Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 63 - King of hearts.
Twig's POV, Two days later.
"Twig?" Looking up from my seat at the table, I locked eyes with Robert Morse. Robert was the city's police commissioner and crooked since the beginning when Verno ran the market. He and I had a few things to discuss away from the public eye and most of this would come down to how much I would have to pay him to turn a blind eye like he did for all the other families who worked out of his city. Thankfully the man was easily intimidated so I had the upper hand here. My men watched us from the corners of the room as my thoughts were on Claire and her father.
"What's wrong?" Robert asked me as I slowly shook my head to reply.
"Nothing. Another matter just came up. I lost my train of thought, but I'm here now. What is it that you need from me and my family?"
"We need money. Simple as Christmas morning. Verno and Cora both paid me well to look after them and their businesses. I keep the good cops away and the bad ones don't interfere. Not to mention there is a lack of competition among your people. If things stand as they are, you have the only family left. Easier to handle if you ask me. I can keep you operating so long as you are willing to cut me in on the take. Let's say…..twenty percent?"
Even my men started to laugh at the man as I was quick to smile widely and question.
"Twenty? Verno and Cora gave you nowhere near that mark. They didn't even enter the double digits when it came to your business and from what I know you have no need for extra funds and don't you dare claim it's for the force. You're a rat just like so many other officers of the law."
"And you're a bigger rat Twig." Robert claimed back which got me to then ask him.
"So convince me. Why so much?"
"Well it's again very simple to understand. You and your way of crime is nearing an end. Organized crime in our city hit an all time low a few months ago when you lost everything. The city has grown content and happy seeing you all gone. You want me to help kickstart that old way of doing things back up? I can't do that without more to work with and to be honest, you're in no position to bargain."
"Really?" I questioned as I sat up and then urged him.
"Look around this room. You see these guys? They lost everything as well. Not just me. This life? It's all we got. It's all we know how to do. We'll die for that. Kill for that. We've done so for decades. We've buried hundreds of bodies and yours could be the next. No one will find you. Maybe fifty years down the line sure, but even then it won't matter. Let me ask…how many people know you're sitting here right now? I'd wager not a single one among your kind knows you're this crooked. So I beg you to reconsider that train of thought."
Robert and I were staring deep at one another. So much so that the room seemed to disappear. That was until the lights went out around us. Looking up at the chandelier above me, I questioned out loud as Robert was now even more concerned for his health.
"What happened?"
My men began to check the hallway outside the room we were in and not before long I was told by one of them.
"Backup generator should be on in a minute."
I let out an annoyed sigh and just waited as the lights soon came back on. Robert shifted in his seat as I ordered one of my nearby men.
"Go check the circuit box. See what happened. Go with him, Janson." The two of them obeyed and we watched as they exited the room. Flicking my fingers at Robert to get his attention back to what mattered, I said in a calm voice.
"Sorry for that. The compound is older than sin. Probably tripped something, but that doesn't matter right now. I think we were talking about what you said to me about not being able to negotiate. Weren't we?" Robert looked nervous now thanks to the power going out, but with the birds outside chirping away, I was content with seeing what he would say next.
Sam's POV.
Tucked behind the steps, I trained my sights on the descent and waited patiently for someone to come check the circuit box. I made sure not to disable the backup generator just for this reason. Twig would be panicking otherwise and his men would surely suspect trouble if that didn't turn on like it was supposed to. Thankfully my plan worked and the door just above my head opened. They turned on the lights and then began to climb down the steps.
"It's a beautiful day outside. So weird that we lost power." One of them stated as they neared the bottom.
"This house is like two centuries old. Only takes a few appliances for something to trip down here. Let's see what it was and get back to the boss."
My eyes were hyper fixated on the pair as they approached the box together to begin looking over the internals. Taking one step out from under the steps I whistled to get their attention. Like two deer they both turned and before they could react I pulled the trigger twice and shot both of them in the head then turned to aim up the steps at the partially opened doorway. I held my angle for a good minute just in case someone was close enough to hear the shots from my suppressor. Confident no one did, I looked back at the two dead goons and quickly began to pat them over.
Finding nothing of interest, I refocused on the steps and began to climb up. Next step was to get to the kitchen. I had to reach that pantry.
Twig's POV. Ten minutes later.
"What's the play?" I again asked Robert as he was content in dragging this out.
"Twenty percent. I won't go lower. Even with your threats Twig. You can't kill me. We both know that. There isn't any other person willing to work with you and even you know that. Twenty percent."
I took a deep breath. This was starting to annoy me. Going under my jacket, I pulled out my glock and sat it in front of me on the counter. Robert glanced at it as I proceeded to say to him out of respect.
"You got balls, but Verno wouldn't have let this slide. Cora would have already shot ya and I'm trying to refrain from the urge. If you wanted my attention then you sure as hell earned it. I'm not doing twenty percent."
"Then I'm afraid I can't be seen helping you." Robert replied as I again took another deep breath. I was about to grab my gun and shoot him, but then we were disturbed by three heavy knocks on the door. One of my remaining two men approached and I assumed it would be my other guys coming back from their trip to the basement, but the moment my guard turned the doorknob he was greeted with two bullets to his chest.
"Jesus Christ!" Robert screamed as I went to grab my gun from the counter. The second I moved in my seat the gunman breached the door and put three more rounds into my only remaining guard. I jumped in place from the violence and because of that I hesitated and froze up when the gun was pointed at me directly. I didn't dare move another muscle as my eyes stared at the attacker.
Sam's POV.
I kept my sights trained on the wolf sitting a few meters away as he was stuck in place. I knew what I planned to do to him so with my voice semi contained behind my mask, I ordered him with a growl.
"Lose it. Now."
Twig pushed the piece onto the floor and was left with only one question to ask which he did in spades.
"What is it you want?"
"Stand." I then ordered him as I approached his side of the table.
I didn't plan to give him an answer to his question so when I got close enough I grabbed him by the back of his neck and shoved him onto the top of the counter. I jammed my barrel into his spine and used my spare hand to frisk him down for any other weapons. I found nothing but his wallet and a lighter which I tossed into my pocket before being asked aggressively.
