Daily Disclaimer: My DA is EmeraldOverlord so feel free to check out any art you see since some of it is for my story.Btw, this chap is gonna be told from Belphegor's POV until the end so be prepared.
Belphegor's POV
It had been a few days since the encounter with the twins. I had spent the days examining the cause of death, much to my confusion.
The manner of death still perplexes me despite it being over a day since the incident. I do not understand what exactly Seviathan did, however the man's blood circulation stopped entirely without any cause. Perhaps I had taken out too much blood from him, but I swore he was alive and kicking until I brought the twins over…
Regardless, I believe that Seviathan had a primary role in his demise.I'm of the opinion his powers need to be documented closely and studied down to the finest detail to bring out his full potential. Perhaps that showing as just a glimpse of his true power…
I'll have to conduct more research in my spare time.
More studying of Seviathan will have to be done before I can turn him into a valuable asset. He's got the potential, though his skills need to be honed before he can truly be of use.
However, I cannot forget my other subjects of study. The others are still elementals and they can be modeled into weapons as well within due time.
Speaking of which, who should I work on first? I already saw the twins not too long ago and I have to admit, I'm slightly curious about the other subjects. Surely they have skills as well. But I needed to get to know them, at least somewhat. I was already acquainted with the twins, but the rest were strangers to me.
As I thought of this, one of my nurse creations entered my office,"Master Belphegor, your coffee is ready…"
I was pleasantly surprised by this. I had almost forgotten entirely about my daily coffee.
Even a Deadly Sin like myself required a bit of sustenance to keep up my high energy levels and while I adored experimenting, it did take its toll on me…
Thankfully, it seems these constructs seem to have good memory and serve their purpose well. I likely would've gone the whole day without coffee and neglected my craving purely due to my tendency to forget about things that weren't related to my experiments.
I used my robotic arm to grab the cup and took a sip. It had been brewed a tad too bitter for my tastes and I made my opinion known,'Blegh…Amanda, what have I told you about making my coffee bitter?"
Amanda flinched,"My apologies, sire. I hadn't realized it was too bitter…"
"You should know better,"I remarked before apathetically tossing the cup at her. She didn't move despite the scratching drink hitting her body. No sign of visible reaction either.
Another example of my brilliance. The nurses were old constructs of mine, made up of the bodies of female victims who 'passed away' under my care. I would've burned their bodies, however I decided to keep their bodies and stitch them together as creations of my own making. They were more or less undead manifestations that were bound to my whim. Without me, they'd have no purpose in life.
"Are you ungrateful towards me?" I ask,"Have I not done enough for you? I've restored you to life and yet I can't even get a proper cup of coffee for my services? How rude…"
The nurse trembled before stammering,I"m story, Master..I promise it won't happen again. I'll make it up to you, I promise…"
"That's what they all say," I sighed boredly,"Listen, Amanda, if you really want to be of help to me, do me a favor and fetch me Patient 666145, alright? I wish to record my interactions with the inmates and I need to start with one I haven't gotten acquainted with."
"As you wish…" She replied before leaving the room to get the prisoner.
I stood up myself to head to a chamber I made just for this type of occasion.
Sometimes I desired to record my interactions in order to witness their behavior up close and personal without having to directly dissect them.
After all, these people were my patients and it only made sense to document their behavior to get to know them. To know their weaknesses and how I could mold them into the perfect soldier and what better way than getting to know them one on one?
Of course I made sure none of them knew they were being recorded and I had a collection of empty audio logs that I had been waiting to use. I set up one in the corner hidden at the top desk and waited…
Patient 666145 was brought into the fray. For starters, he was fairly resistant and had to be dragged in by my guards, resisting every step of the way and shouting foreign curses at us.
Naturally, we had to tie him down in response, changing his legs and fists to the chair. Even while being restrained, he refused to cooperate and I administered an electric shock to get him to stop resisting.
"Are you done,666145?" I ask when he lets out a screech in pain.
He mumbled something incoherent and I requested him to repeat it but I couldn't hear it. I stood up and approached him, standing just beside his chair placing one digit under his chin,"What was that?"
He suddenly headbutted me despite his restraints, hitting me with all his might with a defiant battlecry,"RRRRAGGHH!"
That wasn't much of course, but it was enough to take me off guard for a slight moment.
