Amanise watched the man go still in front of her after laughing at his joke. She thought they were both kicking it off right on start but he suddenly switched off.
He jerks his head sideways with an eerie precision before grinning unnaturally, his eyes glimmering with a malevolent light.
"What are you doing here, Vororo? You have finally woken up from your slumber. Should I alert the Void that you have join hands with the enemy? And a despicable spawn at that? Of all persons She chooses to destroy us She chose a human? The Harbinger has stooped so low. Disgusting."
"Is that Platoese? You are quite fluent for a language that is long extinct. I don't understand. Switch back to Socratic."
'The aura around him was strange now. Like he switched with something alien.' Amanise mused, 'Would you mind interpreting?'
Something ancient deep seated in her sighed.
Her hand rose up to grip at the man's head, surprised she tried to stop. Understanding earlier that it was futile. Her monster was controlling her body. Was that why It killed her ahead of now? Were they now fused unlike before? What has happened and why were there more questions to unravel?
" In my absence you have grown more foul than ever, Fexar. You ask what am I doing here? It's quite obvious."
" And what's that?" The monster bit out in false bravado from the pain he felt. The grip on it's head was tighter now. It felt Vororo's fingers dug deeper into his skull blood gushing out.
"Oh my my you have grown incredibly dumb Fexar. I am here to eat you."
Who was her monster? How did she get it? And wait there was something that goddess said she had and had to destroy?
" You seem to already have the Void in you. It only makes it harder. Find a way to ********* before it is destroyed."
What is the Void? And what was she supposed to find before something was destroyed. What was that something? Her monster was it her friend or foe?
She looked up from where she found her self in the consciousness of her mind. It was a large library, one of the largest library she had seen in her life, filled with books which height seemed to have scaled mountains. It was dark and a soft red glow from candles lightened the place up. She walked around, exploring.
Where am I?
She paused, her features tightening in annoyance. There was only one person who could do this. No.
One Monster!
"Where are you?! You bastard!!! I said where are...."
She found herself in front of a kid that looked just like her, no, she was mistaken rather the past her before her mother died. She was in front of a large flat tv eating popcorn. What was playing on screen was the Earl she was talking with seconds ago.
"Oh my God! What is happening? Why are you there and me here?"
Her younger self laughed softly, observing her as she sat in a swiveling chair that once belonged to her mother. Her mother's old office seat which she played with whenever she visited her office. She even had the guts to wave her hand.
"Hi! We are meeting officially for the first time even though we have met like a dozen times already. I am Vororo."
"What?" Dumbfounded, she just stared as Vororo appeared in front of her.
"And I am your monster. As for why you are here? I used one of the system's abilities. [Alter ego]. "
~~~~~~~~~~
"Excuse me, Miss. Is something wrong?"
She woke up from a haze at the familiar voice. She felt the pulse of someone's heart beating fast only to realize she had somewhat be strangling a whimpering old man. Jerking away in surprise, Amanise studied the mess her monster landed her into. There was blood in her hands and the bleeding body of ex Lord Chadwick on his knees before her, crying, his eyes somewhat betrayed.
What the fuck is this?
" I am asking you, Miss. Is there any problem?"
She cleared her throat. Visions of her mouth expanding to devour Lord Chadwick frightening her. Her mask felt heavy.
"No." She looked up to thank the person who stopped her from killing another person. Another who would die again in her hands this night. Her mouth hung open on seeing who it was.
A Phoenix masked man.
Alaric.
Being close to him she could see how marvelously crafted his mask truly was~ A gleaming gold and crimson enamel, it resembled the face of a Phoenix mid-flight, it's wings flaring upward to frame his sharp, mismatched eyes. His attire were arresting unlike the usual laid back style she first saw him in. A high collared cloak of black velvet swept the floor behind him, embroidered with threads of molten gold in the shape of rising flames. Beneath the cloak, his tunic shimmered like liquid ember, the fabric shifting colors between deep red and burnt orange as he moved. Around his waist, a belt of dark leather held a ceremonial dagger, its hilt shaped like a phoenix claw clutching a ruby.
