Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A new, unexpected update, they said. Free lunacy, they said. It´ll be just a minute, they said. Well, somebody has to let the upper management of Project Moon know that someone, somewhere majorly fucked up.

I mean, there HAS to be an explanation as to why I found myself quite literally fished out of a great big pond of possibilities and plopped out on a dusty grey sidewalk. I definitely knew that no terms and conditions would ever cover getting wrapped in chains and pulled through a portal after downloading a phone app update for Christ´s sake. If technology like that existed, I bet Jeff Bezos would immediately seize the means of production and then charge triple for a much shittier version, while marketing it as „Once in a Lifetime Experience“.

That would probably be the thought process of a reasonable person in my position. Meanwhile, the only thought in my head in that precise moment was: Fuck, is my phone okay?

Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration. There was also a secondary thought channel filled with a continuous stream of the most inventive swearing known to a person who spent most of their life on the internet. Then again, what else could I be thinking in my situation?

Imagine for a while that you´re some ordinary schmuck living your pathetic, but not-so-terrible life and suddenly a godly hand grips you by the neck and decides that you should see new places. The next moment you are aware of, you are in a place that physically shouldn´t exist, surrounded by people that also shouldn´t exist and nothing they say is in any way, shape or form understandable to you, aside from the very obvious fact that they are just as lost as you about your sudden arrival.

The singular positive of the situation was that my phone was indeed okay.

Before I had time to enjoy my hopeful discovery, however, I heard a very distinct and equally exasperated sigh next to me, followed by a sinking feeling that I was totally screwed.

„Please, tell me that at least one of you can understand me.“ I mumbled, mostly towards the group in front of me. Seeing only further confusion on the twelve-or-so faces and a clock, I turned around to the Gaze himself. He was taller than I expected and his skin was actually grey, which was strange, but nowhere near as absurd as anything else that was happening at that moment.

He was looking at Dante as he spoke, not sparing even a moment to address the stranger in his close vicinity which was… well, it was a thing that happened, let´s leave it at that. He did also say „Danteeeh“ which provided a small clue as to who he was talking to and, to me, also the tiniest grain of amusement to offset all the dread that was taking hold of me. Faust briefly interjected in Dante´s stead, after a brief moment of thought.

To my surprise, there was indeed one person whom I could understand. The problem? They also happened to be the only person without an actual mouth.

„How did this even happen? Faust, I thought I could only pull identities of the Sinners from Mephistopheles not… random strangers? Also, I should mention that they are wondering if any of us can understand them. I feel that it would be appropriate to answer to see if they can also understand me in any way.“ Dante said, pointing at me. Their voice still came out as ticking of a clock, but I still somehow understood every word perfectly.

Dante´s revelation produced a considerable amount of chatter among the rest of the group. I was kind of glad I couldn´t understand what they were saying. Especially when Outis looked at me as if she was deciding whether I should be tortured for information first or just disposed of by shoving me into the bus engine. Luckily, they all fell silent as Vergilius shuffled back inside the bus without as much as a word of acknowledgement. I supposed that it was his way to leave it up to Dante to deal with me. I promptly picked myself off the ground and made a meager effort to dust myself off. Least I could do was to pretend to appear presentable.

„Okay, here it goes. Hello, I am Dante, Manager of Limbus Company-“ Dante spoke, or rather tick-tocked at me. It was odd, hearing the ticking and also knowing what those sounds meant in words. I suppose it was kind of comparable to deciphering morse code on the go.

„I already know who you are, Manager Dante. And yes, I can understand you, which I find just as odd as you probably do.“

„Great! That makes things easier.“ Dante perked up, greatly relieved that they didn´t need to pantomime what they were trying to say. „Wait, you know me?“

As expected, it made the Sinners uneasy. At least those whose names didn´t start with F and end with aust. She was the only one who didn´t immediately reach for a weapon.