I stumbled a bit before regaining my composure, unamused by this,"Patient 66614, do you truly desire more punishment for your unruly behavior? I'm being very generous in only shocking you, but it seems you're instant on pushing me even further."
"That ain't my name…" He muttered under his breath.
"Pardon?"
"I said, that ain't my NAME, ya lazy shitstain!" He hissed,"My name is ANTHONY and I ain't your bloody patient!"
"Denying reality isn't a quality one should seek, Anthony," I remark,"Like it or not, you are a patient and as your caretaker, I demand respect and obedience. It'd be foolish for you to ignore my help."
Anthony's green eyes flared up,"Take your help and shove it up your ass buster cuz I sure as hell don't want it!"
"That's what all patients say,"I reply, pulling his hair back without raising my voice as he winced in agony,"You're the first unruly patient I've dealt with, Anthony. You may think you're unique, but I've broken many like you. You will be fixed…"
"I ain't the one who needs fixing, fuckface. If anyone needs help, you better start looking in the mirror before you start diagnosing people cuz the only crazy one in here is you!"
I chuckle,"Just about everyone is a little mad, Anthony…"
Out of all the things I expected him to do, he smiled back at me, a sinister one at that.
"What's so funny?" I ask, bemused by his reaction.
"It's funny, you speak of us being unwell and shit, yet you act like a fucking manic! Locking people up and using them as test subjects under the guise of patients! I know how this shit works, Belphie, ya may think I'm not onto your shit, but I know a bastard when I see one! Because you know what? I know what you are, you're just a sick ass motherfucker who believes everyone exists to be his labrat! Well newsflash motherfucker, we're not your goddamn toys sicko!"
I scoff," Do not act as you understand me, Anthony. A simple-minded creature like yourself wouldn't understand my brilliance nor my desire to advance science beyond its current capabilities."
"Quit your noble bullshit, you're only doing this for yourself, asshat!" He snapped,"You don't give a single fuck about 'advancing' science! If that was the case you'd be creating shit to solve hunger, not using people for your unethical experiments!"
"What would you know, Anthony? You know nothing of my research…"
"I don't need to know ya to know you're just a piece of shit like the rest of you Deadly Cock-Suckers! I know this may come off as a shock to you, but I wasn't born yesterday and I've seen enough to know what all powerful assholes do to those weaker than them. You ain't shit, Belphie and I'm tired of humoring your arrogant bullshit."
I narrowed my eyes at him, this Anthony was frankly rather irritating and his personality was just plain rude! I pouted,"Now that's no way to treat your savior, Anthony. Lucifer offered you to me when he easily could've killed you and this is how you thank the person who's been keeping you and your friends under my protection?"
"Oh, silly me, must've slipped my mind to thank the guy currently imprisoning me for NOT murdering me on the spot! I should be SO grateful!"
"Such an ungrateful swine. I have your life in my hands and yet you can't even show a hint of gratitude or respect. Has your Father never taught you to respect your elders?"
"I stopped giving a shit what my family thinks a while ago, asshole," He said,"And if you wanna know how much I respect ya, I'll show ya!" He then spat on me, the wad of spit landing on my coat.
Disgusting…
I frowned,'Insolent child…' I become irritated by his behavior, having tolerated this behavior for far too long. I decided to try and turn the tides by pulling out a syringe from the cabinet.
I then injected the drugs into his system in order to alter his mood, hoping he'd become more cooperative. The logs wouldn't be useful if it was just him being rebellious after all.
Anthony became high and noticeably intoxicated, his posture becoming lax. I smirked, believing I had him,"How do you feel now, Anthony? Are you relaxed? Feeling…tired even? Do you feel your thoughts drifting away from you?"
Anthony chuckled,"Depends, my heads are always in the clouds, Belphie, but to be honest, I don't feel all that different. Other than being a little high, I feel relatively normal."
I was duly surprised by this,"That's..odd. You're not supposed to react this way…"
"Did ya really think you'd drug me into being a mindless slave? Trying to control the guy who can manipulate plants ain't really a smart idea ya know that right? I'm pretty resistant to the negative effects of drugs so all ya really did was just give me a free high, which ain't bad of course. I've been missing the dose of pleasure in my veins so I suppose I can thank ya for adding some spice into my veins."
