can." I spoke loud enough that only Nyx can hear.
"I see." Nyx nods. "How long?
"I don't have full understanding of their power, but Messiah is strong enough last a while."
"So the ideal situation is to promptly deal with these children and get over there as fast as possible."
"Of course we don't know what they are capable off, so they could finish him off in a matter of minutes."
"Then it's probably better to let their leader escape of now, settle with these humans and interrogate them later." She turns her eyes towards Wrath and Envy.
"Maybe, but at the very least we will some idea how he fights." I stretch my arms.
"But can he last long enough to get anything useful?" The goddess narrows her eyes at me.
"We'll just have to find out then." Just as we finished our chat, our two enemies stood across from us and blocked our path to the bridge.
"I got to say." Wrath says, reaching for something inside his hoodie. A second later, he grabs his sword with two hands. "You surprised me once again, Messiah. How many more tricks do you have up your sleeve?"
"And here I was hoping we could do this peacefully." Envy sighs.
"Oh please. You could tell that they were not willing to come with us."
"Mostly because you just charged ahead without thinking."
"Obviously to get the upp-."
"Yeah, shut up." Envy cuts off his ally. "Let's just kill these guys and deal with that thing as quickly as possible."
"It kinda looks like the monster he has, just less evil looking."
They never seen a persona? Yet they perform feats that impossible without an aid of one. No, Wrath said that one of them has something similar to a persona. What kind of powers did Nyarlathotep give them? Do they all have a different kind of power?
"Fine." Nyx steps forward."If you guys aren't willing to move aside. Then I'll just force you."
I walked beside her.
I know Messiah can't here right now, but I hope he last long enough and cause them enough trouble to force them to go all out.
Nyx and I got in to a stance while the other did the same as well.
We all made no attempt to move. I tried look for a weak point, anywhere that I could take advantage of to defeat them or to slip by. However, they got good defenses; I don't see any obvious openings. Plus even if I slip by them, there is nothing stopping them from following me. I rather not waste any more energy but looks like I have no other choice.
Time to awaken Alice.
I put my hand into my pocket to crush the card holding her. Power flows within me to fill the void that Messiah left.
Envy suddenly appears in front of me, knife ready to impale me.
With my quick reflexes, I manage to grab the knife just as it's about to hit my face. Of course holding a knife by the blade would still hurt.
"Did you really think that you could just stand there and power up while we would just do nothing about it?" He says, trying to push the knife harder.
As much I would like to, I know real life does not operate like that.
I responded by moving the knife out of the way and headbutting him.
Envy staggered back, causing him to let of both of his knives.
When he was far enough, Nyx got in between us and attempted to cut him. The man then jumped back to where he was and produced another pair of knives. Lucky for him that he came prepared.
"Let's go." Nyx says, straightening up charged after them.
I let the knife fade into my mind and ran in with her.
Wrath runs to my side and swings overhead, I block the attack and tried to deliver a kick to his side. He rolled over to dodge the kick and swings his sword at my legs. I leaped over them and try to strike him from above. The guy does a back handspring to dodge my attack and charges forward.
Our swords clashed into each other a few time before Wrath does a powerful one that causes me to block it. I try to retaliate by pushing against him as hard as I can, but he firmly holds his ground.
"Why don't you join us?" He ask. "We are going to change the world, wouldn't you rather be on the winning side?"
"Your idea of changing the world is brainwashing the entire human race and killing those that won't agree with your point of view with Nyarlathotep." I manage to push him back a bit.
"You can't seriously think all of them deserve to live to you?" He chuckles. "Even if you are the Messiah, must agree that not everyone can live peacefully with each other."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Someone like strega and Ikusuki will always exist weather I'm there to stop them or not."
"Then why do you stand by them?" He taunts. "I hope for your sake you're not going to say you believe in them or for the sake of others or some crap like that."
Is he trying to make me angry? Well he's going to try a lot harder than that.
"Because there are things worth fighting for." I knock him back a few meters. I don't give him a chance to retaliate by continuously attacking him. "Just because you lost faith in the human race, that doesn't give you the right to do anything you want."
"Are you saying we gave up?"
"I don't know what you been through, that's something you must ask yourself."
A strange pulse resonates my head. What's going on?
What's happening? A young voice spoke. What's going on?"
Alice has woken up I see.
Took long than expected, but at least she's here now. Orpheus said.
Huh? Alice questioned. Minato onii-chan, why is everything-
"It's not wise to be distracted during battle you know?" Wrath says, turning his sword at an angle to cut my neck.
Luckily, I reacted in time by moving my weapon to block the attack. Unfortunately he still manage to disarm me, sending my sword flying behind me. I should be thankful that at least landed far and not off the platform.
My enemy wasted no time charging at with bloodlust. I clench my fist.
"Looks like I won today-." And delivered a swift punch on to his face, sending him flying near the edge on his back.
"Don't think that sword is my only weapon." I muttered.
Onii-chan, are you alright? Your hand is bleeding!
My right hand is fine. It's not bleeding at all.
I mean your left hand.
What? Oh right, the one I grabbed the knife with. It's fine, dia would solve it. Can you guys explain to her what's been going on? I'm little busy at the moment.
Got it. Orpheus answered.
I looked behind me, my sword is of in to the distance. I look back at Wrath, he's starting to get up but he is also a lot closer to me.
I summoned a spare longsword and ran at my opponent. All I need to do is knock him out and he'll no longer be a threat, for a while at least.
Once I was close enough, I raise my sword overhead and swing at his weapon to disarm him. He meekly swings back to defend himself. Good; at this angle, his sword fly off the cliff and no one will have to get-.
*Kirik*
It broke. My sword broke. What happened!? It didn't even hit his sword yet. I eyed the fragments as they flew off to the side and I felt pain in my stomach from my enemy kicking me. I soon found myself flying away from him before colliding on to the ground. Right as I hit ground and recover my balance, I summoned another spare sword and glanced at Wrath. He quickly jumped back on to his feet and stretched his arms a bit, looking at me with a smirk.