I continued, doing my best to try and ignore the growing hostility. „Not in the sense that I know who you were before the clock. It´s kind of complicated, actually, but before I start picking that topic apart, I´d like to know what happened here. Updating an app on my phone doesn´t usually result in dimension hopping.“

Dante turned to Faust, supposedly communicating the very thing I told them, but in a hushed voice that I couldn´t quite make out and apparently, neither could the rest of the Sinners, judging by the confusion written all over several faces. A while later Faust replied to Dante and in a bizarre telephone fashion Dante then spoke to me.

„Faust… that´s her… would like to see the app. She presumes it´s on the device you´re holding.“

I did not like where the conversation was headed, but having no other option to support my claims, I handed over my phone, unlocked.

„I don´t think you´ll get past the loading screen, but this is it.“

I pointed out the application to Faust. Considering the fact that Dante´s flaming head shaped like a clock and the company´s name were both front and center of the icon, there wasn´t anything I could´ve done to keep my knowledge of their possible futures secret.

Especially not once Faust opened the app and the title screen was a splash art of Don Quixote´s Battle Pass E.G.O with the slogan of Limbus Company: Face the sin, save the E.G.O. The familiar piano and violin tune played, with the sounds of rustling chains and faint ticking of a clock in the background. I was rather glad it was just an instrumental. The splash art alone was already a big enough spoiler, judging by Faust´s slightly shaken expression. She promptly closed the app before the others and especially Don had even a chance to partake in the view.

In that moment I was certain that I was ahead of their timeline with my knowledge. In my musings of doom I nearly missed what Dante was trying to tell me.

„So, that more or less confirmed Faust´s earlier assumption. We… as in, you and me… we synchronized. It should apparently be so unlikely that the event is practically impossible, but...“

„Don´t you dare apologize, Dante.“ I bit back. Although neither of us was in any way responsible for what happened, I felt especially angry. They lost nothing, while I was stripped of all I´ve ever known. „My only ask of you is to send me back.“

„I think that´s reasonable ide-… Faust, what do you mean can´t we just… can we not send them back?“ Dante asked, turning to Faust once again. She seemed to think for a brief moment before shaking her head and saying something. She then went inside the bus without elaborating as to why. Or rather, if she did tell Dante anything, they didn´t tell me, which already didn´t bode well with me and my continued survival.

The Sinners standing around didn´t look particularly phased anymore, as most of them relaxed into simple boredom. Aside from Outis, who was still eyeing me with contempt and Don Quixote who decided to step closer in the absence of Faust, and tried animatedly gesturing a question. If there was any rhyme or reason to her movements, I could not see it, however.

„Don, I know you have questions, we all do, but they can´t understand you any more than people outside of the company can understand me… I think.“ A moment later Don has apparently formulated a singular worded question, to which Dante reacted with what sounded like it was supposed to be a sigh. „I suppose, that´s a good question. What name should we call you in the meantime?“

„Alighiero.“ I replied, trying to not sound like I was about to shit my pants and run around like a headless chicken. „It´s not my actual name, but it´s the only name I will give you.“

„Huh… I´ll keep that in mind…Alighiero.“ Dante said quietly.

As Faust returned, I could see she had a strange expression on her face. It wasn´t one of surprise or horror, but it certainly wasn´t calm, either. I felt it was the kind of expression one would make while holding a beloved stuffed toy that has outlived its use – immediately before throwing it away. Chills ran down my back, however, I couldn´t dwell on them as the group of Sinners was thrown into the state of combat. The opponents weren´t particularly scary, they were just Backstreets rats. In other words, not exactly threatening to Dante or the Sinners.

On the other hand, I was unarmed, very squishy and conveniently in the range of one of the attackers. Though the assailant was cut down by Faust a moment later, they succeeded in landing a cut that went through my clothes and skin, soaking my torn sleeve in fresh blood. I pressed on the wound to stave off the bleeding somewhat. The wound wasn´t particularly bothersome to me all things considered. If I was going to be killed by the higher directive of Limbus Company to protect their secrets, it probably didn´t matter… was what I would have thought if I didn´t see Dante also holding their arm.
In the exact same spot. Despite their coat showing no signs of damage, they were bleeding.