I groaned, I had neglected that fact. Figures the man who controlled plants would have a resistance to this sort of thing. I basically rewarded him for being a stubborn fool.
"Hmph, you may be right on that note, but I do know that you're not resistant to electric shocks. Surely this will teach you a lesson…" I mentioned, turning up the voltage to the maximum volume and shocking him.
He did scream again, and quite loudly I might add. I smiled slightly at the screams and the wild thrashes. The screams, it was all too intoxicating and I just adored putting ungrateful wenches in their place-
"Ooh, more voltage, Daddy!"
"What in Lucifer's name!?" I blinked in astonishment, going as far as to immediately stop the electrocution upon hearing it,"Perhaps I miscalculated the measurements of the drugs..These results are…unprecedented."
The drugs usually caused cooperation and sometimes hallucinations and paranoia. This reaction didn't fit under either criteria…
"Nah, that ain't the drugs, I'm just a horny sleezeball if ya can't tell," He cackled at my bemusement,"What's the matter? Never seen a horny druggie before? Why don't ya shock me more? Come on, I know ya wanna hear me scream baby."
I was…not amused by this. He was supposed to be suffering, not enjoying it and yet he begged for more.
"You disgust me, Anthony," I growl, summoning a knife at his throat and pressing it up at his skin,"Keep speaking and I won't hesitate to punish you."
"Ooh, I'm so scared, I'm gonna be punished, can't ya see I'm just shivering in my boots?" He mocked, unfazed by my threats,"Go on, do it. I dare ya, I ain't scared of ya!"
I scoff before punching him in the nose, causing blood to pour.
Anthony hissed in agony before letting out a deranged laugh, spitting blood on me as a result,"That all ya got, Belphegor? This ain't nothing! What's wrong? You scared? Come on, hit me with all ya got! I ain't scared of ya!"
I narrow my eyes before punching him across the face and beating him to silence his taunts. I beat him until his face was black and blue, beating him so hard that the golden tooth in his mouth had popped out and landed on the floor, blood dripping from his mouth and nose. No doubt I had broken his nose with how much he was bleeding.
Not that I cared, it wasn't fatal and he'd live…
He panted and heaved, and yet even while being beaten, his smile remained,"Heh…Is that all? You finished already…I'm disappointed. That was barely a warm up…"
I grit my teeth in annoyance before summoning my guards and demanding that Anthony be removed from my sight and to give me another patient.
As he was dragged out, he jeered taunts at me and laughed at my expense. Even as he was taken away, the sound of his laughter never left my ears, much to my dismay.
As they left, I stopped the audio log and prepared to start up another one as the next patient was delivered to me and to prevent any altercations, to restrain him beforehand.
The next one was Patient 666150. A blonde man with pale blue eyes. When he was brought in, he glared at me harshly as he growled,"Belphegor…"
"So you heard of me…" I say, walking around his chair. His gaze never left my form and narrowed his eyes when I touched his shoulder, his posture tense,"There's no need to be so tense. I assure you that no harm will come to you…"
"And why should I believe you, Belphegor?" He asked, his eyes shifting to the blood that was left behind from Anthony's visit. He had left a handful of blood that I neglected to clean up and Vincent seemed uneasy around me.
"Oh pay no mind to this…" I coo,"This is…just what happens during interrogation. Your cellmate was being rather rebellious and I had to..put him in his place. Not that you'll have to worry about that, so long as you abide by my rules of course…"
He cringed when I put my hand under his chin, gritting his teeth with a fierce scowl on his face. He pulled at his restraints to no avail as he snarled,"Do not touch me…"
"And why should I abide by your words? I'm the one who is in control and as your new master, I demand respect and obedience. Do you understand?"
"You're not my master…" He said.
""You're in my custody, 66-"
"Vincent," He snapped,"My name is Vincent…."
"Well then, Vincent," I say,"I am your master and as your superior, I command respect out of my subordinates…"
"You do not command me…"
I roll my eyes before summoning a bucket of water in front of him. Vincent stared at it momentarily before saying,"What the hell is this for?"
"Oh nothing," I chuckle,"Just a little something I had in mind for a while, yet never had the chance to try. I've always wondered how an elemental would respond under such conditions and while I doubt you're that intelligent, surely even someone like you would understand what happens when lighting and water mix…"
His eyes widened and he hissed,"Don't you fucking dare…"
"Then give in, Vincent…"
He remained silent and I grabbed him by the hair and abruptly shoved him in the water. He struggled beneath the surface, bubbles rising to the surface. I then cast a spell to protect myself before activating the shock collar.