I just realized something as well. I got these weapons from shadows. The very same shadows that were incinerated by my flare. Did my fire damage these weapons? It's possible but that wouldn't explain why it would shatter before reaching him. Plus looking at my current weapon now it seems to be in top condition.'Perhaps it's just a fluke' would be the ideal situation but I learned that is never the case.
He must have something to do with it. I cast Sukukaja, giving me enhanced speed. Soon after, I charged after Wrath again with the intent to disarm him.
*Kirik*
It broke again. This is starting to annoy me. Wrath suddenly with haste, traverses through the shattered metal and hits me with his arm, causing me to stumble back facing away from him. I summoned another sword and spun around to attack him in a different angle.
*Kirik*
It broke as expected. He make an attempt to grab me but with Sukukaja enhancing me, I was able to evade his grasp and jump back.
That confirms it. He's the cause to the weapons breaking. Seems like The sword that Horace gave me is at least resistant to that effect. However, I can't move on until I know more about Wrath's mysterious power.
I summoned a spear and threw it at him. He doesn't even try to block the incoming weapon.
*Kirik*
As soon as it gets close to him, the spare shatters.
I summoned six basic swords, holding three in each hand by the fingers. Yeah, I know it's an inconvenient way of wielding these weapons but I have to know.
With a burst of speed, I dash towards him and swing my weapons.
*Kirik*
I See. They all broke at the same time. That tells me it is something automatic or at the very least he is doing it unconsciously.
Wrath swings his sword though the flying metal right to my head. I bend my body back, narrowly dodging the tip of metal from hitting my eyes and moved back.
By the time all the metal fragments fell, I was far enough for some breathing space. Wrath is just standing there in a pose, daring me to come at him. I take the time to go through what I just learned.
Wrath has an unusual ability to destroy weapons. There seems to be no limit how many he can destroy at once (it was hard enough to hold six in just two hands). The Velvet sword (I just recently dubbed) is strong enough to negate the effect. My body is immune as well, but I suppose that is to avoid friendly fire between them. That just leaves two more things to find out about that ability.
"Aww, what's wrong?" The enemy taunted. He slowly walks towards me. "Is the kid upset the I broke all of your toys?"
I suppose it would look that way to him since I hadn't moved a bit when I was far enough back. Still, he seems to be over-confident right now.
"That ability of yours." I spoke, hoping to learn more it.
"What about it?" He tilts his head. "You hoping that I would slip up and reveal it's weaknesses?"
"Weaknesses? So there is more than one, huh?" that was easier than I thought.
"Wha-? Heh heh heh, Clever boy. However I won't fall for it twice."
Unfortunate.
"I should deal with you now before I slip up again."
He suddenly jets over to me with his blade out to puncture me. I was barely able to duck in time. It's now or never. I Summoned Envy's knife and swing back. Due to Wrath jumping back plus the knife's short length, I was only able to cut his red hoodie. For a moment though, I thought I was something unusual. Something gold and greenish I think.
Wrath checked where he was cut, making sure he was not hurt before eyeing the knife in my hand.
"Looks like I found one weakness." I toss the knife up, flipping it a few times before catching it.
His face contorts in annoyance before finally giving me a malicious look. "Are you sure? It won't last forever you know."
What? I look at the knife and sure enough, there tiny cracks all over the knife. So their own weapons can be used against them, but only for a limited time huh?
"Oh don't worry." He taunts me in a harsher tone this time. "Even if you did found a weakness, You will never stop me."
Cocky one aren't ya? I hold the knife reverse grip and got into position.
"A shame you're not joining us" Wrath gets into position as well. "You are strong, very strong. Imagine how powerful you must be had you been gifted by Lord Nyarlathotep."
"Gifted? He physically came to empower you?" It make sense. Out of all the other Outer Gods, it is often told that he active and frequently walk the earth. It wouldn't be a stretch that he would strengthen his followers to do his will.
"Not exactly. According to the boss, our Lord is not here right now."
What? He's not on Earth? Does that mea-.
"Ha! I know what you're thinking and you're wrong by the way." He sneers. "It's true that he's currently not on this realm right now. Our Lord is planning something big right now so he can't be bother to be here right now."
"Which is why you do doing it in his place then." Keeping the work alive, gaining more followers.
"Right-o kid! Right on the mark! So even if you somehow did stop all of us, It won't interfere with his plan."
That is a problem. Whatever his plan is, he is in a place where I couldn't physically reach right now. For now, the primary goal is to find Chronos and end the time loop. I'm pretty much running in a wheel until I deal with that. As much as I hate this, Nyarlathotep will have to wait until then. I'll deal with the obstacle in front of me first however.
"So how do you get your powers if he's not here?" I hope I can draw it out of him.
"Wouldn't you like to know." He laughs. "You won't find out however, unless you join us."
I doubt they would just let me join then leave peacefully.
"Then perhaps you were given something to help channel the power." Like an evoker to help channel the power of Persona. I'm strong enough to not require one anymore, but perhaps he has something similar. Or used to at least.
"Wha-?" Wrath steps back.
It seems I'm on to something here.
"Does it have something to do with that thing in your clothes." That gold and green thing? I'm taking a huge leap of faith here. Hopefully it's not misplaced.
"You saw that!?" He places his free hand his chest. Presumably where a pendant would be.
I nod my head. "That pendent is the source of your power."
I admit it's more inconspicuous then carrying a fake gun around.
"You!" Wrath's face grows furious by the second.
"Looks like I have figured out everything about your power. It's origins, the source, the abilities and even the weaknesses as well." Well one weakness, I still have one more test to run but he doesn't need to know that.
"THAT'S IT!" He roars loudly. "You're going down you little bitch!"
Well, I see his chivalry comes off when he's agitated enough.
!? HOLY-!
I had barely manage move out of a speeding sword's way in time. Wrath, consumed by his anger continued to relentlessly attack with such velocity. His assault forced me to do nothing but move back and evade his sword the best as I can. Even with Sukukaja assisting me, it is extremely difficult dodge all of this without requiring the knife to block part of the unrelenting onslaught.
"Damn it." I cursed. Where is he getting this energy and power!? The pendant is most likely the cause but there's no way I can get my hand on it while this man is still active.