"Who do you work for?"
Again I didn't plan to give him anything, so I decided to instead hit him from behind with the butt of my rifle. Twig saw stars as he nearly fell over. Thankfully I had him by the collar of his shirt and looked up to see the other man in the room looking frightened beyond all hell. Unknown to me however he stuttered forth.
"You're that terrorist! The one the M.E.A.F and G.U.N are looking for! You killed all those people! Why are you here?! He then asked me as I pointed my gun at him now to reply.
"Just tying off some loose ends."
Twig was starting to sense something was off as my voice echoed in his ears. He even tried to look back at me, but I greeted him again with another smack from my rifle. That's when I saw the guy in front of us try to run. Not wanting to take any chances, I shot him four times in the back and watched with Twig as he slammed into the door screaming in agony.
Twig saw this as a chance to act and attempted to swing on me, but I was faster and managed to clock him once in the face with my left fist. Falling now to his knees, I sent a knee into his jaw and looked back up at the dying man to hear him cry out.
"You can't kill a cop!"
Unwilling to listen to much more, I shot him two more times and made sure one of which entered his skull. That's when I heard what remained of Twig's men making their way to us. You could hear hollering outside the room as Twig proceeded to shout.
"Get in here you lazy bastards! Shoot this bitch!"
Two of his men came barreling in not a moment too soon, so with all my force, I lowered my rifle and switched to my Luger. At the same time I grabbed Twig from behind and took him as my shield to make sure his men wouldn't try to shoot.
"Let him go." I was ordered as I took a step backwards but kept my gun pointed at them.
Three more dressed up goons came into the room as I contemplated my next move. Thankfully I had a plan for getting out of here.
"Let me go you crazy bitch!" Twig ordered me as I kept my grip firm.
"Not a chance." I whispered back to him as another one of his men shouted at me.
"You got nowhere to go!"
That's where they were wrong. Lowering my luger, I put my gun away and reached into my vest to grab onto a detonator. With the men unable to see what I held, they just stood there as I blew the charge I set in the pantry on the ground floor. Instantly the ground under us quaked and not before long each of them began to fall over from the sheer force of the C4 I used. Then a second later I felt the floor start to crumble. Twig was in a fit from the explosion, but remained in my arms as I readied myself for the fall. A moment later it all came down and Twig and I fell right into the open pantry where two of his men laid dead already from my previous visit.
"Ahhhh!" Twig instantly let out a yelp of fear as we landed together. My back hit the floor with him on top of me, but I had more than enough strength to throw him over my side and to get back on my own feet. My shields however broke from the fall and I realized that after I had already retaken Twig as my temporary shield and began to run out into the kitchen. His men were surely confused by what exactly just happened, so I dragged us back into the hallway and threw Twig into the wall to order him as I kicked him square in the head with my boot.
"Stay down!"
In reality I think I knocked him out, but what was done was done, so I refocused for the time being and got back out my rifle to begin searching for his remaining goons. Like an easy read they were coming down the steps towards me and before they could see it I had already begun to open fire. Three of which rolled down the rest of the way once they had been littered with bullets. The other two returned fire and I stood strong as two rounds hit my vest in unison.
Lowering my rifle and switching back to my Luger, I shot the last two guys and quickly turned around to grab Twig again. This time he was barely conscious as I now dragged him to one of the backdoors the building possessed. Throwing him into the wooden element, the door came down and I quickly switched clips in my rifle as he rolled a few feet into the garden.
"Ahhhh…..wait…?" I kicked him once more but had to take aim as two more of his men came running down the hall behind us. They both toppled over as I took their lives.
"What do you want?!" Twig proceeded to gag up as he now crawled into the garden further.
"You." I replied as I punched him once more in the face to make sure he stayed down. I took some time after that to wait for anymore of his men to show up, but grew suspicious when no one did. So I caved in and used my powers to search the area. Turns out I killed them all. Twig didn't have anyone left to help him.
"No friends left to come save you?" I asked the bloodied wolf as I reached down to grab his tail.
Using very little of my muscle, I dragged him until we reached the direct center of the garden where a small angel statue made its home among some white and red roses. Throwing the dog down under it, I hit him again in the face and looked over his condition. He wasn't going anywhere now so I put my gun over my shoulder and took a short walk to the garden's shed.
Grabbing a pitchfork and a canister of gasoline that sat next to a lawnmower, I returned to the dog and began to dose him with the stuff. Twig instantly began to huff and beg for his life as I was soon finished lubing him up. Tossing the can away, I reached up and lifted my mask. Twig and I then locked eyes and before he could say anything I took a firm hold over the pitchfork. He stuttered now as I prepared to end this.
"You?! You fucking…..two faced little whore!" Not giving him time to turn that insult into a speech, I gutted him with the pitchfork and made sure it went clean through his abdomen and into the ground. The whole time his howls of pain pleasured me. I made sure to twist and jerk the pitchfork a few times just to hear more. Once I was satisfied I kept him pinned there and went into my pockets to retrieve his lighter. Looking up at me with blood dripping out from his mouth, the dog begged me.
"Please don't do this. I beg of you. Don't put me in any more flames."
"You don't get to beg your way out of this. We both know if the shoe was on the other foot you'd see me skinned alive for what I did to your friends." I growled back at him in truth which earned me two viscous eyes back and a firm howl to the heavens above.
"You sadistic motherfucker! I should have fucking shot you all those months ago and left you to bleed out in the street! You fucking animal!"
"Have an easy crossing." I urged him back as his time came to an end.
Lighting his lighter, I took a step back and just blankly stared at him now as I tossed it down into his lap. The second the flame made contact he went up like a kite. The instant smell of his fur all burning at once engulfed my nostrils, but his screams flew between my ears like a sweet song and I just learned to appreciate the sound of them.
The pitchfork assured me that he would stay stuck to the earth, but against all odds he flailed his limbs everywhere until the fire reached his soul. Then it snuffed out what remained and soon all that could be heard was the sound of skin crackling and popping among the fire.