I met their eyes (clock-hands?). I wanted to say something, anything really. An apology would probably be best, given the fact that we were probably wounded because I was injured, but then again it was probably preferable that we found out that our lives were so intimately entwined before I was experiencing more serious bodily harm. Or death. Or fate far worse than death.

After the fight was over, everyone including myself found themselves inside the bus. Vergilius was nowhere to be seen and Faust, too made herself scarce soon after the fight was over. I could only imagine that one or both of them were having lengthy discussions of the most recent discovery regarding me and Dante.

I found myself in very close company of Yi Sang, who was dressing the cut on my arm, while Outis was doing the same for Dante. The cuts on our respective arms were absolutely identical, which made everyone around especially nervous. I couldn´t blame them. I went from a bizarre annoyance to an endangered keystone species real quick.

„So, Alighiero…” Dante began after Outis laid off their back and started lecturing Yi Sang on the particulars of wound-dressing techniques while undoing his work and starting to wrap my arm all over again. „...who are you?”

I blinked. I guess it was just my wishful thinking to expect Dante to not question me further. Best I could do was deflection and excuses, but even those wouldn´t last forever.
„It´s a loaded question and we are surrounded by people who can´t understand me. Do you really want to bother translating for them?“

„I suppose not, but I still have questions. The City isn´t easy to live in and, pardon the expression, you don´t look like you would survive very long on your own.“ They pointed at my whole person. I could only laugh.

„Look who´s talking. You may be slightly more durable than me, but when it comes down to it, if it wasn´t for your ability and position, you´d be just as useless as me.“

I didn´t get to find out what Dante thought about my comment because Faust returned, with Vergilius in tow. She was holding a stack of papers, this time a fair bit thicker than before. She spoke to Dante and her words made quite a stir among the group, at least until Vergilius silenced them with a glare.

„Faust, are you sure this will work?“

I did not like sound of that at all, but at the same time, I was painfully aware of the fact that I didn´t have many choices if I wanted to survive in the City. All things considering, I got lucky. Hermann would scarcely be so gracious without an obvious ulterior motive and Demian´s group creeped me out.

„Okay, I´ll ask them.“ Dante turned to me again. „Alighiero, according to Faust, the safest and easiest option for everyone involved seems to be for you to join Limbus Company as a temporary employee.“

„Temporary how?“

With a sigh, Dante asked Faust. What followed was an incredibly long string of words from Faust. Which Dante translated as she spoke, mostly because there was no way they would remember the exact phrasing otherwise.

„In short, it´s an administrative loophole. If you were a full-time employee, you´d need to be a certified graded Fixer first and only then hired. Temporary employment is more lenient on the rules, since it is closer to case-by-case employment, which covers existence of specific factions that are not directly overseen by anyone aside from the Head. As a caveat, should the Company wish, you could be fired with immediate efficacy, but given your unique position that is highly unlikely. Ehm, those were Faust´s words, not mine.“

„Sounds about right. Where do I sign?“

Understanding before Dante could even translate my words, a contract appeared before me, with an empty dotted line and an offered pen to boot. I did not hesitate.

I did not expect a simple signature to be so involved. I wasn´t even signing it with my own name, yet each loop and line gliding across the paper felt as it drew something out of me. With the last flourish I lifted the tip of the pen off the page. As I lifted my eyes to look around, I was flabbergasted. Instead of the interior of the bus, I was staring into an endless space filled with countless stars and galaxies, pulsating around a singular bright point somewhere in the distance. I felt the pen leave my hand as if the muscles released on their own. I didn´t even dare to breathe, that was how entranced I was by the whole thing.

All of that disappeared with a sharp, stinging pain I suddenly felt radiating from my left cheek.

„Oi, look over ´ere. That Alighiero bloke is still with us.“ Heathcliff grinned at me victoriously. „Could´ve sworn you killed them for good, Clockface.“

„Do you realize that if that happened, Dante would also die? Or are you not smart enough to think that far?“ Ishmael ribbed into Heathcliff. She was lucky to not be within the bat´s reach. No, even luckier than that, because Heathclif´s bat wasn´t within his reach, either. As such, he settled for growling at her through gritted teeth.