I suddenly felt pain on my cheek. The fist that Wrath used to punch my face caused me recoil, opening me up for a kick or two in the stomach. Before his could strike me with his sword to finish the job, I was able to roll away in time. Taking advantage of the space I have, I leapt as far from Wrath as I possibly can. However, he is quickly closing in the distance in seconds.
I looked at the knife in my hand, it is completely cracked. I'd be lucky if it could handle one more blow before it shatters. I couldn't help but sigh, it's now or never.
I channel some of my energy into the knife and enchant the weapon with the power of Bufu. My back is towards Wrath, I'm at a huge disadvantage here so I better make this count. I summoned a spare longsword to do the same thing to it. The long sword is useless against Wrath right now. If this idea works, I have a way to hurt him until I get the Velvet sword back.
I hear his footsteps getting closer, but I'm not ready yet!
I took off in the direction of where the Velvet sword is. The ice has not yet fully covered the knife nor the sword yet.
The killing aura behind me grows closer.
Come on...
"Where do you think YOU are going!?" Wrath's voice becomes distorted.
Come on.
"I Won't LET YOU get there, you KNOW?." I couldn't help but shiver at his presence right now.
Come on! I would have been done along time ago had I just enchanted one weapon!
"IN THE NAME OF NYARLATHOTEP!" Just where does Nyarlathotep get these psychopaths anyways!?
There! Both of them are ready!
"I won..." I can tell Wrath is very close right now. His voice no longer sounding like before. Almost like he's possessed being right now, a puppet.
"Not today!" I yelled back.
I toss the bufu sword into the air before spinning around to face him. Before he could react, I vaulted right at him, swinging the bufu knife overhead. Unfortunately, I'm a bit too far for the knife to make contact with him.
"Kek kek kek! Useless." He laughs maniacally.
Well that would have been the case normally. However like enchanting a weapon with agi, where the opponent receives damage over time. Bufu has it's own useful ability. The ability to manipulate the ice on the weapon.
Like now, where I extended the ice covering the knife's blade to be as long as a sword.
"Wha-!?" Wrath tries to move out in time but it was too late.
*Drishk*
Success! It works!
"Gra-k!" Wrath reeled in pain, as the bufu knife hit and exploded on his chest. The force of the explosion cause him to stagger back a bit, but he's still standing. Not for long!
The bufu sword had just fallen past my vision but I manage to grab it before it hit the ground, leaving me in a perfect position to hit him one more time.
Taking a page off of Junpei's book, I wound up the sword and swung it at Wrath with full force.
*Drishk*
With Wrath already staggering from the last blow, the explosion from this one sends him flying across the platform on his back.
"Homerun." I muttered to myself, fading the now useless handle in my mind and sprinting to the Velvet sword.
That's good. Normal weapons seems useless with him and possibly with the others well, but enchanting them with the elements will negate that. Granted it seems like it can only survive one hit, but I'll take that over no hits at all.
My sword is just a few meters away. Past it and off at the distance where ground zero of my flare was, Nyx and Envy where locked in a dual as well. Envy is moving at such speed that I can barely see his blur moving all around Nyx. The only thing I could make out about him is that he is kicking up the dust and scoot, limiting my sight at them even further. From what I can make out, Nyx is holding the assault off well but I don't see any obvious point where she can counter attack.
Still, she's seems to be handling it pretty well so I don't think she'll need my help.
I was a still a bit away from the sword when I felt an immense speeding up to me. No way. There's no way a normal human, empowered or not can recover that quickly.
After casting Rakukaja to sharpen my defense, I spun around and put up my arms to block an incoming attack. Wrath's sword went into my left arm, but Rakukaja stopped it cutting clean off. My opponent swiftly moves his other arm though mine and grabs me by the neck before slamming me on to the ground. He holds me in place and places his sword just above my eyes.
I swear the more Angier one of us gets, the stronger he seems to be. Wait a minute.
"Now before I was interrupted. Looks like I won." Wrath cruelly smiles.
"No you haven't." I choke out, slowly moving my uninjured arm to him. I try to not make him notice it the best as I can.
"Cocky aren't cha?" He remarks. "Let me remind you of the situation you are in right now. I have you by the neck, the only weapon you have that can last against me is out of reach and your only ally is busy engaging my partner off in the distance."
"So?" I try to struggle out of his grip but he held on tight.
"So? Man even in the face of death you're fearless. I must applaud you for that. Well I would if my hands weren't so occupied at the moment."
I guess after dying so many time that you lost count, you learn to live with it. That's time travel for you.
"Any last words?" He says.
"Weren't you supposed to bring me back alive?" I did hear his leader say it if I'm not mistaken.
"Honestly I'd like to. I haven't have this much fighting in a long time, so I would like you to join us. However we both know you won't be convinced to join us. So it would be pointless endeavor to bring you back."
"You're saying that convincing the entire world isn't?"
"Oh it is. The difference is that we are sparing the ones that follow us and dealing others like you, removing them so they won't get in are way."
"Even if you can succeed such an insane plan, there will always be others that will refuse it you know."
"They will, because they must. A shame you won't live long enough to understand and see what I mean." He says, raising his sword.
Sounds like an excuse. When my hand is positioned correctly, I casted Garudyne at his chest. The high pressure of the wind that close to him caused him to loosen his grip on me and to fly far. His body tumbled off the edge, but he grabbed on just in time.
I jumped to my feet and casted dia on my arm. After making sure I had no other injuries, I made my way to the Velvet sword and finally grabbed it. When I turn around, Wrath had already climbed up and charged towards me. I match his speed and ran at him as well.
He raised his sword and swung down at me. I deflected that attack and tried to strike his arms. Wrath quickly dodged my attack by moving to the right and attempted to stab me. I retaliated by evading to the left and swing my weapon at him. He retracted his blade to block my attack.
"Others will see our way." Wrath said. He moved my sword away from him and tried to cut at my neck.
"I have refused to accept it. What makes you think the others won't as well?" I smashed the incoming sword away from me and vaulted at him at him.
"They have to or they die!" Wrath jumped out of my attack, causing me roll when I hit the ground to recover my momentum.