I took a few minutes to just watch the roost and during said time I texted Minky that it had been finished. He would update my profile and forward what cash I had made from the hit to my bank account. It wasn't about the money though. It was about sending another message. This time there would be no more problems. No more worries. I'd be free to live here so long as I clean up my act before leaving.
Twig's whole body was soon nothing but char and that was enough for me to turn and go back into the house. I had security cameras to wipe before leaving this part of my life behind.
Minutes passed as I had to hack my way into the computer they used to monitor everything, but once I had done everything that needed to be done, I collected my thoughts and phased my way to safety.
Roslin's POV.
I waited for Sam's return and soon my wishes were answered as she suddenly appeared before me with that mask covering her face. My eyes looked at her as she was covered in debris and plaster. That's when she took off the mask and threw her rifle onto the ground. I stood up and questioned not soon after seeing that she seemed exhausted.
"Are you hurt?"
"No. I'm good. Just done with all that bullshit." Her tone was sure as shit relieved sounding as she took a second to breath and activate her venom. That's when two bullets fell out from her chest piece and dinked across the floor.
I came closer to put a hand over her shoulder. She looked back to smile at me and with her eyes returning back to their normal color, I said to her out of care.
"You should get all of that off." She agreed and slipped out of her armor. As she did, I said to her calmly.
"Lia…..told me a lot of what has happened since we last saw each other. After everything…..how are you holding up?"
"I'm surviving." Her tone was sad to hear so I took a moment to frown before saying to her next.
"I heard about what happened between you and your parents. Are you okay?" Giving me a small grin the wolf reached over to grab onto my hand. I allowed her to guide it and soon found myself touching the base of her lips. Opening her mouth just enough to let my fingers slip inside, I was taken to her lower left fang. Or at least where it should have been. Feeling the missing tooth, she slowly pulled my fingers out from her mouth to whimper.
"Everytime I go back there I lose something. I'm…I'm just tried of it Roslin."
"So much so you cut your final ties? Was that smart?" I asked her as she shrugged and replied.
"Yeah. It was. I can focus on the things that actually matter right now. Especially now that Twig is dead. I can go back to Tika and the others without anything to distract me."
"Sure, but what about this rabbit?"
"Jari? What about him?" She asked me back in confusion as I was hesitant to ask this right now, but fuck it.
"You're his…..girlfriend?" Sam sensed my concern and was quick to come up with her reasoning. She didn't hold back on it either.
"It's fine. Nothing is gonna come of it. I'm leaving him regardless in a week or two. He has a lot to focus on. I doubt I'll even keep in touch much. At least not until I decide to take another break."
"Do you love him?" I then asked her back bluntly which made her look at me weirdly.
"No. I can't throw that out there to him. My lifestyle Roslin? I can't afford to love anyone. You're the exception though. I don't have to worry about losing you. Nor do I have to worry about someone trying to use you to get to me. And besides that you already know I love you. Jari is…..he's more of a distraction. Please?" Putting her hands on my face, we stared into each other's eyes. She looked and felt sincere so I just nodded my head once as she then stated.
"Please don't worry about it. It's not that serious and it won't ever be. You're all I need and look….here you are. Looking cute as ever."
I chuckled and gently put my hands around her wrists to get her to ease up on her grip over my cheeks. Once I had her hands down to her sides, I said to her calmly.
"Okay. How are your abilities? Lia made you her demi she said; so that must mean you and her got along."
"We got along perfectly, although she's not what I expected from a goddess."
Now I chuckled loud and agreed.
"She has that effect. Almighty, but as innocent and as curious as a newborn pup. She's a genuine lady though."
"I heard you two once had a little thing going on." Sam proceeded to state which is when I urged her much like she did me.
"It was a long time ago. That and we were never serious. It was a selfish choice sleeping together, but times were a lot different back then."
"Clearly." She chuckled as she took a step away from me to go to her bags. She got undressed and put her gear away at the same time. I just maintained my distance and watched her. After a minute I asked her again.
"Didn't answer my question though. How are your abilities? Do you have control? It's a lot of power being her demi. It's a lot more than I could offer."
"I'm fine. No issues. I get a little disoriented when I jump far distances, but I've been trying to get used to it with practice. Thankfully it's not hard to practice. Just a matter of time."
I nodded and went silent as she finished up packing. Zipping up the bag she slowly asked me.
"Where did she go by the way?"
"To talk to Marcus. She's gonna set the record straight with him."
"Is she gonna tell him about us?" She then asked in a panic as I was quick to calm her down by replying.
"Absolutely not. Lia agreed to help us. She knows the importance of keeping our heads down until we decide to strike. If anything she's gonna lie through her teeth and try to convince him that her visit is only a warning. Marcus will have to decide what's more important to him once he knows the attrition is officially watching his actions."
"Good. Had me worried. If Marcus finds out what I am, then my dad surely will and that can't happen." She stated which is when I questioned.
"Does that even matter at this point? You don't have any intentions on going back to them now. You cut your ties Samantha. Most of them anyway."
"I'm planning on getting a new number tomorrow. I keep getting messages from them and I'm tired of it. They probably wanna believe I wasn't serious when I left them like that, but maybe once they realize I changed my number they'll get the memo."
"How about G.U.N? Any issues?"
"No. G.U.N isn't a problem at this point. They just expect some answers at some point and I'll give them that sure, but it'll be a spinoff from the truth. They'll believe whatever I give them because they have too. I'm solo on this operation. So long as I keep my cover they won't suspect anything." She claimed which got me to slightly smile before asking her.
"Not a single thought on just going AWOL? Maybe fake your death or something?"
"Wouldn't fake my death. That's too much work. Turning rogue though is a possibility. Depends on how things go with Tika and the others. See how things between us play out. I won't be in my comfort zone much once I go back. I plan to watch Tika's back. Not sell my services like I've been doing. Minky might be sad since he lives off my work, but I'm working out a payment plan to keep him comfy."
"Good. I'm glad you've been working." I chuckled as she collected her bags and turned back around to look at me as I stood by the door.
