The atmosphere was eerily quiet. Two people, Anthony and Aegir, were standing behind the huge swirling magic mirror leading to Artemisia's living room. Their faces were unreadable because of the one presence they never expected to be sitting by the sofa. They saw Saint there, lounging by the sofa; his eyes were busy wandering the place like a child's first time seeing the outside world.
Anthony and Aegir looked at each other, both confused. "What's Saint doing here? " Anthony asked in a whispering voice.
Aegir shrugged, his brows crumpled. He knew it! The guy realized something! But why was Artemisia okay for Saint to be here? Suspicious.
After their rendezvous with the goblin Mr. So, Anthony asked Aegir to take a stroll with him to the mall. They bought Aegir a new phone and some house supplies. Artemisia called them in the middle of their shopping, telling them that they should be in her house earlier than the call time for their next mission. Her tone was awfully serious. That's why they made haste but they didn't expect that Saint was in the picture.
They walked towards Saint who immediately saw them. Saint mustered a weak smile, he's well aware why Anthony and Aegir looked at him like he's a foreign creature. Normally, he had no business being here but the information that he holds is crucial for them.
Though Saint couldn't help but to still feel greatly amazed by what things he's seeing in here. There's a lot of magical items he only saw on television. He's trying his best not to touch them. There's the swirling magical mirror which can teleport somebody for example. He remembered the first time he was permitted to use it, he was so ecstatic.
Well at least it can distract him from the memory burned into his mind.
Anthony sat beside him, there's some hints on his face that he's trying to think on how to ask Saint. He is biting his lips and continuously shaking his head. Saint faintly laughed because he knew Anthony will still try to lie even though he's bad at lying.
Saint tapped Anthony's shoulder. "Don't sweat it, man! I already knew, " he blurted, sighing deeply.
Anthony brushed his hair with his hand in distress. Unlike him who had an inhuman lineage, Saint is just human and him getting involved here can endanger his life.
He saw Saint just shrugged, getting what Anthony's hopeless states meant. Saint knew the danger, he's scared but deep down there's excitement; something that will give color to his monochromatic life.
Anthony didn't utter any word but not Aegir who pinpointed Saint with narrow eyes and lips formed into a frown. "I knew it! You lied to us. How dare you! You saw us before, that's why you keep calling my master! You're fishing for information! " Saint's laughter echoed to the room upon hearing Aegir's accusations.
Aegir's stares against Saint were not getting any better. If only it's permissible to strangle a human, he'll do it in a heartbeat.
Saint didn't expect that Anthony's companion would be wary of him. Although, he is right; he indeed was trying to get information from them for his own amusement.
He raised both of his hands in a surrendering position. "I am sorry, okay? But promise, your secrets were safe with me. Cross my heart and hope to die! " He swore, even tracing a cross sign on where his heart lies.
He heard Aegir released an irritated sound, like he's so done with him. Saint clasped both of his hands and apologized in a low voice, "Sorry! "
With folded arms, Anthony placed a grave glance on Saint who immediately smiled at him nervously. "You shouldn't be here! It's dangerous for you, don't you know that? I know you're a fantasy geek but this is not for you! " A mix of utter frustration and genuine concern laced on Anthony's voice. Saint's eyes darted around in agitation, not wanting to look Anthony in the eye because he is guilty.
But Saint has other reasons why he's here, something awfully life threatening than finding out Anthony's secret. Just by thinking about it makes Saint tremble in sheer terror. Anthony caught Saint's change in expression, he could feel his gut twisted as heaviness struck in his chest. There's something that Saint wants to confess and by his intuition; Anthony could tell it's not anything good.
Saint took deep breaths, closing his eyes, he pushed himself to speak, "I am here because I saw something worse than finding out about your secrets—" Before Saint could even finish his sentence, Artemisia, Alucard, and Vin entered the living room.
Anthony's attention turned to Artemisia, he stood from his seat and looked at her in pure confusion and worry. "What's happening? What does Saint mean? " Anthony fired bullets of questions to Artemisia. His face gets more frantic in each passing seconds. What's more concerning than their secrets? What did Saint do?
With a nod of encouragement, Artemisia motioned Saint to tell his story. The tale that Saint shared sent a mixture of terror, wrath, and sorrow from those who were unfortunate to hear it. They felt how dire the situation was.
With a crumpled fist, Alucard snarled, "This has to stop! They're using that place to hasten their plan to capture souls. How dare those humans work with the enemy! That's why nymphs were attacked in the guise of the human government to hunt some poachers!"
Anthony was still in disbelief, trying his best to process what he just heard until a bitter truth made him remember that it's certainly possible to happen. Human greed is endless and they'll do everything to satisfy their desires even if it means the death of others. Still it made him speechless that the enemy was conniving with humans and people are foolish enough to trust a vampire... or perhaps they don't know that the one helping them fuel their dark desires also sees them as pawns.
He couldn't believe that Mr. So led his son to this. His agent is evil but Anthony never fathoms that he's far unpleasant than that. Anthony knew it must be hard for Saint to witness all of that atrocities and for his father to be part of that scheme.