"Do you honestly think that they'll agree out of their free will, or fear?" I spun around and attacked him, to which he blocked and held our weapons in place."The threat of death can get followers, but never believers. Would you really follow a madman to do what he wants out of your own volition? Or because he put a gun to your head?"
"As long as the people follow us, it doesn't matter how they feel. They will understand in the end and they will accept us." Wrath slammed into me, knocking me back but I recovered in time to deflect a a sword from cutting me.
"That is how rebellion starts!" I ducked from another attack. "Oppress people in fear long enough and they will fight back! A civil war will break out between the rebels and loyalist that'll cause more people die then you intend. Can you live with that?"
"Silence!" Wrath yelled. He's letting his emotions getting out of the way. It's easy enough to deflect his attacks with little effort now. However, his newfound strength is giving me difficulties to counter. One wrong move and I could lose an arm. "What do you know about me?! You never been kidnapped. You were never forced to give up everything you held dear. You never been experimented on! You were never deemed a failure and left to die!"
"You think that gives you the right to change the world?" I ask. I have to wait for the right opportunity.
"Shut up!" He all but spat out. "We are saving the world!"
"No, You're just taking out your anger at it."
"You little shit!"
"I don't claim to know what you've been through or how you felt at the time." I evaded an overhead swing. "However, you're planning control the masses, force them to follow your way of life and kill the others that don't fit the requirement of your rules. Sound familiar?"
"Tch!" My words must have affected him because he seemed to slow in his attacks.
Now's my chance!
"You are no better than the guys the experimented on you!" I headbutted him, causing him to stagger back.
I could kill him right now. He's wide open and won't be able to defend himself. However, I won't. Enemy or not, he's still a human being. Because of the time loop, I had plenty of chances to kill Ikusuki and strega to prevent my death. Perhaps I could've if I lost my sanity long ago, but I held on to my humanity then and I'll hold on to them now. Just because Nyarlathotep manipulated his emotions to serve him doesn't mean he's completely evil yet.
Instead, I extend my free arm to take the source to his power: the pendant around his neck. Luckily I've already made an opening moments ago with the knife, so I'll just to reach in and grab it from there. My fingers are just above it right now. Without it, he'll no be a threat, and I can focus my attention on the other-.
Do you seek power?
Suddenly an image flashed into my mind. An image of a being with grey skin, full of eyes and tentacles. The being was humanoid and was not at the same time.
Everything seems to fade into a grey hue, almost if time had stopped even more than before. I could see the face of Wrath's angered expression. Looking of to where Nyx and Envy are fighting, I could see the sparks that are between their weapons.
What is this?
Do you wish to know?
The being flashed into my mind again. What is that thing?
Your mind was locked away from you...
What does that mean? Who are you?
Open it, and you will find out the truth...
Open what? What truth?
Your past will be revealed once again...
What?
Open the pendant...
Open the pendant? Find the truth? My past? What does that even mean?
Open it and all shall be revealed and more...
This has to be a trap. It has to be. That pendent is the source of Wrath's power. The power that was given to him be Nyarlathotep. I know all this, yet I feel compelled to open it like my body has no will of it's own. When my hand grasps the pendant, an unnatural chill shakes my body. Yet I feel a strange sensation of warmth from within. My finger rest on the switch to open the pendant. All I have to do pull it down and-.
?!
Color all of a sudden fills the dull surroundings.
I'm sorry, Minato. A familiar voice spoke.
Messiah?
Suddenly pain shoots up my body. My legs, arms, torso and my head are in complete agony. It feels like a thousand needles are stabbing my body and most of them are in my head. I could barely stand up straight let alone think clearly enough to ignore the pain.
Pain. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stopitstopitstopitstopit STOP IT!
What the? What ********?! Thanatos spoke?
It **** like that I ******* after all. Orpheus?
What do you ****?! Alice? What's ********* to *********?!
Why am I having a hard time recognizing these voices?
Quickly! Messiah said? *** must ** back into *** card ****!
***!
If you **** help ***, ** could die!
**! **! For his ****.
The pain is suddenly dulling down. I found myself grabbing something from the man in front of me.
What was I doing?
What are you waiting for? Remove Wrath's pendant now! Thanatos yelled.
Pendant? Wrath? What's going on?
What? Did you lose your memories again? He asked.
Losing my memories again? Wait? Did I lose them before? When did that happened?
Calm down! Orpheus cuts in. I don't think he lost his memories. He's just having a hard recalling things right now. Probably because of what just happened a second ago.
What's the difference then? Thanatos tilted his head.
He'll recall them soon. He just needs time to recover from the ordeal.
Wait what? What happened?
!?
I see red everywhere. An incredibly painful sensation runs throughout my left arm. Soon, the comprehension part of my brain finally sets in on what just happened. The guy in front of me just cut off my arm.
"Sorry to cut in like that." He muttered.
Jerk.
"But you had such an invitation, that I would be a jerk had I refused."
You're already one.
The man tries to swing again, but I already jumped back to avoid the fatal attack. As soon as I jump back, I let go of my sword to grab on to my wound. The moment my hand is even near the wound however, I couldn't help but grunt in pain. My left hand is hand is ahead of me. Unfortunately, the only thing that is standing in my way of my removed limb is the figure that responsible for the removal.
Make em pay! Thanatos roared.
Now is not the time to give in to your rage! Countered Messiah. From what I learned from facing the two people you sent me to fight, giving in to your emotions seems to strengthen them a lot. You would be doing what that person would want.
I don't want to hear that someone who failed at his one job! he argued,
I admit. I messed up, but do not make the situation worse!
Guys! Orpheus interjected. Now it's not the time!
"You had a chance to kill me. Your hand was ready to dig into my chest and tear out my heart, but you didn't take it. I am disappointed in you." The figure said, walking towards me. I keep moving back until I hit the edge of the platform. "For the so called 'Messiah' that saved the world from the Fall, I expected more from you."
How does he know about that? It's not supposed to happen until much later. Plus why is he using past tense?
"Who are you?" Pain and shock overtook me, I collapse to my knees.
The man stopped just in front of me. Even though his blood-red hoodie is covering is his face, I can still see his face looked confused for a second before twisting into a bloodthirsty grin. He muttered something to himself before speaking loud enough for me to hear.