He thrashed and screamed underneath the surface, the electricity shocking him. I held him under the water long enough to satisfy his fright but not long enough for him to die from the lack of oxygen.
He spluttered, gasping to regain his breath.
"Who do you belong to, Vincent?" I ask as I allowed him to resurface, the collar sending strong voltage throughout his body as he screeched in agony.
"Not you!" He cried.
"Wrong answer…"
I repeated the process twenty-five times. Say it was excessive but Vincent was just that I prepared to dunk him again, Vincent whispered something under his breath that I couldn't quite understand.
"Pardon?" I ask, yanking his matted hair up in order to lock eyes with him, turning off his collar to hear him better,"I believe you said something. Speak up…"
"Mammon….He's my master…" He sobbed, his face drenched with water that I was certain was mixed with tears of his very own.
"Is that so? How do I know you're not lying to me?"
"Check my wrist if you're so uncertain,"He hissed..
I did as I was told and checked his wrist. To my bemusement, Mammon's sigil was indeed imprinted upon his skin, the marking cutting deep.
"So you were being honest with me. To think it took you so long to admit such a simple thing…Was it out of shame? Or something more?"
"None of your business, bastard…" He snapped only to gasp when I began to pull down his jumpsuit,"What the fuck are you doing!? Get your hands off of me!"
"Oh hush, Vincent, I'm not going to touch you,"I chuckle,"Not in that way at least. I merely wish to check something…"
Vincent shivered as I ran my hands down his back, feeling up the scars and examining the claw marks. Across his body were deep wounds and blemishes on his skin that resemble that of hickey marks. I had seen those on Lucifer's skin after and Lilith were…intimate and it seemed that Mammon had left his mark.
The claw marks also matched his size and it dawned on me.
"Oh, I see now. You're Mammon's concubine. I know he's had sex partners but they usually bored him after quick use. He seems to be more attached to you however. I wonder…what does he see in you? Is it your body? Or is it something more?"
"You're insane! That's now what it's like at all!"
"You may think so, but I know Mammon for far longer than you have, mortal. And I know he grows bored of others quickly once their entertainment and value runs out. Yet it seems he still holds attachment given your binding is still present. Something tells me he wasn't happy to send you away now, was he? No doubt he's expecting your return and for you to be relatively unharmed…" I sigh,"Regardless, that doesn't mean you're off the hook. You're in my custody after all, it just means I'll have to straighten things out with him once I'm through with you. You and your allies are too useful alive and I still have time to put you to good use…"
"We're not your bloody slaves, Belphegor!"
"You're my patient, Vincent. Lucifer delivered you and your allies to me and I'll be damned before allowing such an opportunity to slip through my fingers…"
"You won't get away with this…"
"That's what they all say, Vincent. But we both know better than that…Until further notice, I'm your master now and we've barely begun…"
Vincent cursed at me as he was dragged out of the room and I prepared for another patient. This time, it was a dark skinned woman with pigtails. She was kicking and screaming like a child having a temper tantrum and whined and cried.
I dismissed the guards once she was restrained and sighed,"There's no need to cry, child…."
"I ain't a kid!" She snapped,"And quit touching me! You have no fucking right! You're not my friend!"
"But we could be…if you just let me help you…"
"I don't want your help!" She huffed, stubbornly resisting my attempts to reach out.
"Why must all of you resist those who try helping you? First Anthony, then Vincent and now you. Must I hurt you as well?"
"You…you hurt Vox! I'll fucking kill you!" She growled.
"By Vox, you mean Vincent, I presume?" I ask,"There's no need to be so hostile. I merely punished him for his disobedience. You too will suffer the same fate if you do not heed my words of wisdom. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Vanessa. Why? What's it to ya?"
"Vanessa…What a lovely name. You know, you seem like just a wonderful young lady, Vanessa. It's such a shame you're as unruly as the others. Why must you reject my help?"
"Ain't it obvious!? You're using us your labrats!"
