The entire journey to the hospital, I had to supply the Magus Killer with my blood, which despite its innate potency, Kiritsugu seems incapable of absorbing properly due to the Curse afflicting him.
By the time we get him the much-needed analgesic, his burns have improved, save for his left eye, which now bears a milky sheen.
The eye is a fluid-filled orb, when irrevocably damaged, that's it.
[Reinforcement] is a handy tool that bolsters aspects of the body… The so-called 'night vision' is merely the Spell enhancing our 'dark adaptation' capacity. It may sound edgy, but it is a genuine phenomenon, I swear! The point is, the Spell cannot alter the fundemental of biology.
That falls well-within [Alchemy] territory, which means the Magus Killer cannot simply imbue a property that was not inherently present, like self-regeneration, to his lame eye. "It's alright, I've been through worse."
Gulping down the painkiller, Kiritsugu erupts into a coughing fit.
'He kinda looks like Kariya Matou…'
Throw in the white hair, and they could probably be mistaken for twins.
"So much for staying hidden… What now?" The homunculus was not a powerful foe, but had it been another Curse that came to my aid, the battle may have dragged on considerably longer. I dread to imagine the challenge that awaits us within Einzbern Castle if that is what they sent to dispatch us. "We hit them back."
I can't help but snort at his response. "You're usually not this reckless."
"There's no choice… They clearly have means to track our movements. If we don't do anything, they'll keep sapping at us until we die."
Pushing himself off the wall, the Magus Killer snatches up the duffle bag and staggers away from the hospital.
"No planning? So we are just winging it?" I level him a skeptical look.
"We have their location," Kiritsugu shrugs. "And be honest, Leo, do you even want a plan?"
"You got me!"
He declares, jaws squared as he turns the key, revving the engine impatiently.
"You coming or not?"
Placing $15,000 in the dazed driver's pocket, along with a note expressing my gratitude for the use of his vehicle.
The man is riding a Hyundai Sonata that looks like it has seen over 90,000 miles of asphalt.
Were he to have sold it to a dealer, he likely would have received a price roughly 50% the original price.
He not only gets a new car, but also has his expenses covered, which is as high as a poverty-stricker miser such as myself is willing to fork up as recompense.
Throwing open the door, I sit besides the Magus Killer.
He's in no state to drive, but my feet literally can't reach the pedal and brake… I am that short.
From where we are, according to the map, it should be a rough 4 hours drive, so I best buckle up. "You sure you should drive? 'Cause I can take over if you need."
"It's just an eye."
"From where I am, it looks way worse than just an eye, Kiritsugu."
"I'll live."
His reply is curt as ever, but I can tell from the way he's clenching his jaws that he's in a lot of pain, more than he's willing to admit.
The road is quiet, save for the radio's drone, which provides a welcome respite for the mind, like the distant sound of a train or the falling of rain.
It… Quiets wandering thoughts.
Halfway to drifting off, Kiritsugu abruptly slams on the brakes—No, something first hits the roof first.
I tilt my head upward to behold a wild, obsessive eye, rolling within its socket like a ping pong ball that eyes us, and a claw-shaped hand to the side of my face, just barely missing the crown of my head.
The sudden stop propels the homunculus in front of the car, sending it careening forward, its limbs twisted unnaturally.
"Great… Just what we needed—more homunculi."
Infusing the Storage Ring with Mana, I summon Equality, aiming it at the homunculus as it struggles to rise, its mangled form contorting to realign its limbs.
If Sadako and a zombie ever got together and spawned a child, I imagine he'd be the result.
"You did something to me, Leonis Magnus… It wasn't very fucking nice!"
Said the guy who tried to bomb us to oblivion before we could even have a proper banter, but whatever, I guess.
My response comes in the form of bullets and spells, as I amplify the shotgun's power through [Reinforcement].
"Oh, I do beg your pardon."
Poking my head out the window, I yell. "Is this more to your liking?"