"I don't see why I should tell a disappointing corpse." He raised his katana over his head, preparing to strike down.
Suddenly an explosion echoed from a platform near ours, green smoke rising from the source, saving me for a few seconds.
"Tsk." he mumbled, lowering his katana and walking towards the explosion. "And he claims I would be the first to use it."
"What are you-."
"Consider yourself lucky, or not." He interrupted, "When I am done with your friend, you are next. With the state you are in now, you can't do anything other than doing what I want."
I could feel my rage building up. Like Thanatos, I wanted to choke the person despite my missing appendage. Messiah is right however. Based on what he said, plus what little I am able to recall about this guy at all. I had a theory based on what I seen on those guys. If it is true, then giving in to a specific emotion will make it worst. With an act of desperation, I summoned my compendium and slammed it on the ground.
What are you doing!? Orpheus asked, panic rising in his voice." One was hard enough, you won't be able to handle two without heavy repercussions.
What choice does have?! Thanatos countered. If he does nothing, she could be killed!
Then what would happen after? There is a chance that he would be crippled for life!
Then it is up to lady luck, I open the book and pulled out the Arcana of Death. Thanatos and I spoke in unison.
Per. So. Na.
Per. So. Na.
I tightened my grip on the card.
As the card shatters in my palm, blue flames surround my entire body. Unimaginable power flows within my veins, giving me the strength to once again stand on my feet. I close my eyes and series of images flashes in my mind.
SEES hanging out and having fun at the dorm.
Gekkoukan High.
The Dark Hour.
Strega.
Nyx and Erebus.
The car crash where my parents died.
Igor and Elizabeth in the Velvet room.
Many more images fill my mind. However I don't recognize these people or places in those pictures, yet I feel a strong sense of familiarity when I see them. So these are the lost memories Thanatos talked about.
I open my eyes to them immediately narrow them at a retreating figure. I now remember who he is now. He is the man who serves Nyarlathotep with other followers. The guy that I fought a couple of times. Wrath, that is who he is called. He is the one who cut off my arm. He is the enemy!
Nothing else matters. Not SEES, Nyx, Nyarlathotep or even the fact Wrath is human. He will pay!
With burning fury, I dashed towards him picking up my dropped weapon along the way.
"Wrath!" I roared, raising my blade overhead.
The guy in question spun around and manage to block the attack. However the impact of my attack had sent him soaring across the platform, landing face first on the foot of the long bridge.
I chuckled at the pathetic figure and started advancing on route to him.
Wrath slowly got up and got into a prepared fighting stance. Not a second later, his eyes widened at the sight of me.
Surely he's not that afraid of me? I haven't done anything to him. Yet.
His eyes darted to something behind me before settling on me again.
"W-what the?! Your arm!" He stuttered, pointing at me.
"My arm?" I tilted my head.
I looked back to where he was looking at and low and behold: my severed arm was just lying there. My vision turned red as I turned back to him.
"Yeah, You cut it off!" I yelled in anger.
"But-."
I didn't give him the chance to finish whatever he was going to say. I lunged at him with my sword and try to skewer him. Suddenly with a burst of speed, he was able to roll out of the way and attempted to attack me on the side. With little effort, I causally bend my body to evade the sword and flicked mine in his direction. Wrath manage to block my attack, but my strength caused him to stumble back. I'll give him credit because he recovered in time and tried to attack back.
What are you doing? Orpheus asked. If you gave in to your emotions, he'll get stronger as a result.
Is that a problem? Thanatos asked.
How can you not see that it is?
The only problem I see is that Minato became a lot stronger but his opponent is too weak for him to test his power.
Are you saying you want to make him more angry so Minato could have a better foe to fight?! Thanatos, are you insane?! Even more so than usual?
What's insane about wanting a good fight? Thanatos chuckles.
I agree.
W-what? Orpheus stuttered.
I'm going to make him pay for cutting off my arm, and a simple defeat won't settle my rage.
That's the spirit! Thanatos cheered. Let's get him!
Already on it.
I dodged Wrath's incoming attack, and used my knee to hit him in the gut. As he was recoiled in pain, I lunged over and grabbed him by the neck. With my left skeletal hand choking the life out of him, I dragged him over to the long bridge and dangled him off the edge.
"Nice to see you still hanging around here." I said.
"Grk. Heh, asshole." He choked out. "To think you could do even that as well. Are you sure you're human?"
"More human than you at least." I growled at him.
"Says you. I bet you're not even noticing it, aren't you?" He grins.
I grew tired of his voice. I dropped my sword next to me and place my right hand on his chest. When everything was ready, I loosened my grip on his neck and blasted him with Garudyne. With power of the Fool and Death arcana powering Garudyne, the blast sended Wrath flying at supersonic speed across the bridge.
I immediately picked up my sword and ran across the bridge after him. With the power of the Fool and Death arcana, I I should make it over there in less than a minute.
You think he'll live? Thanatos asked.
He has to be. I'm not done with him yet, so he better not go over or under the platform just because I miscalculated.
Minato? Orpheus says, sounding worried. Are you alright?"
Fine. Better than ever, why do you ask?
You do know this is not how you would normally act right?
Oh relax. Thanatos spoke. He's in good hands.
And that is what I'm worried about. Messiah, aren't you going to say something?
It's fine. He said, joining in the conversation.
See? Thanatos says joyfully. Even he agrees.
Don't get me wrong. Messiah continued. I rather not see him act like a monster. However the Death Arcana is already influencing his heightened emotions, he won't be able to think rationally until the issue is dealt with.
But-. Orpheus tries to speak.
It's better to let him vent out the anger now then to bottle it all up. Messiah finished up. Besides, he'll most likely be more reasonable when Wrath is out of the picture.
...Fine. I let it slide for now.
About time too, I can see the other end of the bridge at long last. Wrath is struggling to get up. I ran past him and stopped just at the foot of the teleporter. Placing my hand on the ground and place the Mudo spell there, as a trap if he tries to escape.
"Damn it!" He swore, placing his hand on his pendant. "My lord, I need more power!" I feel his energy getting stronger, good.
He should be able to put up a decent fight now.