"That's a tad harsh, I'm merely just trying to help you after all. Tell me, isn't there anything you want that I could possibly offer you? I can give you a lot of things, Vanessa. Fame..fortune…anything…"
"I ain't selling myself out…" She huffed,"I know you think I'm just a dumb kid but I've been around long enough to know how these sort of deals work and I ain't gonna fall for it…"
"Now don't be like that, you can't tell me you aren't somewhat tempted? Don't you desire freedom? To be recognized for who you are?"
"Well…" She averted her gaze,"I won't lie…I'm tired of being treated like a kid. Just cuz I got a few screws loose doesn't mean I can't think for myself. Everyone thinks I'm too dumb to understand anything. I feel like a butterfly who's been caged up in a cocoon my whole life and never got the chance to spread my wings.."
I rub my chin, a devious idea coming to mind," Oh I see, why didn't you say so, Vanessa? I can make that dream of yours come true…"
She seemed doubtful over my claims,"What the hell are you talking about? You can't do that…"
"Oh believe me, dear, I can do many things…But first, why don't we try getting that butterfly to come out?" I then reached out and zipped down her uniform.
"Hey! Get off of me you pervert!"
"Relax, I'm not interested in touching you sexually. I'm only trying to get easier access for what I'm about to do,"I say as I undo her bra and allow it to fall to the floor. She shivered at the wind hitting against her skin, covering her small breasts from view.
I then summoned a branding iron and used my powers to ignite it with an everburning flame.
She turned around and screamed,"EEEK! GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!"
"Vannessa, calm down," I say,"There's no need to react so poorly. I understand it'll sting but you did say you wanted everyone to your wings didn't you?"
"BELPHEGOR WAIT! I DON'T WANNA DO THIS! I'LL DO ANYTHING, I SWEAR!" She pleaded as I pulled her pigtails back in order to get a good view of her back. She bucked and struggled against me, but I easily held her at bay while still holding the branding iron."PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!"
I then stamped the branding iron against her skin, eliciting an agonized screech as the mark imprinted itself onto her back. Once I was certain it was alright to remove, I took off the branding iron as she shivered, her breathing labored.
"See?" I ask joyfully,"All done! That was hardly too bad now was it? It only took five seconds and now look at this beautiful masterpiece,"I wiped her tears away with a tissue as she sniffled, wincing from the agony of the aftermath,"You're a very brave lady…"
Vanessa didn't respond, still shaking and quivering at the slightest touch.I told her to put her clothes back on and for the guards to escort her back and bring me her cellmate as she was useless in her current state and had to recover to be of any use.
Her cellmate was violent and hadn't stopped glaring at me the moment she locked eyes with me. Well…one eye to be exact. I didn't even get a word out before she said,"Vaggie. It's Vaggie, asshole…"
"I hadn't even said anything…"
"Does it look like I give a shit? I know you people around here call everyone by their numbers, Belphegor. Now get to the fucking point because I'm sick of everyone's shit, yours included and I'd rather you just be honest and cut the bullshit…"
"My, you're quite the feisty one," I admit,"Has anyone ever taught you to have respect over those in power?"
"Respect is earned and I sure as hell don't respect assholes…" She grit her teeth at me,"Listen, I don't want any of the bullshit you're pedaling so take it somewhere else. I refuse to betray those I care for, much less for a selfish asshole like you…"
"It's not exactly a choice, Vaggie, you're under my custody and no one can help you here. You're all alone and surely the idea of having your abilities perfected for a greater purpose wouldn't be so bad now would it?"
"And by greater purpose, you mean your own purposes, right?" She pressed,"I don't know what type of fool you take me for but I'm not desperate enough to want whatever bullshit you're selling. If you think I'm going to go along with this willingly you've got another thing coming."
"You hold such strong convictions for someone so small and weak…You'd be a wonderful soldier…if I just altered your mindset that is…"
"Good fucking luck, asshat. You ain't getting shit…" She then growled when I gripped her hair,"OW! LET GO OF ME MY DAMN HAIR YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!"
"Such long hair…" I mused as I ran my fingers through her hair,"It must've taken you quite a long time to grow it. Not many can have long hair and maintain it to the degree you 'd be such a shame if someone were to…Oh I don't know…cut it now wouldn't it?"
"Don't you fucking dare you piece of shit! I'll fucking kill you!"