"I have to go back to Jari and his family now. Are you gonna stop by at any point to visit? I'm hoping you're not intimidated by the little guy." I knew she was fucking with me but it still mildly irritated me so I replied back forcefully.
"He doesn't "intimidate" me."
"Then are you gonna come keep me company tonight? Should I whistle for you?"
She broke something from within me by saying that so my body just moved and I saw her mood change completely when I decided to do exactly what Lia had been doing this whole time. She locked up instantly as I squeezed right into her very essence. Unable to accommodate for the sudden merging of our souls, Sam struggled but asked me out loud.
"What the fuck are you doing?!"
"I'm making sure we have no misunderstandings. I'm not scared of that rabbit and I'm not about to let you intentionally make jokes about it. So we're gonna settle for this. You've been letting Lia in here so this shouldn't be a problem for you. Right? Or are you the one who is worried now? Oh don't answer that, I already know the answer."
"You fucking asshole." She now mumbled as she recollected her ability to move.
"You best get going now. Don't want to keep your other "boyfriend" waiting." I informed her of it as a joke which got her to let out a small growl before moving her legs for the exit.
Marcus's POV, A few hours later, Iraq.
I sat next to her bed in deep thought. I've been doing this for nearly two days now. I couldn't piece this together. Jesse had no medical issues and the ones she did have I made sure to fix. She had no clue what I was or even who I was in all truth. She's been with me for so long and she's continued to believe my story about being an M.E.A.F officer. Thankfully we never got too serious with our relationship. If I had to see her daily it would make keeping a cover impossible. Regardless if I wasn't a god she would be dead right now.
All I knew was that something happened out of the blue that caused her to drift into a coma. She fell down right in the middle of working her shift at the bar and I had to struggle to get her back. Her soul wasn't normal or at least it was in a place I couldn't find for a few days. Something about that fact made me skeptical about the situation. Whatever happened wasn't normal or even unexpected. It was intentional and I needed to know why.
As time went on and on my thoughts became blank from staring at her face. I had tunnel vision of sorts and it made everything more confusing for me to figure out. However my whole body jolted when I felt someone poke me just below my neck.
"Ah!" I screamed so loud I was grateful Jesse was still unconscious, but when I turned around I found a fennec fox about my size staring at me with a concerned and absolutely embarrassed look on her face. In a panic of sorts she shouted out.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!"
I scrambled to my feet but kept my eyes on her the whole time as every thought in my head made me question how she got in here and how she could even come into direct contact with me. I shouldn't be visible or even detectable to mortals. Yet she clearly could see me regardless of the facts.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" I asked her as she was quick again to apologize.
"I'm sorry. I really didn't intend to scare you. Are you Marcus by chance?"
She even knew my name and I hesitated to come to any conclusions up until I nodded and she replied.
"I'm Lia. I'm from the Attrition."
I widened my eyes and felt what remained of my heart collapse in my chest the moment she said that.
"Roslin was your master before this, yes?"
She had to be the real deal. It would explain everything and if I knew anything it was to never lie to a member of the attrition. If her powers were real she could do anything without batting an eye. She could end me in a mere moment or destroy this realm entirely. I had no choice but to tell her the truth to anything she decided to ask. She was here for a reason and I had to assume for once I may be the one about to die.
"He was my master, but a long time ago." I finally replied, which is when she smiled and urged me kindly back.
"Relax. I came to get some answers. If my intentions were elsewhere; I'd have killed you already. You must know at least that much about us. Roslin did explain your role before handing over his position, right?"
"Yes. Of course. I know where my position stands." I replied back which earned me her continued sinister smile before questioning in a firmer tone.
"Do you now? Then I have a few questions for you. Care to explain why this realm hasn't seen any recent changes in over two decades? Also would you care to explain why so many mortals seem to know your existence? And how about you explain her while you're at it? Take your time when considering your answers. I have all the time in the realms." She then urged me as she looked over at Jesse who was out cold behind me.
"I admit it's been slow the last two decades, but I can assure you I have a plan in the works. It's just taking time to set up. And when it comes to the other people who know of my existence it's been perfectly handled. None of them would dare admit it to others outside our circle and those people who do know are close to my current demi."
"A demi? What's their name?" She then asked me curiously which in turn made me calm down a bit before replying.
"Raptor Voltz. He's….?" Cutting me off now she giggled out.
"Oh I know who he is. I'm just trying to play dumb about it Marcus. It's my way of trying to lighten the mood. The last name is vaguely familiar. His father is the one who you used to cause the rebellion wars, yes?"
That was a huge fact that I made sure to never really think about anymore. Raptor was unaware of my involvement in that and many other things I went above and beyond to see happen back then. Giving my overlord a nod, she then asked me.
"You drove the man crazy from what I know about the situation. The man himself was very strong willed at the time. It must have taken a lot to get him to crack. What exactly did you do to set up that event?"
Again I couldn't be caught lying around any of this. I had to come clean so I just bluntly came out with it.
"Raptor's father was extremely mentally stable and the scene between the rebellion and G.U.N was just a budding flower back then. People talked about one day turning away from G.U.N rule but nothing ever became of it. Raptor's dad was in a position of power among the early years of the first rebellion movement. He was more so the actual founder so his people would do whatever he thought was right. I knew if I could just take control of him from time to time, I could very carefully make the turns that were needed in order to cause a war."
"You personally got involved?" Lia asked me back, which is when I admitted.
"I took full control. Him and Raptor's mother were thankfully already fighting so tension among the family was already high. He wasn't even home much as for a fact. The man was constant in his efforts to create a full fledged military force that could stand up to G.U.N. Once I took control it was very easy to cause problems that would eventually lead to war and by that point I had begun to break down his wall of mental stability. I gave him nightmares every night. Made him have urges to hurt others at almost every junction. Made him see things in the corners of his eyes. Self doubt. He grew paranoid after a few months and that just added on to his neglect of his family. Raptor took it the hardest."
Lia began to chuckle and that got my attention as she soon giggled on.
"I have to give you credit for planning ahead like you did. Even before you knew your plan was gonna work, you already had his son pinned to be your demi. Marked him when he was just a teen, correct?"