I fazed in front of him, attempting to decapitate him. Wrath was quick enough to deflect the attack and counter it. I moved out the sword's range and kicked him the gut. As he was recoiling, I dove at him raising my weapon overhead. He moved back far enough for me to miss, causing me to make an impact crater where I landed.
I didn't give him a chance to do anything however. As soon I as landed, I immediately went after him attacking endlessly. With my unrelenting attacks, he can't do anything but defend himself. He would sometimes try move to the side and try to attack from a different angle, but I would swiftly catch on to his tactics and moved accordly to get the upper hand in this 'fight'.
Eventually, I weary of this battle and wanted and end him now.
"Brave Blade." I uttered.
With all my strength, I raised my sword and slashed down at my enemy. Despite his best efforts to defend himself. The moment my sword made contact with his weapon, his only means of defense shattered and send him falling to the ground. Wrath immediately rolled out my follow up attack, but the impact of my attack caused another small crater. One of the flying debris that flew out because of the impact end up hitting him in the leg. I extended my fleshy, red hand at the retreating figure and casted Agidyne. While the flames did set him on fire, he doesn't seem to be in much pain because of it.
"Tch." looks like he's resistant to fire, though he still looks heavily singed when the fire died out.
Fair enough, I still have plenty of other options.
Wrath is slowly limping away from me, I turn my eyes toward the teleporter. Oh I'm not done with him yet. I fired Garudyne in front of where he way going, sending back toward me. I balled up my left fist and delivered a punch to his face, knocking him closer to the teleporter.
He slowly got up, taking a look at the glowing object in front of him before turning back to me.
"Looks like that backfired for you." He smiled arrogantly, moving back until his foot got stuck on my trap. "Huh?"
"Checkmate!" Got him right where I want him. I dash right at him with my sword ready to finish him off.
Once Wrath gave up trying to move his legs, he look up at me with annoyance, a bit of fear was showing as well. He hastily dug his hand in his pocket for something. Shortly as he grabbed it and aim it at me, I immediately recognize the object in his hand. It's a gun, damn it he got me there.
Tch. Thanatos scoffed. As if something like that could hurt you.
What do you mean?
Let me show you.
I feel my body shift to the side just as Wrath fired his gun. Despite how fast the bullet is going, I could somehow see clearly where the bullet is going while I moved far enough to avoid the trajectory. I lifted my blade in the direct path of the bullet. Right as the bullet hit the edge, red smoke suddenly exploded obscuring my vision.
"What the?" Where did that smoke come from? The bullet?
I see, it was a flare gun that he shot at me. Clever. That extra second won't save you though.
"Gha ha ha ha ha!" I guffawed. "Death awaits you!"
I burst out of the smoke, with my sword ready to kill him. Wrath's face with stitched in fear before turning mad, struggling to free himself.
Defiant to the end I see.
I ran right at him, time seem to slow down at this very moment. Every step I take raises my anxiety. The closer I get, the more the blood pumps faster and faster. Once I was close enough, I swing my blade at him to finish him off.
Unfortunately, the Mudo spell expired the worst time ever and my prey fell into the teleporter. Fortunately I was still close enough to still harm him. My sword cut deep into his stomach, but he fell through before I got the chance to cut more than half way.
Should we go after him? Thanatos asked.
I don't know, should we? Whether I come after him and finish the job or he bleeds out on the floor, he still dies at the end.
Good point. The god chuckles.
Okay, I'm stepping in now. Orpheus cuts in. Minato, I think it's time you remove the Arcanas.
What? Why? Thanatos argued.
And I was having fun as well.
He's gone now. Orpheus said. There no need to waste your energy trying to maintain both of them.
I have to agree as well. Messiah joins the conversation as well. Sanity aside, It's amazing that you are still conscious and well right now. Even though the last time you used just one in an extended period, you fell unconscious and you body was numb for a while.
So he's just adapting, who cares? Thanatos says. That just proves that he's getting stronger.
That may be the case, but I seriously doubt that one day of training can make him improve this much.
Does that mean there is something else that making me stronger then?
Perhaps, but we don't know that that is. For all we know, it's just temporarily so the best thing to do is to remove the Arcanas now before it wears out before then.
Fine, how about this? Thanatos spoke. Everybody that want Minato to stay as he is, say 'aye'.
Aye.
And everybody that want him to remove the cards say 'No'. Orpheus countered.
No. Messiah voted.
So two for two, huh? Thanatos says, annoyed. That's dumb.
So what happens now?
No. Hee-ho. Jack, who has been silent for a while now just spoke.
Huh? Thanatos said. Crap, I forgot you were here.
Why were you quiet anyways?
I didn't want to bother you at an important matter at the time, with your raging insanity and what not. Hee-ho. Jack answered.
I was not that insane.
Looks like three on two now. Orpheus said, with a hint of smugness.
Damn it!
Whatever.
Quickly as I removed to two cards, all my strength fades from my body. I manage to remain standing for a second before collapsing in my hands. Moments later, everything that I said, done and even thought while I was strengthened by the Death Arcana had finally crept in to my senses.
Wow, I was a complete monster.
No. Thanatos said. You were awesome!
I fail to see how killing a guy, enemy or not be awesome. Orpheus countered.
Well there is nothing wrong it. Thanatos shrugged. The jerk cut off the kid's arm, and he wanted revenge. It is only natural.
Yes, because cutting open his stomach and let him bleed out in pain in a twisted tower is the best way to get revenge. Orpheus sarcastically replies.
Right. I better get to him now. The least I could do is give him a painless death if I can't heal him.
Just as I got up, I just notice something out of place. It's actually a big deal if remember correctly. I raised my left arm and looked very closely at it.
It looks fine. Thanatos said. What is the problem?
That's exactly it. Last time I check, Wrath sliced my arm clean off. So unless I'm hallucinating this, I should be looking at nothing here.
Right. I forget you humans can't regrow limbs like that.
So I assume you have nothing to do with this, Thanatos?
Nope.
Messiah?
Strange as it is, I could make you regrow your limbs. He answered. However, I would have to be there directly if I were heal it that fast. Otherwise the way I am now, it would take months.
Then how is this that possible?
Perhaps it was the power of the Universe? Orpheus suggested.