Three rounds tear through the windshield, knocking the homunculus onto its back due to its unstable stance.
Kiritsugu, with an uncharacteristic aggression to his movements, slams on the gas, driving over the creature as I grasp my seat to steady myself against the jarring motion.
Shifting into reverse, he proceeds to run over the wretched creature once, twice, then a third time for good measure.
Just then, a police car in the opposite lane flashes its lights incessantly. How the authorities arrived so swiftly is beyond my comprehension, but at least they don't adhere to the logic of a horror movie.
Normally, I'd be elates, but under the circumstance, I find myself tempted to hurl curses the officers' direction. Thankfully body cams are have not been commercialized yet, or this could snowball from 'troublesome' to 'catatrosphic'…
"Somebody called the cops."
"Exit the vehicle, now!" The officer shouts while rapidly approaching the fallen Einzbern homunculus with his handgun drawn, while Kiritsugu and I exchange weary glances. "I'll handle the authorities. You go check on the homunculus."
"You hear me? Hands up!"
The officers yell again, growing increasingly aggressive as they finally comprehend the scene before them. "Get away from the child, you fucking psycho!"
Cautiously, they advance, their expressions stricken with terror as they near the twitching homunculus.
Suddenly, the creature lunges upwards, its movements more akin to an animal than a human, its cheeks splitting to reveal the skin beneath, its jaws unhinging like a snake as it leaps upon the officer.
Without hesitation, I practically teleport to the scene, yanking the demonic homunculus' hair back as it tears a gushing chunk from the cop's neck.
'An Apostle?'
I nearly hiss as the Einzbern's wounds mend at a startling pace, the regeneration visible to the naked eye.
Allowing a bloody smile to split its mouth, the homunculus fixes its gaze on me, its eyes boring holes in my head in a stare that manages to unsettle even me. Relinquishing the hold, I back away—repulsed; letting its head strike the ground with a loud, wet thud that haunts my ears. I'm just more familiar with the sound of flesh being cut apart and poked full of holes, that's all.
Next, it lunges onto the remaining cop, who hasn't even the time to press the radio strapped to his chest before it rips his face to shreds, fangs piercing his brain like a jaguar. I'm immediately on it again, a step too late to save the cop. A tiny burst of annoyance spikes through me as its bent limbs snap back in place like a broken mannequin.
"Will you just fucking die!"
I curse, trying to pummel it to oblivion, but the fucking Apostle just laughs.
"You did something to me… Now they won't stop!" For a second there, I thought I was staring in the eyes of the snake from the 'Jungle Book', until a burst of fear; rage and thrive rush through me—powerful emotions; overwhelming emotions; new emotions. 'Mystic Eyes?'
I observe closely as his sole strikes my solar plexus, propelling me backward with force to bend steel.
Feet digging into the ground, my features contort in response. "Before, I couldn't truly experience pain, you know. I was aware of injury, but it was more of an acknowledgment than a sensation. Now, I feel everything."
A gunshot pierces the air, the bullet whistling past as I adjust my own mental state, still reeling and trying to break free of its Spell.
There is a straightforward solution to this—self-hypnosis.
Typically, this technique is employed momentarily every time a Magus enacts their Mysteries, but I've found another application for it today.
When a regular person wishes to hypnotize themselves, they must persistently deceive themselves, telling themselves whatever they need to hear.
The Magi's method, however, is more complicated.
Beyond simply lying to ourselves, we also manipulate the amygdala, deactivating the part of the brain responsible for producing and regulating emotions. The approach I prefer is to reinforce the regulation aspect, enabling me to think as critically and rationally as possible. Because of the fragility of the brain, caution is always advised, but at this point, I'm well past the need for such useless thing.
The colors have a slightly muted quality now, like they're being filtered through a veil.
The sharp pains that would occasionally assail my heightened senses have faded.