"Empty threats, empty threats," I chide,"Honestly, you should know better than to threaten a man such as myself. I've been rather patient with you, yet it appears no matter what I do, you always remain hostile. I'd normally just electrocute you, but I feel this punishment is far more personal…"
Vaggie resisted and tried to escape from my hold. She was quite the rascal and I won't lie, she managed to actually bite me. I slammed her head against the desk, banging it several times to destroy her resistance. Her head was bleeding and I took advantage of her drowsiness in order to yank her hair back in order to cut it.
I slashed her hair length and watched as Vaggie's jaw dropped at the sight of her fallen hair. I could see tears welling up in her eyes at the sight of once majestic locks being nothing more than dead fibers on the floor. Tears and blood dripped down her face as the realization hit her hard.
"Y-You…you monster! How could you!?"
"Oh don't be so dramatic, Vaggie, you know it'll grow back eventually…"
"I spent years growing this, jackass! It'll be years before this grows back to its full length!"
"Keep talking and you'll consider yourself lucky you have any hair at all," I remark,"It'd be much easier if you just accepted you have no future without me. I'm the only one who's bothering to keep you and your allies around. Why must you reject a better future? Is it out of stubbornness or are you hoping for a rescue that will never come?"
"She'll come for us. I know she will…"
"Who is she?" I ask, amused at the threat.
"None of your goddamn business…Just know that you won't get away with this, Belphegor. Karma will bite you in the ass and it'll bite you hard. She'll make you pay…All of you will pay…"
I roll my eyes at her empty threats, grabbing her chin as I say,"You'll see it my way sooner or later…All of you will…"
I then dismiss her and tell them to send the remaining prisoners in.
To put it bluntly, it didn't go well. Niffty responded poorly and kept pleading with me to 'let her go' and that she wanted to 'go home'(wherever that was). I noticed that strange spider of hers that she allowed inside of her hair and begged me to spare it's life when I was tempted to dissect it.
Out of a small sense of pity, I decided to spare it's life…for now. It was a weakness to exploit and she was honestly the most cooperative out of the group and allowed her to keep it.
Husk was a crass man and fairly violent yet apathetic. He didn't seem to care for much and whenever I tried offering him anything, he said I could give him all the booze in the world and that I still couldn't convince him to work for me even when I gave him a black eye.
Alastor was just awful. He despised even the slightest touch and began angered whenever I laid my hands on him. Didn't matter if I just brushed his shoulder, he became irrational and I had to put a cage-device over his mouth so that while he could speak, he couldn't try biting me.
He responded just as well as one would expect and he swore vengeance.
I was disappointed by how horrible my attempts to reach out and reason with the prisoners were. I knew it was foolish to expect all of them to fall in line but I was hoping they'd be a tad more willing when I promised them their hearts' desires.
I then decided to try my luck with my favorite pair of twins, going with Helsa first. Unlike with the others, I decided to do away with the restraints unless prompted to, given they never displayed aggression towards me in our past encounters.
I put the audio log away since I knew she was mute and saw no point in using it, instead opting to simply interrogate her and take notes on her reactions.
"So Helsa, how are you doing today?" I ask,"Are you feeling alright?"
Her eyes shift to the side, refusing to make contact with me. No doubt what she had seen back in the lower levels was still taking its toll on her.
"Oh now, don't be like that. I understand it was a lot to take in, but I assure you that what you saw down there isn't something you or your friends should be worried about if that's what you're wondering. Oh no, you are all far too useful to get rid of," I chuckle,"Besides, I have a soft spot for you and your brother and I'd just hate to hurt you anymore than necessary. So please, try not to be resistant like the others did, it was quite messy and got a tad more bloody than I'd like to admit…"
Helsa froze up and remained still as her eyes darted around the room. The aftermath of the prior subjects' visits were still visible, the blood, fallen hair and stains were something that caught her eye.
"Not like I'm going to have to resort to that, you seem rather behaved today and I really do just want to talk to you. You wouldn't mind speaking to your Uncle Belphie, now would you?" I ask in a joking manner, a genuine smile creeping up on my face.
She shook her head.