"Did you talk with Mr. So? " Anthony inquired though based on how Saint moved his head, he already knew the answer.
And by how they encountered Mr. So in the morning, he was nonchalant even though he was part of a crime the night before.
"I haven't come home since yesterday. I still couldn't face my father after he brought me to that place. T...They were killing those people. Those missing person reports...it was them... " Anguish painted on Saint's complexion as he continued telling what had happened. His hands were shaking and tears fell from his eyes.
Saint was perplexed, he's attempting to recover more of his memories. He's certain that it's not just his father that was there, there's a blurry figure of a man that he's positive that is there. That scary looking man who caused him to fall unconscious.
Vin was also beside Saint, providing comfort. He understands Saint. Vin could see in Saint's eyes how many grotesque scenes he had watched, his pupils dilated and hands cold as if he dipped it on ice.
Aegir, who was also rattled by what he heard, gulped his saliva. Aegir moved to face Artemisia and came up with a question, "They took so many... but how? Some are using the magic lotion to conceal their true forms? " Artemisia nodded upon hearing the question, her eyes were calm and level-headed trying to discern the situation.
With that massive abduction scheme. Artemisia realized something grim. "I have three theories on how this is happening. It seems that even creatures using that magic lotion are not spared. One, they figured how to undo it. Number two, they'll continue to raise wars for casualties, and number 3...they don't discriminate against their victims on the alleys, may it be humans or not. The last one could be more viable because we already see human remains in their usual killing places. "
Saint could feel like throwing up with all the information that was coming to him. Flashes of the people's face drenched their own blood with eyes filled with nothing but despair played on his mind. He could still hear their screams and those who were still trying to beg to be spared. Men and even women and children paraded like objects and disposable livestocks on the mercy of the rich and powerful who chose to be deaf to their cries.
"W-Why do they need to treat people like that? " Saint was stuttering as he said this.
Vin replied in an instant, sure of his answer, "Because tormented souls radiated more energy than those who died in peace. So, we need to free them from their pain, " Vin replied while his eyes rested on Anthony whose expression was hard to read.
Anthony was trying his greatest to comprehend the situation. It's hard to accept that some people are beyond saving. He believed that anyone could change if you prove them wrong but he realized his naivety. He saw how the orc from their first mission finds pleasure in the desperation of others and it dawned to him that people like Mr. So are just the same; like monsters but dressed in human skin.
He could empathize with the victims. They tried their utmost ability to survive even if hope is forlorn but that hope was exploited and crushed by their captors and even if they live another day; they'll be killed slowly until they begged for a swift ending.
Anthony crumpled his fist in silent fury. "What must we do to save them? "
Alucard snapped his fingers and suddenly a projected image from an LCD projector manifested on where the flat-screen television lies. "We need to find a way to infiltrate it. "
Saint was quick to respond, "You need money to enter there without stirring a huge commotion to the media. You guys need me to recommend someone from your team with the same amount of wealth. "
"Is it Artemisia? Aegir guessed, putting his finger on his chin; thinking.
Shaking his head for a no. "It'll be suspicious if I invited someone I don't know. " He puckered his lips to Anthony's direction. " Him. That ass is not broken, he's just an idiot. "
Subtle gasp rang in the room. Anthony was even surprised that his name was brought up, he pointed at himself to be sure. "Me? I am just a writer and a student! "
Saint rolled his eyes. "Yeah tell that to yourself, your dad founded a company after retiring from his service in the military. Although it's thriving, there's rumors about the management being a shit. We just need to sue your aunt for not giving it to you even if you're already eighteen. "
Anthony was skeptical with what Saint said. He doesn't want anything to do with it since his aunt's abuse lessened to just infrequent when he let her have it.
She still slapped him and verbally assaulted him whenever she gave him his allowances and she didn't starve him anymore just like before or kicked him away from his home.
But what Saint told him next struck like an arrow to his mind and heart because it totally made sense.
"You want to save others? Save your own self first. " Saint chuckled bitterly. "Your resolve will soon crumble if you yourself don't believe it just like how you refuse to believe fictions before because it's easier to run away than to face things head on. "
Saint sounded like a hypocrite preaching things he doesn't know how to act. But it's better if he sees his friend move forward and help others with it. Maybe if Anthony will have courage to break free, he'll also be motivated to be liberated from the grasps of his own father.
Anthony was well aware that it was the truth...but he still couldn't help but to be terrified of facing his aunt and some of his shadows that's far more unfavorable than fighting enemies with the use of magic.
He wasn't afraid of haunting apparitions and ghostly shadows that his power offers but it's ironic that his own frightened him. Those things from his past that abandoned him and threw him like garbage, it's even a miracle that he didn't picked to be corrupted by it and turned evil himself.
But even before he's already aware that it'll catch up with him sooner or later.
Aegir, realizing his master's tense expression, placed his hand above Anthony's. "We're just here for you, master! " He beamed motivately, rubbing Anthony's fingers against his.
"A-Alright. Let's do it...but after we survive with our next mission later at night."
Unbeknownst to them, the enemy that they'll going to face was not like the orc. It's someone who harbors great animosity against the nymphs and holds darker secrets that are yet to be revealed...
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