Even the terror—the instinct to survive that I would have to wage war with every time I enter battle—has begun to vanish.
Everything has an abstract quality, and it is… Freeing.
To no longer be beholden to the tyranny of emotions; to be freed from the pull of likes and dislikes, hatred and love, fear and bravery; to have the shackles of humanity broken asunder.
For the first time, I am able to exhale in true relief, drinking in the beauty of the world without any bias. If only I am capable of the need to stop and appreciate it.
'Why haven't I tried this before?'
I idly wonder, then remember the foolish need to pick a 'cool' Craft instead of working on the basics 'I' felt.
In the corner of my vision, I observed the homunculus slashing at the Origin Bullet hurtling his way, a manic grin stretching ear-to-ear. "It's emotions… I have granted you true Humanity." I clap. "Congratulation Pinocchio, you're officially a real boy."
"Emotions?" He questioned, brows furrowed—expression exaggerated.
"Yes." I replied, meeting his glare with my own.
Like the serpent which tempted Adam and Eve, I glide forth, one hand raise to halt the Magus Killer in his tracks.
"Yes, emotions. Real, proper emotions. That smoldering ember in your chest? Quietly casting the shadows of sensations and past memories? That, I believe, is resentment."
Only, it won't be Adam and Eve whom I shall tempt, but the Devil himself, and it is not the Fruit of Eden I'm trying to sell, but the Original Sin—Pride.
*DING!
"And that swelling in your chest? It is pride—pride in what you are… Pride in your superiority. I can hardly fault you, look at you!" A touch of flattery will do no harm.
His emotional intelligence is that of a child's…
All I needed was to inflate his ego, and I should be able to turn him against the Einzbern.
I do require Knights for my Round Table, after all.
"I'll kill you." The homunculus growls.
Tilting my head, a gentle yet hollow smile gracing my lips, I inquired, "Why? Because your Master commands it so?"
I remain still, hands clasped behind my back—my words shards of glass carving deep into his Soul.
"Because that is what a good little flesh doll must do, right? Accomplish his mission? Even if his Master can't be bothered to glance at him twice…"
"Shut your mouth!"
He yells, and I raise my voice to just barely overshadow his, the corners of my lips lifting in a sardonic smile.
"They've already made your replacements, haven't they?!"
Shortening the distance between us to unsettle the homunculus further, I smile.
Most creatures prefer to have their personal boundaries respected—whether a dog, a cat, or a human. The closer one gets, the more the heart races as fight-or-flight instincts kick in… The closer they are, the easier it is to hurt you.
'Three for acquaintances; five for strangers and ten for enemies…'
I repeat in my head, stopping just short of 3 feet away, close enough that he gets a full view of my actions, but not enough that he will lash out.
"That heavy pressure on your chest? The slow, reluctant drumbeat of your heart; the tensing muscles every time you cross another one of them… It is dread. Dread that today will be the day you're replaced; scrapped and taken apart for parts, isn't it?"
There's a desire for kinship too, but it is not a primary desire, instead a result of the dread he feels—the desire to leave parts of oneself in the world; to be immortalized rather than seen as 'disposable minion A'.
I can use this to my advantages…
"Shut up!" The homunculus raises his voice again in an attempt to regain control, but I can feel his resistance beginning to waver. Just a little more pressure and he'll cave.
"Are you satisfied with that? To be nothing but another failed experiment to the Einzbern? Do you really think killing us will make Jubstscheit value you any more?!"
I demand forcefully, watching as his features slacken with confusion.
Just one more push. "Now's the time of reckoning, homunculus! Are you a thinking, feeling sentient being, or merely lines of code carved to mimic it?! Are you a person, or a machine?! Choose!"
Voice rising in intensity, I challenge.
"ARE YOU CONTENT WITH THIS? OR ARE YOU GONNA FIGHT FOR YOURSELF?!!"
He screeches like a wounded beast racing forth, hands stretched to grab at my collar.