I could finally understand what they said, but I decided to keep the cards close to my chest just for a bit longer, to leave everyone in an uncomfortable suspense for as long as it took. Especially since my throat hurt as if someone tried to strangle me, only to give up halfway through the process. My hands reached up to scratch at the irritated skin, only to touch something cold and metal. It was a collar-like necklace, attached to a chain which itself fed into Dante´s chest. Unlike the chains in the game, the chain that connected the two of us were glowing, silvery-white.

„Welcome to the Limbus Company… I guess.“ Dante said, helping me back on my feet. The chain around my neck disappeared into fine silver mist which then disappeared into thin air as well.

„Can you understand the rest of us now, Alighiero?“

„You tell me. Does Ishmael bicker with Heathcliff like that every hour or just every other hour of the day?“ My innocent jab made Rodion snort, barely making an effort to stifle a laugh. Heathcliff and Ishmael would probably be at each other´s throat about the matter if Charon didn´t just shut the bus door. They hurried to their respective seats, as did most of Sinners who were not already seated.

„Good. This makes certain matters much easier.“ Faust nodded before turning to Vergilius who has since returned to his seat in the front of the bus. „Am I to presume that you still cannot understand what they are saying, Vergilius?“

One tired sigh later, Vergilius spoke. He didn´t even bother turning his head towards Faust, looking at something in his hands. „Yes, Miss Faust. The tone of their voice is much clearer now, though. In most cases that is more than enough to facilitate necessary communication.“

„Excellent. I will inform the headquarters of this development at once. If recent events have not made it clear enough, it is advisable that none of you make an attempt on Alighiero´s life for your own sakes. In all likelihood, Dante won´t be able to restore them, since they can´t restore themselves either.“

With those words, Faust disappeared to the back of the bus, leaving a vacant seat. As Charon revved up the engine, I quickly made move for the vacated seat. I sat down just in time to not be jostled by the speeding vehicle.

„Hi, I´m Hong Lu.“

„Yup. I know.“ I nodded along politely.

„Wow, do you know everyone´s names?“

Though I didn´t have a clear view of everyone on the bus, it was safe to assume that others were just as curious as Hong Lu, even if they tried to hide it.

„Yes.“

„HAST THOU HEARD OF OUR LIMBUS COMPANAAAYYY?!! MAYHAPS FROM AN ARTICLE IN A MAGAZINE?“

As I should´ve expected, Don did not wait long to unleash her yapping at full force. The fact that she waited her turn at all could be considered a miracle. Poor Yi Sang was in the blast zone, likely robbed of half of his hearing ability.

„You could call it that if it makes it easier to understand, but no, not exactly.“ I scratched the back of my head. I fruitlessly reached into my pocket only to remember that Faust still had my phone, which only furthered my already rising annoyance. „I know you from a certain type of books, individually. Though, not all details apply. If they did, there wouldn´t be a single woman on this bus.“ Don´s jaw dropped in disbelief.

„That is so interesting.“ Hong Lu mused. „I don´t think I could imagine Don as a man.“

„A valiant knight can be man or woman, young Hong Lu. Gender matters not, only the vigor and unshakable resolve to do what is just.“ Don defended her point. „I, for one, would not mind being a man in the least.“

I heard someone clear their throat and turned towards further to the front of the bus. Outis was seemed quite perturbed. „What you said earlier – knowing our identities from books, however inaccurate to our versions here…“ She stared at me with so much scrutiny that I felt like I was being cross-examined at a trial. „...does mean that in theory you have knowledge on our pasts and futures, correct?“

I worried that could´ve come up. The only viable play was to twist the truth with partial lie.

„In a way you could say that I know a thing or two, but the inaccuracies make the information I do have pretty useless. Most of the stories are very dated compared to this world´s environment, which is obvious just by looking around. Though certain points may be similar or even the same, even knowing the context I would not be able to pick apart what applies and what doesn´t.“ My answer seemed to satisfy Outis, though I doubted she trusted me just yet. The rest of the bus grew quiet as Vergilius decided to pose a question himself.

„Quite an amount of chatter the newest passenger is generating. I feel it is only right that I should ask a question myself.“

Silence fell on the bus. Only sound that could be heard was a metallic of a lighter, which I was positive belonged to Ryoshu.