"The day he turned twelve I marked him one night in his sleep. Did the same thing I did to his father to him, but on a much smaller scale. I knew he had a long time to get to where I wanted him to be so it only made sense to gradually break him down. By the time he was of age he had no issue killing his father who had successfully induced war with G.U.N."
"Ever tell him?" She then asked which made me quickly respond.
"No. Why would I ever do that?"
"Because your successor needs to have the mindset to take on this responsibility. It's always been that way. Roslin and you followed that blueprint to the very end and things were going smooth. Now all the sudden things have slowed down. A lot Marcus. Just be truthful because I already know where you went wrong. You abused the rules and took a few too many chances. You gave your heart to your demi and now you're thinking like a mortal and not like a god and you've grown attached to more things than just him." Lia darted her eyes back to Jesse who I immediately stood in front of.
She knew everything and that was dangerous, but what could I really do besides bite my tongue as she stared a hole through my head. Pointing at me as she took in my defensive stance she asked me out of interest.
"Jesse, huh? When did you meet?"
"You already know everything." I slowly muttered as she just chuckled and approached me to order.
"Step aside." I stood my ground and just stared into Lia's eyes as she smiled at me. I wasn't going to let her harm her, but as I stood in reality; Lia tapped me on my chest and I felt my entire body lose its power. In an instant I went from feeling like a god to collapsing like a dying dog. Lia continued to smile at my sudden state and with a gentle push I fell over to grab at my heart. Words couldn't form. All I could do was gasp in pain as Lia began to look over my girlfriend.
"She doesn't know what and who you really are. Amazing that you can't seem to hide yourself from those around your demi, but you hide it from someone you apparently love? You already broke the rule of discretion more than one god should be allowed to, so why not go all the way? I mean if she doesn't love you back after that you could just control her feelings much like you did to Raptor and his father."
"I would….never do that….to her." I growled back as she took the covers off of her to examine her body. Feeling over her form Lia slowly questioned with a giggle.
"But you'd do it to your demi? You care too much about him. Just as much as you do this woman. She's cute, but a little out of your league don't you think?"
"I'm lucky." I growled back.
"Yes you are. Very lucky. I should just kill you for this drastic deviation from your purpose to the attrition, but lucky as you are Marcus, I'm gonna give you the chance to make this right. After all, everyone deserves a second chance. But at a cost."
"What do you want?" I asked her back as I was feeling my life slipping from my body.
"I want to go see your demi. I want to tell him what kind of person you really are. He needs to know. He's grown soft just as much as you have. You both need to know what's supposed to happen and what will happen if you waste anymore of the attrition's time. Because Marcus? Look at me." She commanded, which took everything I had left to do. Once our eyes were locked she smiled and told me happily.
"I will not hesitate in killing the two of you. I'm I clear?"
I nodded and she proceeded to snap her fingers which in turn gave me all my power back. I let out a huge gasp as the pressure in my heart stopped hurting my chest. Turning away from Jesse and taking the first step past me she added on to her threat.
"But before I kill you I'll enjoy hurting her first. After all Marcus, it's not just you and your demi who have their lives on the line. Everyone who knows you will cease to exist. This realm will reset without you and what remains of your soul will be left in purgatory. We require a competent god who can maintain control over the masses, not one who is trying their hardest to live the life they once vowed to forget."
Her words stuck in my heart as she went to the center of the room to then urge me.
"Pick yourself up. You've wasted enough of my time."
"Yes….yes ma'am." I replied as I was completely scared for my life and for the life of Jesse. I had no hope in getting out of this. Lia always got what she wanted and for good reason, but Raptor can't hear the truth.
"He can and he will. Then he has a choice to make." Lia informed me as I stumbled back to my feet to turn to face Jesse who I immediately covered back up with the blanket. From behind me I heard.
"Let's go."
My emotions are dead to me right now. I had no way to fight back. So biting my tongue once again, I looked back at Lia and took my place by her side. She continued to share her sinister smile as she put a hand on my shoulder to prep the jump.
Raptor's POV.
I spent most of my morning searching for my wife. She had gone out according to the records at the front gate, but came back a few hours ago. Problem was no one could find her. So with some effort I used my old gifts to feel her energy. She was upstairs? I questioned as Yoga and Maggie followed me around the second floor of the capital.
"Where could she be?" Yoga asked me as I already knew, but was unaware that this building had an attic this whole time. Looking up at the ceiling I replied curiously.
"She's right above us. Yoga? Do you know how to get to the attic?" Widening his eyes he questioned.
"There's an attic?"
"So I'm not the only one then." I sighed as I was unaware of how to get up there even after being here this long. Looking over at Maggie I urged her.
"It looks like I'm gonna have to leave you guys for the time being. I don't know how to get up there so I'm just gonna….you know. If anyone comes looking for me please just direct them to my office. I'll try to be quick."
"Yes sir." Yoga replied as Maggie was just concerned for her mom's wellbeing. She's been a complete mess seeing Zeta in such a broken state and despite my best efforts it was just getting worse.
Taking a small breath, I gave my daughter one last look before jumping out of sight and into the attic. The first thing that hit me was the smell. It reminded me of my house's attic. Old and dingy, but this attic was a completely separate floor. It was massive in scale and when I began to look around I saw memories of times before my own. Old furniture that looked like it belonged in medieval times and enough dust to kill someone sensitive enough. How was this wolf up here breathing? I questioned as I began to make my way to wherever she was.
I stopped more than once to just look at some of the things up here, but what got my attention to stop completely was when I rounded a corner to be eye to eye with a full standing cutout of Shadow and Logan. They matched my height to the square inch and I felt my stomach curl in on itself when I stared at Logan more than I did Shadow. It felt like an outer body experience. Just to be standing where I was now made me really stop and think about every experience I ever had involving this man. How fate has dealt our hands made me wonder what would have happened if Logan's plan had worked out.