Facing one another it felt like fire and darkness' wrath.
Did Hamlin have any hand in his flamboyant style today? What is she saying? Of course! Yes, he does! Whoever was Hamlin's tailor she wanted him asap as her own because damn the design was amazing. Art itself!
Alaric looked down at Chadwick who bowed his head to the floor.
"Phoenix." he greeted his voice wobbly. Her brows rose up when he looked at her again. Was she also supposed to bow? Her gaze narrowed, prickly.
At him?
She didn't want to. Before she could decide, Chadwick interrupted.
"May I be permitted to take my leave Phoenix I believe I might have sustained some injuries that needs to be treated."
"Are you crazy, Milo?"
What? Amanise's eyes grew round under the mask.
"Not yet Milord."
"Then I advice you lead Harbinger to the Halls of Rings for the gathering's closure."
Huh? She looked around, the large room was empty along with the musicians gone. Silent as a grave yard. No one was there anymore. Waiters, bartenders, nobles. Everyone was gone. Leaving both of them in their own bubble. If there weren't lights still on she would have screamed,
Like bad omen awaiting her, the chandelier lights went off along with the candle lights. It was utter darkness. Her mask fell to the ground with a thud. Adrenaline kicked in, opening her mouth to let out a chilling scream. Someone grabbed her by the waist spinning her back towards a wall, clamping her mouth shut as she was easily lifted up in the air. She screamed, struggling to pull out from the grip, her legs kicking upwards.
"Shut up Soren." Alaric's low, gruff voice whispering in her left ear made her freeze. He brought a cold mask to her face, which easily molded like it was meant to be.
"Let go of me, Now Alaric!." Now her mask was back on the girly high pitched scream from a minute ago was replaced with a haunting voice low enough to pass for seduction. All silk and poison, smooth yet chilling laced with deadly allure. She loved the ring of it in her ears. Maybe she should practice it out on people.
The grip on her waist tightened. Increasingly annoyed she flayed one of her arms free to put him in a head lock. It turned out to be futile, he didn't budge. For someone who was an artist he sure did pack muscle. There were low growls behind them then a low strained groan. When she was about to ask what that was, he released her. Her body plummeting face down.
Crash!
The lights were suddenly all back on. Moaning in pain, she turned to glare at him, her heavy dress in the way of her vision. She tried to roll sideways, so she could sit up properly to laser him down with her eyes stumbling at Chadwick in a similar position only that he was sound asleep.
"What did you do to him?"
"Nothing much." He answered, leaving.
"Hey wait! Help me up! My dress is too heavy. And any gentleman won't let a lady fall to the ground like you did."
She snarled at his retreating back. Alaric stopped before turning to her, sighing deeply.
"What makes you think you are a lady and I a gent?"
" Interesting question. Just pick me up Artist. I don't want to argue with you. Afterall the gathering has yet to end."
"It has already."
"What? How is that even possible? Umm... Phoenix still need help over here."
Exhaling heavily, he snapped his finger. She felt something pull her up large shadowy hands connected to the shadow beneath his feet.
"That was cool. Is that your power, shadow manipulation?"
"What makes you think they are shadows to begin with?"
Her jaw dropped on hearing his answer. "The gathering ended thirty minutes ago. Now will you shut up. "
" Thirty FUCKING minutes ago?!"
"You curse like a sailor, very un-lady like."
"If you heard more things I can say your ears would bleed." Putting her legs to work she made bold strides to match his pace.
"How did the gathering end and where are we headed?"
"Hamlin will deal with you later, so seal your mouth. Too rowdy."
"Okeydokey I tried now,,, At least tell me where we are headed and I will consider shutting my lovely mouth."
"To meet the others."
"By others you mean?"
"Yes. The first squad of the Monsters Syndicate."