That's a possibility. However, I wasn't even close be reaching at that state yet. Plus I only use two of the major Arcanas, so I doubt I had reach the kind of power with just two out of many right now.
True, but remember that the Universe is practically unlimited. Messiah answered. Even just by tapping into a fragment of it's potential, regrowing lost limbs wouldn't be much of a stretch.
I feel like the Universe is making me less human every time I know more about it.
More like making you more than human. Thanatos commented.
I heard something landed behind me. I turn around to see Nyx sighing. She was dragging something behind her as well. It was the body of Envy, who was thankfully only unconscious.
"I was wondering where you are." Nyx said, dropping him. "Where's the other one?"
I pointed at the teleporter. "I manage to harm him before he manage to escape."
"So you opted to kill him then? I assumed Thanatos was influencing you?"
"It wasn't on purpose." I argued.
"Doesn't matter whether you mean it or not. " She waved her hand dismissively. "You may of just ended his life. What matters now is what are you going to do about it. Are you going to run away from it? Or are you going to live with guilt on your shoulders?"
I sigh to myself.
I pretty much have to at this point. Plus I doubt Nyx would let me redo time all over again just to fix this. With Nyarlathotep making his move as well, I can't afford give him more time to finish his plans.
"Uuhhh..." Groaning was made from below us.
I walked towards the waking guy.
"Finally joining us huh?" Nyx says to the fallen Envy.
I knelt down in front of him.
"Ready to answer our questions?" I asked him.
"…" He murmured something, but it was too quiet to hear.
I learned closer to him. "Care to repeat that?"
"…"
This is definitely a trap.
"What?" I asked, pretending to move closer to him.
"...Die!" He shouted, pulling out yet another knife from within his sleeve and moved it quickly to my face.
"Tch." Nyx was not amused.
Before I move my hand to reflect the knife out of the way, the knife stopped moving any further than where it started.
"Gurrrk!" Envy grunted in pain, trying to keep himself from screaming.
Nyx had jammed her sword into his elbow, pinning him to the ground. She finished her attack by stomping on his back, digging her heel deep into his flash.
"Gahhhhhh!" Envy let out his voice at last.
"Must you be rough?" I ask my partner.
"As long as he understands who he is dealing with it." She replied, looking down at him with annoyance.
I removed the sword stuck in Envy's arm and returned it to its owner. I placed my hand on the wound and casted dia, closing up the opening.
"W-why." The man finally spoke.
I looked down at him.
"We're enemies." He continued. "Yet, you would heal me. Why?"
"Because we can't get information from a corps." Nyx answered.
"And what makes you think I'll tell you anything? Hahaha-gah!" He screamed from a sword impaling his shoulder.
"Would you rather have a civilized conversation or be tortured for information instead?" I ask him. "Remember that the woman that defeated you is still here, and she seems to have a grudge against you."
"Why would she?!" He responded franticly. "I'm the one that lost and ran away!"
"I hate plenty of things." She answered, leaning in close to him. "I hate losing repeatedly, I hate being used, and I definitely hate being left in the dark."
Why is she looking at me? I already told her I'm going to explain what's going on.
I removed the sword again to heal the wound.
"Are you at least willing to answer a few questions?" I said slowly.
"Fine." He grumbled. "As long as the bitch doesn't stab-Gahhhhh!"
Without moving my head, I glared at Nyx. She returned the gesture and we found ourselves in staring contest.
I eventually lost the battle and turn back to envy, sighing. I just can't get used to that look she gives me.
"Lay off the insults first." I stated.
"Wow, she got you whipped aren't you?" He mocks me. "The great 'messiah', reduce to-aggghhhh!"
Huh, now where did that fire come from? I certainly didn't set his hand on fire or anything like that.
"Want me to put that out?" I asked in a low tone. Fire is dangerous you know?
"Alright! Alright! I'll play nice!"
Well look at that. The fire suddenly stopped from spreading to the rest of his arm and is dying out. Once again, I removed the sword stuck in his back before healing all his wounds.
"And you call me rough." Nyx muttered. "You're like the perfect interrogator. Harm them as much as you want and heal away everything you did.
"You are called Envy right?" I said, ignoring her. "Why do you name yourselves after emotions?"
"Your not going to ask for my real name?" He raised an eyebrow. "N-not that I'm going to tell you!"
"Does it matter?" I bluntly replied.
"Of course it does!" He snapped. "People are going to realize that I'm missing you know!"
"So you're someone of great importance then?"
"Uhhh."
"There is a chance that he just has a big ego you know." Nyx added.
"That's a possibility." I agreed, nodding my head at Nyx. "We'll just have to find out, if they do a missing person report in a few days."
"You do know that my partners will know as well right?" Envy said.
"Which brings me back to my original question." I turn back to him. "Wrath, Envy. Why pick names like those?"
"They represent our sins. We name ourselves these emotion to remind us of the suffering, of why we fight."
"Sins?" Nyx questioned.
"The sins of humanity. The vices that stop us humans from being perfect." He clarified.
As in the Seven deadly sins? "There are seven of you then?"
"That's right. Though I suppose that is obvious from what I just told you. We seven, are spread all over the world to continue our work."
"Where exactly in the world?" I need details.
"I don't know."
"If you're going to lie." Nyx presses her foot down harder. "At least make it believable."
"Agh! It's true! We weren't giving all information in case something like this happens." Envy gasps in pain.
"But you were still given information through." I said, glaring at him.
"Okay! Okay! All I know is that One of us is in America, one somewhere in Europe and the last one is in Africa." Envy relaxes after Nyx lessened her pressure on him.
"That's all?" Seems a bit too spread out to properly communicate.
"You just saw four of us here." He clarified. "I don't know about the other two. I was originally stationed in the Middle East and we were able to communicate because we are a lot closer."
By the other two I assume he means Wrath and the blue hooded man. "What about your leader?"
"I-I don't know."
"This again?" Nyx moves her foot to his neck.
"I don't know because we don't usually meet face to face!"
"Why not?"
"We haven't seen each other in years!" He yelled. "Most of the time I get my orders from a secure message, but this is the first time he told me to meet him directly at all."