My eyes glanced back at Shadow just to take in his smile. These cutouts were nothing more than old advertisements the rebellion used to put on every street corner back before things got to this. Mainly meant for recruiting, but just seeing Shadow made lots of people join up. Can't deny it worked in the end. Yet the last time I saw him was during my final moments with Archer and I had to keep wondering why he appeared then and there. Letting out a small sigh, I struggled but took my eyes off the pair of cutouts and continued to make my way towards my wife who I soon found sitting on the floor with her head in her chest.
"Honey?" I gently called to her from behind as she was clearly crying to herself. Approaching her position I came to realize she had two lines of coke laid out on the dust covered wooden floor. I didn't even have much of a chance to say anything else before she went down to snort it. That's when I snapped and grabbed her from behind while shouting.
"Zeta! What the hell are you doing!?"
"Leave me alone!" She screamed at me as she elbowed me in the side of my face and fell to the floor to take the last line up her nose.
I stood there at a loss for what to do as she curled up into a ball. In a moment her cries stopped coming and she shut her eyes. I watched her as she then stopped moving. Her hands went still and that's when I felt my thoughts catch up to my brain.
"Zeta?" I mumbled in confusion.
Falling down to my knees I began to shake her in disbelief. Was she….?
"Zeta!" I shouted now as I felt around her neck for a pulse. She was cold and despite my best efforts I couldn't feel a thing. Shaking in my body I panicked when I suddenly heard someone cough behind me. Upon turning around I was eye level with a white fennec fox with two blue eyes. Marcus stood behind her as I was unable to question the situation. Giving me a good look over the fox soon said to me in a sweet tone.
"You're the one alright. Raptor Voltz?"
She then stood up and looked down on me as I was mainly concerned for Zeta who I had no clue about. Sensing my concern the girl looked at her to inform me.
"She's under my care for the time being. I'll return her to you as soon as we're done."
"Who are you? Marcus? What's the meaning of this?" I asked towards him as this was the first time I've seen him in days.
Marcus however didn't dare to open his mouth and that's when I knew this was no longer a safe place. Looking back at the other fox, she soon realized and urged me calmly.
"Don't look at him. Look at me. My name is Lia and I'm from the Attrition. Do you know what that is? Has he told you anything?"
"No?" I questioned in sadness as I was worried for Zeta. She was dead. She had to be. I couldn't feel her energy anymore. Giving me a small smile Lia proceeded to claim.
"You know the name though. That's a start, but you need to understand that Marcus isn't the only god in this world and by no means is he the strongest. His old master Roslin however was stronger in fact. No missteps and he surely never needed our intervention. I control the very fabric of your universe. I can do anything I want. I could kill this entire planet with the snap of my fingers. Need proof? Look at your wife for a moment. Her soul is mine. At least until we talk."
"About what? Let her go." I begged her as Marcus whispered from where he was standing motionless.
"Don't panic. Just listen to what she has to say and she'll leave us alone. Zeta isn't dead. At least not yet."
Marcus was warning me and that made about as much sense as anything could in this state. So I took the advice and just refocused on Lia who urged me to get back on my feet. Once I was standing in front of her, she took a second to feel my arm. She hummed happily a moment after and asked me.
"Been his demi for two decades and can barely master his gifts. You're a weak man. How long has it been since you took someone's life? Just as long, I'd wager."
"I don't kill unnecessarily." My reason came off lightly towards her and in response she asked me back.
"No, you're right. You don't. I know that from a first glance, but you clearly don't know what it means to be a demi. You're not given that position just to be a peaceful person after the storm has settled. Kinda like how your master here doesn't remember what it means to be a god to a realm. You've both gone soft and that goes against the Attrition."
"Then what is the point in being a demi?" I demanded an answer because I had a feeling Marcus had never told me the truth or at least the whole truth. Lia just kept smiling as she picked up on my spiked interest towards the subject. After a small staredown she replied back calmly.
"Simple. Organized chaos. A constant form of struggle that keeps the realm from advancing past a certain point. To prevent a species from advancing too soon up the food chain. This realm was constantly getting out of hand, but thanks to some dedicated individuals like Roslin and the gods past, things have been advancing at a much easier rate. Acceptable more so."
"My job is to make sure people keep killing each other? To what? Prevent advancement? How does that make any sense?" I questioned which is when I heard Marcus whisper.
"Relax. She can kill you in an instant."
Halted by the comment Lia urged us both.
"Both of you need to shut up. Listen to what I'm telling you. Your future depends on it."
I knew I had no choice in the matter. I just took a deep breath and obeyed as I was told.
"Your role is beyond important. The reason is bigger than any god. It's bigger than me and the Attrition. This is about the universe and your realm in particular has grown bothersome. You Raptor were once chosen because your thirst for blood goes beyond any mortal. So far beyond that Marcus saw the potential you had and thought you'd make a perfect successor to his throne. After all, why would you want to stick around for over a few centuries? You'd get bored, but since you've had your daughter you've softened instead. A demi who is supposed to kill is now a peacemaker? If things continue on the way they have, your people will be advancing at a rate that jeopardizes everything. Your population alone will drain you before anything else has the chance to reset you. You've failed as a demi. Just like how your master failed as a god." Lia now looked at Marcus as he was just giving her a nasty glare.
"What does my daughter have to do about this?" I immediately had to ask. Looking back at me now she replied.
"She's the reason you stopped killing. Her and your love for life." Turning on a dime Lia moved towards my right side to add.
"Which also reminds me to inform you that Marcus was clearly not telling you the rules of what being a demi entailed. Gods can not have heirs. By any normal circumstance your unborn daughter and your wife here should have died the second Marcus learned of her pregnancy." Looking back at Marcus again she went on to say to him confidently.
"And with that said Marcus; clearly you've tried to change your purpose by getting involved romantically with another mortal as well. You've also allowed far too many people to know of your existence. But you must forgive me Marcus, but we've already discussed your failure. You're useless to me. I should just kill you and watch as your power fades from your demi. Has he told you about that Raptor? If he dies, you die? Slowly. Very slowly." Lia chuckled as she noticed how angry I was that she brought up Sam. Giving me a small pout the fox then urged me while pointing at Marcus.