„How kind of you to quiet down for once.“ Vergilius said. He could´ve been smiling to himself, but I couldn´t see if that was indeed the case. „Alighiero, knowing what you know – what are your intentions with the information you possess, regardless of their perceived accuracy?“

It was a completely valid and logical question. I could imagine Faust to ask the very same thing, though maybe worded a little bit differently. Straddling the thin line between half-truths and lies, I laid perfect ground for my own, and hopefully just figurative, demise. If I were to lie in any way, he would find out. Although his face was turned away from me, I could´ve sworn that he knew I was guarding some sort of a secret. Vergilius however made no move to directly reveal what I knew. Instead he simply wanted to know my reasoning for keeping the secret itself.

„Hong Lu, I´d like to address Vergilius word for word. Would you translate for me, please?“

„Hmm, I see no problem with it.“

I cleared my throat and began. „The unchanging truth is that I will always act in my own best interest first and foremost. Given the situation, it´s clear that acting in my best interest is one and the same as acting in the best interest of Dante and therefore Limbus Company as a whole. So that is what I´ll do. Whether the best course of action is to reveal things or keep quiet will most likely change moment to moment, so making a rigid decision to do one or the other would be a mistake.“

Even when Hong Lu finished, Vergilius didn´t reply. I was unsure as to what to make of his silence and the silence among the Sinners that followed. I decided not to question it. That day, I became part of the Company. Only time would tell whether that was for the better or for worse.

Chapter Text

I wish someone had told me that bus rides were boring. First two or so hours were by far the most entertaining as I scrambled to not get thrown out of my seat by Charon´s impressive drifting, but once I got used to being constantly shaken (not stirred) it lost its appeal. Another thing entirely was that Don Quixote had a memory of a goldfish and after about five minutes of peaceful silence she began to recount the stories of her mighty adventures to everyone unfortunate enough to still have a sense of hearing. The collective groaning that followed somehow gained musical qualities somewhere along the line, which was at least kind of notable.

Seeing no other option to save everyone from yet another long tale of vanquishing a vicious beast (something about a Killer Bunny. I half expected a holy hand-grenade to also make an appearance, however that didn´t happen), I decided to ask the most roadtrip-coded question to ever exist.

„So… what´s the current destination?“

„I was wondering about that as well.“ Gregor piped from the front of the bus. „Where we´re off to, Vergilius?“

I didn´t quite make out whose canto it could´ve been, yet. I supposed it wasn´t unlikely that I have joined the group just before their first official assignment. The possibility made me uneasy, as the mental image of Hermann formed in my brain. Then again, maybe there was a way to save Yuri if that was the case. Maybe, I could help everyone take the golden bough and bolt out of the L corp branch before Hermann even showed up.

My hopes were crushed under a heavy boot the very next moment.

„This time… we´re headed to K Corp´s Nest.“ Vergilius spoke, making it known that the second worst possibility was the reality I found myself in. I had barely any time to mentally digest the information before Heathcliff butted into the conversation.

„District 11, eh? Job´s taking me to all sorts of places I´d never have thought to visit.“ His chipper attitude juxtaposed against what was coming was… definitely something.

„´Tis home to another great individual! And you are certain to find a souvenir shop there! I´ve always yearned for a limited-edition figure set!“ Don excitedly wiggled in her seat.

The conversation then turned to food of all things. I turned my gaze out of the bus window instead of joining in, pretending to observe the run-down architecture in the orange-tinted light of a fading sun.

I definitely didn´t want to look at Sinclair, who was already trembling and breathing erratically. There was nothing I could do about his situation. In all likelihood, his hometown was already massacred and the stage set for his arrival. In my thoughts, I´ve almost forgotten that I wasn´t just a mere observer anymore.