"Does anybody know where he would be?" I inquire.
"Your best bet is to get his 2nd in command then. I'm sure he could lead you on the right path. If you can somehow manage to break him at all." Envy confessed. Now we are getting somewhere.
"Who would that be?" I placed my hand on his shoulder.
"He goes by the code name, Lust."
"That wouldn't be the man in the blue hood right?" I squeezed his shoulders bit. Not hard enough to hurt him, but enough for him to feel it
"No, that unusually quiet guy would be Sloth." He clarified.
Unusually? I don't think I ever heard him say any words.
"Out of country then." I sigh.
Great. Three huge places to look and no hint to start us off with.
"We should wrap this up before we are trapped here." Nyx said.
"Right." I nodded.
We already wasted enough time fighting two large battles.
"Last question. Who are you people?" I have plenty more questions but this would have to do for tonight.
"We are the Sins of Humanity. We are the ones who live with sin as our name to remind us of humanities failures. We serve our lord Nyarlathotep, in order to spread our words and change humanity!"
Sins of Humanity. Nyarlathotep's party. All this information yet we're still nowhere closer to the main picture.
"Finished?" Nyx interrupted my thoughts. "We're almost out of time."
"What about Him?" I pointed to our captive.
"Here." She says, using her foot to turn him on to his back.
"What? Are you taking me with you guys?" Envy asked, slowly getting up.
A foot connected to his face, knocking him out immediately.
"No." She replied, picking him up and his knife as well. Something on him dropped, but Nyx doesn't notice.
"Where are you taking him then?" I asked, confused at her actions.
"We can't bring him back with us." She answers while walking to the edge. "However, we can't just leave him here in the open as well. Someone is be bound to be looking for him eventually."
She can't be suggesting we throw him off the cliff?
"There has to be some place we can keep him hidden." I stand up.
"The is the only thing I can think of right now." She says walking off the edge.
Wait, what?
While she was busy jumping in to the abyss, I made my the to the object. It was a black container, small enough to fit in a pocket. What could be hiding in there? I open the box to then instantly feel ill.
Inside the box was a small pendant. A small golden pendant with the sides covered in some sort of green material. Almost the exact replica of Wrath's pendant, minus the fact there doesn't seem to be something to wear it with.
So Envy has one to as well apparently. Orpheus commented.
Then I was right about it being a source of their power then.
I reach out to the pendant. Right as I got to touch the thing, the same chill shook my entire body. I try to tough it out as I try to lift the thing to get a better look.
Power is within your hands.
The strange voice spoke again, but I was expecting it to come this. I'm more then prepared to resist the temptation for now.
From the outside, it just looks like a strange looking pendant. The real secret is most likely from within. Considering that I'm being tempted to open it though, it's probably best that it stays closed. Some things are best unknown to somebody else. Still, this is the first thing I have a to a clue. I placed the pendant back into it's box and shoved it into my pocket. It's probably better if I store it in my mind but I rather not deal with the constant temptations in my sleep.
Moments later, I hear something cracking from below me. Soon after, the noise was followed by flapping of wings. The flapping moved further until Nyx flew up from the edge and landed in front of me.
"I don't know if any of them sense each other, but at the very least they won't be able to get to him without risking his life." Nyx continued to talk the moment she landed.
"You pinned him?" From below the platform? "What if he yells and the others heard him?"
"Then we have to be here the instant the Dark Hour hits and cover his mouth as soon as we're done with him."
"I see." I nodded my head in agreement.
It's quite ingenious actually. I kind of forgot time works differently here. While 24 hours are running outside, only an hour will pass here. Morbid as it is, We don't have to deal with constantly feeding him to survive.
"Let's go." I said, turning to the teleporter. The moment I took a step, I found myself falling. I would've hit the ground if it weren't a pair of arms wrapping around me, halting my decent.
"You alright there?" Nyx spoke behind me. "You didn't wear yourself out again did you?"
"Maybe." I didn't fall unconscious this time, that's a good thing. So I must be improving.
"Here." She moved to the side, offering her shoulder.
I accepted her offer and we both moved into the teleporter to the main floor.
"Wow." Nyx said as soon as the white light faded. "You really went after him did you?
I looked at the spot where Nyx was looking. There was a huge pool of blood on the foot of the teleporter. A trail from the pool was also seen to exit of the tower as well.
"I should have been more in control." I said in a low tone. "This wouldn't happen had I kept my emotions in check.
"Come on." She started moving towards the exit. "You can mourn for him later. Right now we need to get out before the hour ends."
I didn't respond as we move to the doorway. The yellow moon and green light illuminated our bodies when she opened the door to the outside world.
"I got to admit. He's tougher than I give him credit for." Nyx spoke all of a sudden.
"What do you mean?" I ask her.
"Look." She pointed in front of us.
The body of Wrath was laying there in the middle of the streets, but he was still moving.
"We better help him." It's the least I could do after cutting his stomach open.
"That won't happen." Nyx shook her head.
As soon as she said that. The moon turned white, the green hue disappeared and all the electronics that were off suddenly turned on. Were we almost that close to being stuck in the tower? Wait a minute. If the Dark Hour just ended, that would mean-.
"Oh my god!" A woman screamed. "Is he alright!?"
Crap.
"Hold on and stay quiet." Nyx ordered, grabbing on to me.
"For what-woah." I managed to say before feeling a sudden rush of wind.
Nyx flew high up into the midnight sky. Hopefully high enough that no one can see us from up here, or at least think it's just a bird because of her wings.
"Why are we leaving like this?" I hold on to her. Jeez, we are flying really high and fast.
"Take a good look at yourself. You're covered in blood. If anyone sees you like this, it's going to complicate things. Even more than usual."
"I can't back to the hotel like this as well you know." I'm pretty sure people can put two and two together if they see me in blood-soaked clothing and hear about a dying man in the streets.
"That's why you need to hold your breath." She replied, flying faster than before.
...Is that why we're heading straight into the sea?
AN: I feel like I have strange sense of Deja vu here. Maybe it's just me.
Well, I did say I'll try to upload this before the year ends. So mission success!
Have a safe End of the year everybody. Hope you have a good New Years as well.