"Don't give me that look. Give it to him. He ruined your life. He ruined your family. He made you shoot Abbey."
Lia's POV.
The second I told him that last one Raptor looked like he was stuck in a rage filled trance. His head snapped over to Marcus as the look on his face was now one that showed him just how true the stuff I said was. Raptor had no other choice but to question with a growl.
"What is she talking about Marcus? You…?" Cutting him off, Marcus admitted to him as calmly as he could.
"You were never at fault for pulling that trigger. You were more than capable of saving her life, but I…..I needed you to hate yourself back then. To question your own abilities and resolve. So I merged with you during all the fighting and….I made sure you failed. I had to plan ahead for a successor and no one on the planet had more reasons to kill. You just needed a push or two to get there and I did what I thought was best. I swear if I could take that back I would in a heartbeat. I swear to you Raptor. I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. I didn't know it would end up this way. It was never supposed to get to this point."
Raptor put one hand on the ground and took a small moment to demonstrate the same power Sam has. Viper venom it was called. You could see it in his eyes as I decided to throw another wrench in the machine.
"You might as well come clean Marcus. Abbey wasn't your only idea." Raptor looked at me in disbelief then looked right back to Marcus to growl in anger.
"What else don't I know?! What else have I been lied to about?! What else!?" He screamed like a banshee and that made me happy as I could feel the old Raptor seeping out of his voice. The voice of a cold blooded killer. Marcus took a small step towards him to reply.
"I….I knew I wanted you as my demi. I knew for a very long time. You were….perfect. You just needed help developing. So I gave you my mark one night when you were sleeping. You were twelve back then. I needed…?" Raptor jumped forward to tackle the man into a nearby pile of stacked chairs. I watched innocently as Marcus did his best to guard the incoming assault. After getting struck twice with two lethal elbows, Marcus relied on his powers to phase out from under him. Raptor however knew where he went instantly and before Marcus could reappear he already began to jump again.
"Lia!" Marcus shouted in desperation as he hoped I would help. Not wanting the man to die to his own demi, I used my overwhelming power to throw Raptor back at his motionless wife. When he landed I made sure he stayed in place. I didn't even have to move from where I was. No physical contact whatsoever as my mental aptitudes went beyond imagination.
"What the…?! Let me go!" Raptor ordered me as Marcus held his own face together with one hand covering his right cheek.
"Not until you hear everything. Continue Marcus. You dug this grave. It's about time you laid in it." I informed him as he was actually shaking from the fear of doing more damage to their relationship. That alone was more than enough proof that he was worthless now as leader to this realm.
"Your father. I….I had to pressure a war between the world and your dad was in the perfect position to push the envelope. I merged with him for nearly six years and drove the man insane. I forced his hand and made him set aside everything for a war with G.U.N. Even you….his family. You grew up to hate him because of it and by no means was he in complete control at any point. It was all planned from the beginning Raptor. Your dad loved you and I know first hand that he wanted nothing more than to fix things. He just had no idea what to do. He died not knowing the truth and after you killed him and the rest of your family; I moved on with you not really knowing either. Then Julie came and Abbey….?" Marcus said more than enough. Whatever relationship they had would be over after this. Maybe Raptor would even try to kill him. Regardless, my job was nearing its end as I awaited for Raptor to say anything. He was too busy staring into Marcus's soul however.
"I had a plan from the very start. I had a plan and it worked for years. Every plan I've had over the last few centuries has worked. I see no reason why you need to punish us Lia. We have plenty of time to fix this. Give us that please." Marcus begged me as I released Raptor just to see how he would react now that he had no restraints. I was watching him quietly, but grew impressed by his ability to remain calm as he slowly got back down on the floor with his wife.
"I have no doubts you could fix this Marcus, but you and your demi broke many rules to get here."
"But you said everyone deserves a second chance." Marcus quoted me back now as I looked back at him to reply.
"And you're gonna get one. You have time. How long? A day? Week? Year? A decade? I can't bring myself to say, but you don't have the comfort of knowing when I'll be back. I'll come when I feel you've had ample chance to fix this. If I come back and no progress has been made; then there will be no more talking. You will die. He will die. She will die." I informed him as I pointed at Raptor's wife.
"Anyone who knows anything will die. You and this realm will reset and I'll make sure whoever takes over after will get the job done this time. I'm gonna enjoy playing with you Marcus if you disappoint me again. And just so we're clear you got the message Raptor…look at me." I ordered him as he looked up at me with those blood red eyes of his.
"Use that anger and do what must be done. Hate me if you must, but do what you were picked to do. Otherwise I'll make sure you regret it. Starting with your only daughter." Raptor focused on me solely after I said that and again he seemed ready to kill just off the threat alone. Pushing his buttons I asked him.
"How long do you think she can last? All alone and feeling the way she does? Hating her family. I know deep down you're a broken man by it. Did all that you've done just to raise a failure."
"Don't talk about my daughter." He growled at me as I got down to match his height and ask.
"Or what? You can't do a fucking thing. Your daughter? If she's anything like you I'll have a very fun time killing her. And who's that other wolf you use to cover up your biggest mistake? Maggie? Couldn't keep your own child so you opted into finding a replacement. You're an embarrassment for a parent."
Very gently I stood back up and looked back at Marcus to state.
"You'll find Jesse awake in a few minutes. Same with her Raptor. I'd recommend being there when they wake up. I don't think you'll want to be around when I leave either way Marcus. Heheh. Thank you again for your time. I'll be keeping an eye on you from now on. Remember what I said. Don't disappoint the Attrition again."
Raptor's POV.
Lia vanished and I was left staring at Marcus. I was gonna kill him. Nothing would change that. If dying grants me his demise I'll accept that.
Slowly trying to break the silence, Marcus went to open his mouth.
"Raptor I….?"
"Get out of my sight." I ordered him fiercely as he begged.
"Just please listen."
"I'm an inch away from breaking your fucking neck. Get out of my sight!"
Marcus was scared and he displayed that in his body language as he went back a few steps before phasing away. My eyes went back to look at Zeta who I could now feel breathing ever so gently to herself. However she was still out of it and I was left here to struggle with what I was just told.