"Good. Good, I'm glad to know the feeling is mutual,"You know, Helsa, there's no need to be so nervous. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want the two of us to see eye to eye with each other. After all, you've been hanging around quite troublesome company lately and I believe that this behavior should be straightened out before it becomes a problem…"
She didn't show any response to the question, her nervousness lingering in her eyes. I clasp her hand gently,"Helsa, I know it's hard to communicate with me, but I assure you that you're going to be alright. Your lack of voice complicates things but I'll make it as easy as I can. How about you nod your head for yes and shake your head for no? I'm going to ask you some questions and I want to be sure about your true feelings on the matter, OK?"
She nodded her head.
"Wonderful. I'm glad we've reached an understanding…" I sigh,"Tell me, Helsa, do you like your powers?"
Helsa shrugged her shoulders.
"Don't you wish to perfect them? I can help you with that…'' I assure,"After all, I'm certain your parents would just love it if you gained mastery over your abilities. A proper Princess should be able to uphold dominion over her abilities after all…"
Helsa's eyes narrowed, as if thinking for a moment but still seems undecided. Her reluctance was visible for all to see and I could tell she was nervous just being in my very presence despite my attempts to put her at ease.
"There's no need to be scared, Helsa. I promise, I'm your friends, family even. We can work together, Helsa. After all, I'm certain your parents don't exactly approve of your actions given the people you've been lingering with. Don't you want to get that back?"
Helsa didn't shake her head but I could tell that inside of her eyes, the desire for approval lingered.
"There's no need to be shy, Helsa. I know you wish for approval just like any other child. I can see your talent, you're truly a majestic feature to behold. We just need to unlock that hidden potential for the world to see. What do you say?"
She didn't respond, still conflicted. I sighed, pouting at her stubbornness,"There's no need to get cold feet, Helsa. I understand it's a lot to take in but you really have to think of the possibilities. Don't you want your parents' approval? Don't you want their love?"
Helsa remained silent.
"I'll leave you to think about it. We've got plenty of time and I'm certain you'll make up your mind eventually. I'm only doing what's best for you, Helsa, and I want you to understand that. Now leave. And go tell the nurse I wish to see your brother…"
Helsa took her leave and not too long afterwards and a few minutes later, her brother appeared. Seviathan sat down, his eyes in shroud due to his hair getting in the way.
Unlike the others who displayed nervousness or outright hostility, he seemed oddly calm and collected. He then sniffed the air and titled his head,"You were torturing the others, weren't you?"
"How could you tell?"
"You're not exactly hiding the evidence, Belphegor. Besides…" He sneered as you eyed the blood on the ground,"Not to mention, I can sense it. The anguish, the ire…the hate within their blood….it's strangely appealing…"
The way Seviathan spoke caught me off guard, he sounded rather…bloodthirsty(quite literally in this case). I've never seen anyone describe being able to sense blood, let alone describe it as being 'appealing' in their own words.
This was an interesting discovery…but first, I had to test my limits with him. Seviathan was always considered the lesser child, a disappointment, surely he'd be easy to convince…
"Appealing you say? Do you possess dominion over blood as well as water? If so..it certainly explains how you killed that man. Tell me, what would you do to him?"
"I stopped his blood flow entirely…" Seviathan admitted without a shred of remorse,"Why? Are you attempting to make me feel guilt over his death?
"Oh no, I would never. I was going to get rid of him anyway and you did me a favor killing him in that fashion. Besides, I see a great power within you. Blood magic is a rather..undeveloped field and we could use your powers to advance our knowledge…"
"And what's in it for me?" He asked.
"Your parents' love and affection. I know that you aren't exactly favored compared to your sister and no doubt that's wounded you deeply over the years. Don't you wish they appreciated you?"
"Yes…"
"Then why not consider it? I can make you the perfect warrior, the perfect son, the ultimate weapon. Don't you wish to be adored and feared by all like every other royal?"
The Prince nodded his head slowly,"Though it depends, can you truly make that come true?"
"I'm capable of many things, Seviathan. You of all people should know this…"
"That doesn't mean I trust your word. After all, how can I know that you are not trying to trick me? How do I know you don't think I'm just an ignorant child like all the rest?"
"What good would it be to trick you? It'd hardly benefit me now would it? Besides, I like you and I wouldn't dare lie to my favorite nephew now would I?"
"I'll consider my options. However, make no mistake, Belphegor, for I care not one iota for your experiments or your research for that matter. I have my own plans in mind and the only loyalty I have is toward myself, got that?"
