In the compound Ritz had moved to Harold's corpse, his face tear stained.
He was still unable to believe what had just happened, this morning was just like every other one. With the others making fun of him Harold telling his various tall tales but in but a few moments... Ritz looked around, corpses strewn over the compound with some embers still burning.
*Thud* thud* heavy footsteps drew him out of his thoughts as his head snapped to the source. The Gladius walked in a calm fashion as though it had not just killed all the people he cared for, it came to halt as it turned to look at Ritz.
The sound of Ritz heartbeat drowned out the rest of the world with his fear seemingly forming tangible chains that bound him preventing him from moving an inch.
The Gladius stared at him for a few more seconds before continuing on its way, as it walked away Ritz did not feel the expected wash of relief. His eyes glued on to the back of the Gladius as the image of the man he admired flashed in his mind, "Jeor" with that name the tears that had just stopped began to flow once more with intensity.
"Aaarggh!" Ritz let out a scream before grabbing his knife and charging straight at the Gladius, when he was but a few inches away from the Gladius it quickly turned around slapping his weapon out his and lifted him by his throat with the same hand before plunging a blade that popped out from its forearm into his heart.
The Gladius continued to look Ritz in the eye as the life flowed out of the boy before dropping the lifeless corpse, with no more obstructions the Gladius simply left the compound.
************
*Tsk* Tsk* the sound of someone clicking his tongue was heard in the dead silent compound, as a man walked in and observed the scene. The man stood at 6ft and was dressed in a sharp black suit with a top hat to complete his look, the man moved with grace and purpose.
He arrived before Ritz corpse and looked down with a look that conveyed both mockery and disappointment, "stupid" with that said he moved to his final destination before squatting to look at Harold's headless corpse.
His eyes were drawn to the bulging veins on Harold's neck that still gave of a faint glow then proceeded to used his gloved hands to check Harold's forearms where he found the same thing.
"Hmm, aside from the bulging veins, there seem to be no other symptoms this time", the man made it back to his feet placing his hands into his pocket. "The target's output level was increased to anomalous degrees as expected and even went on to show telekinesis in his battle against the Gladius".
"Interesting", the man had a wide grin on his face as said the last word before turning to leave the compound. The man continued his stroll through the district before passing through the merchant district which was now devoid of people, the strange atmosphere had no effect on the man as he whistled a tune.
The man arrived at the industrial district which had a large amount of its factories silent, after the insurgents took over the town. The upbeat tune continued as the man took a number of turns and arrived at another district, the strong stench of various chemicals mixed with shit greeted the man almost immediately.
The buildings in this district were greatly different from those in other parts of the town. Beggars of various ages lined the street dressed up in rags, their hungry gazes fixated on the man, taking in his every move.
The man made his way through the street and soon arrived at another were various sounds made their way to the man's ears. Hawkers continued to hawk their various goods, with some pick pockets grabbing what they could before running off.
The man soon arrived before a building which was colorfully decorated, the man tipped his hat at the guard an made to enter but stopped as a rather chubby man was thrown out without his pants with a woman's voice screaming after him, "don't you dare come back without money!".
With that out of the way the man made his way into the pleasure house, the sounds of pleasure came from almost every door. The man eventually came to a stop before a door, unlike the others this one had screams of pain and pleas coming from it. Three men stood poised as though to enter but hesitated.
"At ease men, I'll take it from here" The man spoke, giving them a gentle and reassuring smile. Opening the door, the man saw another hulking man, his back muscles were bulging with, a tattoo of a stripped Tigvarl. Below the man was a mess of flesh, bones, blood and other distasteful liquids the pleas originating from it were now barely a whisper "you are as distasteful as always Zorfik".
"Do you not understand the meaning of a closed door in a whore house Arturo?" Zorfik turned to look at Arturo revealing his beastlike eyes and fangs. "Do you have to be so crass? I for one prefer the use of term pleasure house, also you do know that if you continue to treat the ladies of every fine establishment we go to like that, they are eventually going to refuse our patronage."
"I paid for her so I get to use her however I wish" Zorfik spoke as he pulled himself out of the mess and turned to face Arturo, "could you put on some clothes, no one wants to see that. Also our mission is over"
"The old man used it? Against who?"
"A Gladius walked into town" Arturo's words caused Zorfik to break into a wide grin showing his fangs. "No stop thinking about it, we have to report to the boss remember and besides you have had enough fun. Now put on some clothes".
Arturo left the room leaving Zorfik alone with the mess, to get ready. Zorfik spat on her and delivered another kick to vent his frustration.