However now I had a lot to think about and a lot of anger to vent. Looking back down to the floor under my wife I saw that fucking white powder just sitting there under her face. Leaving her where she was I began to look for the nearest way back downstairs. Soon I found the exit which was a small set of stairs that dropped down into one of the janitor rooms.
Finding the door locked from the inside, I was mad enough not to consider even unlocking it. Instead I kicked the fucking things three times and broke the hinges. People were all outside the room just doing their jobs as three random soldiers came to see what was happening. Soon Maggie and Yoga came running as well and once they were within distance I was asked by one of the soldiers.
"What's going on sir? Is everything okay?"
"Raptor what's….?" Yoga reached for my arm and once he made contact I turned to look right into his eyes. Him and my daughter just widened theirs as it was clear my venom had taken me over. With everyone just stunned silent I ordered Yoga with a direct and very verbal assault.
"Get your fucking hand off of me!"
"Raptor I…?" Everyone was worried, but that just made me more mad as Yoga hesitated in following the order. With his hand still on my arm I snapped and used my full power to grab him by the neck and charge him back first into the nearby wall.
"Dad! Stop!" Maggie begged me as I squeezed the ferret now with both hands. He instantly began to lose consciousness as everyone jumped in to grab me from behind.
"Dad!" Maggie screamed now as I was seriously gonna kill him.
With her arms going to my wrists, Maggie stood right in the middle of me and Yoga and screamed again with tears in her eyes.
"Stop! You're killing him!"
Yoga was out cold a few seconds later and I knew if I went any longer I'd really take his life, but with Maggie using her entire frame to get between us, I released my grip and jumped a foot back to watch as the ferret fell over.
"Commander!" I heard Zandro scream at me from down the hallway as I could hear more and more people coming to calm me down. Medics got between the scenes not long after to begin checking for Yoga's pulse. When I saw them check I again lost my control and kicked him square in the chestplate.
"Stop!" Maggie again begged me as Zandro's men now jumped in to control me.
Getting grabbed by two big wolves drove me to begin fighting back. Both of which I was instantly in control of because of my experience with close quarter fighting. The crowd had to give us room as I sent both the men to the ground in the matter of a few short swings and turns. However with no one in a position to act further, I was caught off guard when I felt my daughter jump onto my back.
She threw us down onto our backs and with all she had she held me by my throat using both her arms. In my ears now I heard her cry to me heavily.
"Stop! Please stop! Dad!"
I tried to break free but I couldn't without hurting her and that was not something I wanted to consider. So it took a lot but with both of Zandro's men getting back on their feet I began to calm down in her grip. With the whole building going silent, I relaxed my body and ordered my crying girl.
"I'm okay. Let go of me."
Maggie slowly did as I requested and once I felt her release me, I got right back up to look at Yoga who was just regaining his consciousness. Once he made eye contact with me, I ordered him.
"Get your fucking ass up there and get my wife some help. Now!" Yoga couldn't physically stand yet and he was so intimidated now that he actually crawled. The medics had to chase after him as I looked back at Zandro to be asked.
"What the hell has gotten into you? You could have killed him!"
Pressing the man instantly, I got in Zandro's face to reply.
"Watch your tone or I could kill you next."
"Dad!" Maggie again shouted at me as she and everyone around knew I wasn't being my normal self. With Zandro and I locked into a staring contest, I was asked by one of the medics who stayed behind.
"What has happened to Mrs. Voltz?" Maggie was more concerned than anyone as I replied back to the man in anger.
"She was up there snorting blow! She passed out after doing a line. Now get the fuck out of my way. All of you! "I commanded as the hallway opened up for my exit. Pushing out of the confined group, I was trailed by Zandro and his men up to my office. Once there Zandro slammed the door shut and asked me in his own angry voice.
"What the fuck is your problem?"
"Clean for twenty fucking years!" I screamed back as my voice was beyond his in terms of sheer savagery.
"So you take your anger out on your own friend and nearly kill him in front of the entire working staff!?" Zandro had a good point and I knew that but I wasn't about to listen.
"Don't you tell me what I can and cannot do! You're lucky to even be where you are now! If not for me you and your fucking operators would be dead!"
Getting right back in my face, Zandro questioned.
"Is that so?! Fact of the matter is your flying off the fucking handle! You're the goddamn president! Everyone looks up to you! You can't just do what you just fucking did to that man! That's not the man we all know and if the word gets out you might just start getting the same treatment Archer did!"
"Don't even say that name around me!" I ordered him as both the men who stood alongside us were just waiting for either me or him to snap.
"I'll say whatever I have to say, because I know there isn't anyone other than your wife who would dare stand up to you when you're like this! You lost control and I can understand why, but you need to smarten the fuck up and fix what you've done!"
"Go fuck yourself Zandro. You have no idea what I'm going through right now!"
"Why the fuck am I even here then? I'm here to hear you out! I don't know why you do half the shit you do, but we've been partners for over two decades now and I'd like to think you can talk to me about the shit that's bothering you. Not take it out on Yoga who has more than enough reason to take your ass to court for what just happened."
Biting my tongue I bluntly said back to him.
"He won't do that. He even tries I'll have him killed."
Shaking his head in disbelief, Zandro shouted at me.
"Jesus fucking christ Raptor! Listen to yourself for a second! Kill him?! How do you expect that to go? This isn't the rebellion days! You can't just go around killing people for no fucking reason other then to watch your own ass! We have a justice system now! You kill Yoga and you'll wind up in jail for god knows how long! Think for a fucking second you lunatic!"
Breaking away from Zandro, I marched right up to one of the few cabinets I had in the office and pulled out a bottle of whiskey and a glass. Setting it down on my desk, I look back up at Zandro and his men to order.
"Leave me. Now."
Zandro knew I wasn't gonna be reasoned with and took his chance to grab his men and fuck off. With the door now shut, I pulled out the cork to the bottle and poured a glass. Once it was set, I let out a small sigh and questioned what the fuck was I supposed to do now? I had no motivation right now for anything more than to get hammered.
mT Shadow.