„Alighiero, I´ve noticed a certain trend. Whenever our next destination is revealed, one of us has a visceral reaction to it. You also mentioned having some knowledge about the individual Sinners. It would probably be the best if you-“

„No.“ I flatly replied, not looking away from the window. Instead of the world beyond the glass, I stared at my reflection. I looked terrible. „Not yet. Please, Dante, let me first figure out how to walk in this world before you ask me to sprint.“

„Alright.“

Faust had just reappeared from the back of the bus. I didn´t know how she managed it, but she was holding a folded up uniform. It quickly dawned on me that my artistically ripped blue denim jeans and a short sleeved t-shirt with an image of a shrimp and text „It´s Shrimple“ probably wasn´t up to dress-code within the Company.

„Mephistopheles and its passengers will soon undergo an immigration process. Since you are now part of the company it is for the best you also look the part.“

„I figured that might be the case.“

Another thing nobody told me was that tying a tie is a 500 step process at the end of which you don´t have anything that even remotely resembles a proper tie. My only solace in that moment was that there was no one to see me struggle because I was in Dante´s room, as advised by Faust. With a sigh I dropped left the tie out altogether, depending on the coat to do all the heavy lifting when it came down to appearing professional. The most cringe-worthy of course was the ID card. Apparently, Faust was in charge of picking a photo for it.

From my phone.

There were only a handful of selfies and each was more embarrassing than the other. I didn´t want to even THINK about what she must´ve seen in the camera roll. I wasn´t entirely sure myself what kinds of things were on there.

As I folded up my old clothes, I felt something bumpy in the pocket and reached in. To anyone else a small river rock and handful of caramel candies would appear as barely anything, but to me, they were treasures of untold value. I stashed both into my coat pockets which I was happy to find were more spacious than the jeans pockets were.

Catching my reflection in the glass of a picture-frame once again, I could however not deny that I looked much cooler, tie or no tie. Smiling at myself, I thought, no, I believed that maybe I did have a hold on things. After all, I knew what was coming. I could plan ahead, which not even Faust was able to do.

There, I noticed it. Bright light, reflecting off of a glassy surface of an object that sat on Dante´s desk.

My. Fucking. Phone.

At first I reached for it, almost making a vow to not let it out of my sight ever again… but then, I realized another thing. The border check was likely to cover any sort of equipment, not just weapons in the traditional sense. For that reason, back of the bus was probably a much more secure place for it. I sighed, drawing my hand away from it.

„I´ll come back for you.“ I whispered to the device like it was my very own Han Solo in Carbonite. With that done, I walked out of the room. As expected, there was a puddle of vomit on the floor. I decided not to bring it up.

„You are not wearing the tie.“ Faust immediately commented after assessing my appearance.

„I wrestled it for good ten minutes and now it is wrinkled. Even if you tied it properly it would just look ridiculous at this point.“

„Don´t worry ´bout that, sweetie, neither me nor Ryoshu bother with those. And Fau, you don´t even wear a dress shirt, let alone the tie, so who are you to comment on what they are wearing, hmm?“

I suppose I didn´t expect the second or third tallest person on the bus to jump to my defense like that. Obvious that was the only reason for a silly little feeling that definitely, positively was not anything even comparable to a crush. Comradery, yes, it was definitely just comradery. I would not engage in hijinks of a romantic nature and I absolutely wasn´t about to swoon over someone just because they showed me the tiniest shred of kindness. What was I some fan-fiction protagonist?

I turned my head towards Ishmael who was discussing something with others. „A company as big as ours should get a free pass. Not to mention, breaking through using the method dear Ryoshu suggested will take ages. How badly must you underestimate a Nest actively governed by a Wing to say that?“

„Oh, I see, no one´s gonna take into account how much I´ll suffer for that CIDER, huh?“ Dante complained. I nudged their arm.

„You and me both. There´s also that option.“

Dante seemed to be taken aback as if they were flustered over not considering that angle up until the very moment. „Uhhh, yeah. That´s not good.“

„This is this, and that is that. Things could and will get much worse.“

Of course I wasn´t going to tell Dante that things would get worse very soon. Especially when absolutely no one was paying any attention to me OR Dante figuring out a pretty crucial point.

„Limbus Company has backing from shareholders of a wide array of fields.“ Vergilius spoke to the Sinners with the authority of a tired teacher who was explaining a group of five-year-olds to not pick their noses when he´s not looking.