I rolled my eyes,"I hear you loud and clear, Seviathan. No need to remind me. I'm well aware you have your own goals in mind. I'm not that foolish. Now do run along, I'm certain your dear sister is waiting for you…"
"Hmph.."
When I dismissed him from the room, I collected the audio-logs and put down my findings in my journal.
It could've gone better, but I do feel I made major progress with the twins, at least with Seviathan to be exact. While I haven't secured his loyalty, I have piqued his interest. Seviathan was just like any other just child, desiring their parents' love and acceptance and perhaps I could use that to my advantage.
It was not the best start, but I was getting there. They all started out that way, questioning me while still being somewhat tempted. They all became loyal to me by the end and sooner or later, we'd both look back on this memory and laugh…
I, on the other hand, decided to make a new page in Seviathan's file, noting his blood manipulation powers and made a note to study his abilities and master it for our own purposes, no matter the cost.
As the nurses escorted Seviathan out, the Prince of Envy soon caught up with his sister. The nurses demanded to know why Helsa was out and Seviathan quickly made up an excuse about her 'habit of getting lost' and that he'd escort her back to their cell.
For some reason, the nurses allowed this and as the twins walked down the hallway, Seviathan spoke,"Helsa, do you smell that?"
Helsa raised an eyebrow, sniffing the air but smelling nothing and shook her head.
"That smell…the smell of decay and death…Those nurses reek of it. Or perhaps your sense of smell isn't as strong as mine, you can only smell their perfume that conceals their stretch. But I can overlook it…I can smell their true colors, the stench of death and decay is strong in them…"
Helsa stared at her brother in shock, and as if he read her mind, he nodded,
"Yes sister, those nurses are dead..Or undead by our standards. Undead constructs resurrected to serve Belphegor as their master. Their blood…it's revolting and lacks the essence of a living person. They may move and act like people, but they're nothing more than constructs that lack the spark of life…"
Helsa frowned at her brother's tone, something was off about it. It sounded…hungry and malicious.
"It's not surprising, Belphegor no doubt deals with loads of…useless patients in his own words. He had to put their bodies to use somehow, even in death. It's quite clever, I'll give him that. Guess he is true to his word of making sure nothing ever goes to waste.."
The Princess of Envy noticed a sick smile grow on Seviathan's face.
It unnerved her and she couldn't help but feel a shiver go down her spine. It reminded her of the lifeless gaze he had back in Belphegor's torture chamber and yet it still lingered on his face despite all this time.
"Helsa, I want to ask you something…" He said in a quiet voice,"Did you consider his proposition? Don't bother lying, we both already know the answer…"
Helsa seemed reluctant and uncertain while Seviathan continued speaking,
"Don't worry,Helsa. I understand your reluctance. Belphegor is far from a trustworthy soul and even I'm wary of him, yet I cannot fully dismiss the possibilities. After all, who doesn't want power?" He chuckled,"I know you couldn't possibly understand me, given how you've always had the better reputation out of the two of us and all, but I wish to regain what was stolen from me all those years ago. Charlie cost me our parents' love and approval and I desire not only retribution but for what is rightly mine to be returned to me…"
Helsa sent him a look. She never brought the bullshit about Seviathan physically abusing Charlie and while she never enough to speak up for him, she always believed it was nonsense and that it was ridiculous.
"Do not worry, I'm not enough of a fool to actually trust the bastard. I know Belphegor's schemer just like everyone else. But I am willing to pretend if it means getting what I want…Besides, playing along might actually bide us time into getting out of here as I can't say I'm a fan of this asylum and when I do, I'll be paying our dear Charlotte a visit…"
Helsa laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"Don't you remember what happened last time you and Charlie were in a room together? Lucifer nearly killed you. As much as I despise that blonde bitch, even I wouldn't try hurting her while Lucifer's around."
"Because this time, she won't be lucky enough to have her father's protection. Made better yet, she's powerless and without her parents, she'd be easy pickings for anyone with even a hint of magical abilities," He swore,"You may not believe me now, but you'll see, sister. All of you will…"
"Is that a threat,brother?"
"A promise, sister…"
Thanks for the views, tell me what you think below and feel free to share your thoughts
Enigmus-288: He is a bit...off on the head honestly. Perfect soldiers can be hella useful and he can't afford to get rid of useful warriors after all and will use whatever he can to get around responsibility.