I allow him to, signaling for the Magus Killer to lower his weapon.
'Anger.' I note, watching the emotion flare in the homunculus.
Smoke escapes through his gritted teeth as he hisses, "What alternative do I have?"
'Bargaining.' Hopefully we can bypass the depression and put him directly to use.
Maintaining my composure, I respond calmly, "There are always alternatives, you merely have to decide: What are you, a machine or a man?"
'Acceptance.'
No, I suppose enlightenment is the better-fitting term considering the circumstances. 'Woke?' Even through the filter, amusement bleeds into chest.
"I'm a man."
My lips thin, lifting up in a soulless smile that really should've told him something's off.
"Does 'a man' have a name?" I prompt, instantly switching my tonality to be more accomodating. "John… John Arston."
"Well, John Arston, you follow me; you help us, and I'll give you far more than the Einzbern ever could. Follow me, and you shall be above billions, while answering only to one—me."
I propose, locking eyes with the homunculus, while he searches my face for signs of deception, finding none.
It is the truth, after all.
I doubt the homunculus can find the human connection he so desperately seeks in me, but whatever else is manageable.
"How do I know you're not lying?"
I snort at the naïve question, throwing his words back in his face. "You don't, but what alternatives do you have?"
"You're asking me to bet…"
"I'm merely laying out your options."
I shrug, already mentally preparing to materialize Senza Esitazione in case things take a turn for the worse, then he drops me to the ground. "So my option is to trade one collar for another?"
"I'll sweeten the deal and allow you the Einzbern seat… Their riches; their Magecraft—you may keep it all." Though my heart bleeds at the mention,
We hold each other's gaze, then he glances at the Magus Killer. "Mind telling him to put down his weapon?"
"He's an Einzbern, Leo!"
Kiritsugu reminds me again, while I continue to study the homunculus' expression. What fascinating creature the homunculi are… "It's fine, he can be trusted."
How can 'the Devil' resist such temptations?
"Leo…!"
Kiritsugu calls out, his voice heavy with warning as I turn my back to the homunculus. As much as I'd like to believe my own words, Kiritsugu is right.
The homunculus cannot be trusted.
At a first glance, it may appear like I've dropped my guard, but it is really ever down? On one hand, this will show that I am willing to look past our past conflict, but on the other, it also doubles as a test which John Arston won't like the outcome of were he to fail. "You are a strange person, Leonis Magnus."
"I'll take that as a compliment." I declare, climbing into the car under Kiritsugu's and John's doubtful gazes.
Poking my head back out the window, I add, "Oh, and, you mind taking care of the corpses? It would be terrible if someone were to discover them, after all." I have no idea why I was even annoyed in the first place… This is the laws of nature. The strong eats the weak.
Sitting back down, I consider keeping my emotional responses suppressed forever, but ultimately decide against it. No matter how skilled an actor I may be, there are certain nuances I simply cannot replicate convincingly, and few are willing to trust and lay down their lives for a psychopath.
While I—as I am—may be able to fool them for a time, there will eventually be slip-ups.
"To forgo freedom…" I chuckle, somehow able to find a smidgen amusement in the whole situation despite my condition. "The things I'm willing to do for power."
[Reinforcement] weakening, I slowly relinquish the hold.
I expect to be overwhelmed, yet no huge change seems to occur.
Moments later, the other two uneasily climb into the car as well. "Guys…"
Already tense, they whirl to give me this empty stare that seem welded to their faces. "What do you call a blind SS soldier?"
"Don't you dare…" Kiritsugu growls.
"What?" The homunculus, clearly unfamiliar with a little thing called 'dark humor', questions.
"A not-see."
The Magus Killer groans, hands gripping the wheel tightly while stress-line pop up on his face.
Muffling up a laugh, I turn to look at the homunculus, who just gives me this confused stare as his last two brain cells start to clocks in overtime just to understand the joke.
Never mind, I am so back.