„Oh, do you happen to know the shareholder of H Corp, then? They once personally visited our home because my younger sibling insisted upon having a red passport as a kid.“ Hong Lu butted in, just like one of the aforementioned hypothetical five-year-olds. At least he wasn´t picking his nose.

„No. I am but a humble Guide. I wouldn´t be in position to know such a thing. Besides, the question doesn´t otherwise seem like one that´s worth answering.“

„How harsh.“ Hong Lu hung his head, though he looked to be far from even remotely embarrassed.

„That leaves the route to the checkpoint as our concern. Thorough inspection at the border means that there is no shortage of people looking for an easy way in, including those who´d take the pass by force.“

„I can hear several interlopers surrounding the bus.“ Meursault interjected. Moment later there indeed was rapping against the bus door.

„Welp… off the bus we go I guess.“ Dante shrugged. „Not you, Alighiero, though.“

„Lucky me.“ I shrugged. As the Sinners stepped out I walked up to the window to watch the altercation from the safety of Mephistopheles.

„What are you doing?“ Vergilius asked. I couldn´t exactly give him a proper answer without any of the Sinners present, but I gave it a good old-fashioned student try.

„I have a hypothesis and I´d like to see if I´m accidentally right.“

I brushed away condensed water from the edge of one of the windows to get a clear view. As expected, the opponents were just Rats of the Backstreets. I didn´t fault them for being so pathetic, but there was a stark difference between desperate and pathetic and those who were so desperate they willingly walked to their death. This fight was no different, except I noticed what I´ve missed in the previous altercation due to being laser focused on holding my bleeding arm – the Rats had health bars and sanity gauges, just like in the game. I couldn´t make out anything further, but even that much was more than enough to put me on edge.

Just how much could I see if it was me commanding the Sinners?

My train of thought stopped dead in tracks as a disembodied head of a Rat slammed into the window and slid down, leaving a particularly nasty smudge of blood. Through the bloodied glass I locked eyes with Ryoshu. Standing there, covered in blood from head to toe, she looked like a proper demon. Wordlessly, I gave her a thumbs up.

„Remind me to never piss Ryoshu off. Just in case I forgot somewhere down the line.“

„Hmm.“ Vergilius nodded. I could only imagine what he must´ve thought I´ve said. I moved away from the dirty window. I was relieved to see that none of the Sinners were injured, just slightly covered in blood. Aside from Ryoshu, who looked like she just returned from a much more vicious version of La Tomatina.

Though most people met my little venture with complete ignorance, Faust´s piercing gaze let me know that she knew. Whether she knew that I knew was however still up for the debate.

The rest of the ride luckily went without any more delays. Charon was parking mumbling something to herself that I couldn´t quite make out because Don took my experimental observation of the group´s combat as typical biggest fan behavior – which naturally meant that I wanted to hear her rant about the individual strikes she made. If it wasn´t for Faust´s scrutinous gaze earlier, I might´ve actually listened to her.

„All right, off the bus. Time to get inspected.“ Vergilius commanded some fifteen minutes later. „Ah, and let me add this just in case some of you are feeling particularly inclined towards your usual antics: don´t go around causing a scene expecting things to go your way… because that will not be how things work in this particular place.“

From there we moved in almost a neat line, one after the other. The K Corp´s checkpoint was spacious and white, with all the architectural soundness of an airport and the inviting nature of a prison with the number of heavily armed guards. Though I knew why a Nest would have need to guard their territory so harshly, I could no shak off the feeling of unease. The same feeling appeared to be shared among the Sinners, too, with Dante being the owner of the ultimate poker face.

Sinclair was quietly sniffling behind me. I didn´t dare turn around to help Gregor and Rodya calm him down. Knowing what I knew, it would be a hollow and, in the end, useless action.

„How nice it is to see you so orderly standing in line and behave. Like a brood of chicks on an outing.“

„Ducklings.“ I muttered, mildly annoyed to be referred to as any sort of bird. When it came to Project Moon, anything that had wings or feathers was bound to be a problem. Me? I was so far from even distantly resembling a problem. I didn´t get in the way, I even put an effort to not disturb the existing timeline, which happened to be working quite nicely so far.

„Wait.. Why´re you...here?“ Ishmael stammered, evidently shocked that Vergilius stepped out of the bus.

„What made you follow us off the bus this time?“ Dante asked, adding to what would otherwise be pretty suspenseful event.

„Because this is a Nest, Dante.“ Vergilius relied matter-o-factly. „If someone were to cause trouble here, the responsibility would be bit too much for you to bear alone.“

The fact that Vergilius seemed genuinely crestfallen made me buy into the theory that he was missing his equivalent of iPad time. He did look like someone who could easily spend hours playing connect-3 type games on literally any kind of device, including a thermostat if conditions were so dire.

„The line´s moving quickly. It´ll be our turn in 10 minutes at most.“ Ishmael rambled in front of me. „Will all of us need to answer the immigration questions? They won´t be able to understand Dante or Alighiero, so what should we do about that?“

Maybe I´ve overstated my own unease. Compared to Ishmael I could´ve been mistaken for a monk under a vow of unconditional peace and calm or something.

„I was just about to get to that.“ Vergilius replied. „Listen up. The K Corp. Official will only ask very simple questions and your answers will too be concise. When asked about the nature of your stay, you will say: I´m here for business on behalf of Limbus Company, please refer to my work visa. Remember this exact phrasing, word for word. I´ll take care of the rest. All you need to prove is that you didn´t come here to cause trouble.“

Faust stepped in as well. „If memorization poses an issue for you, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and present your employee card instead.“

The information I was thankful for, but for someone as smart as Faust it was embarrassing that she seemingly ignored the fact than me and Dante had no choice but to shut up and present our employee cards. Still, it was the thought that counted.

„Keep calm and don´t cause trouble. The easiest tasks in the world.“ Dante ticked with sarcasm so potent I was positive even Vergilius could understand what they said.

Contrary to Dante´s worries, the check went by quite smoothly. One after the other, the Sinners, myself and Dante all passed without issues.

Then there was Don Quixote, whose singular functioning braincell took the leave the moment she was speaking to the K Corp official. Before I could open my mouth to alert Dante, I caught a glimpse of the scene myself.

„I have come here to liberate the weak and powerless!“ she proudly proclaimed.

Not far from her was a little child, reaching towards their parent in vain as the adult was being dragged away for an unknown offense. To say that it struck a familiar cord with me would be an understatement. I could never forget the pair of small hands sinking into watery depths as I could do nothing but watch.

I could feel my muscles tensing in the moment, as if my limbs were waiting for me to bolt to where Don stood and fist fight the fully decked-out military officer with an ability to insta-heal. If I was any less of a coward or if Don Quixote resigned herself to the cruelty of the system, there was no telling whether I would stop myself from doing just that.

„Release them at once. Can´t you see they are suffering?“ Don Quixote stubbornly continued in her crusade. „If you are unwilling to take action, then I shall do so myself.“

Almost immediately the official raised an alarm and bathed the area in a bright purple light as Don´t comically large lance made proportionally large hole in the barrier that separated the Backstreets immigration line from the one we were in. More armed forced poured in to neutralize the threat. By that point Don was already lying face down on the ground, taken out by a few sniper shots.

Things were indeed going about as smoothly as I remembered.

One thing I din´t actually expect was Vergilius pulling me back next to him. I turned to him in confusion, but he just shrugged.

„As a temporary hire, you legally bear no responsibility for this. That is all.“

Maybe he figure that the harm transference could apply to psychological harm of revivals as well. Maybe the laws really were that convoluted in the City. Or maybe he just wanted to be nice for once.

I doubted it was the last thing. I wasn´t Charon.

Though the K Corp. Security guards weren´t particularly strong, their healing abilities were surely annoying. Especially for Ryoshu who was getting pretty fed up with her opponents not bleeding for long enough after being slashed through. Even then, Dante and the Sinners seemed to manage. Of course, that was when Thor-lite decided to show up.

„MWAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!! In the height of chaos, I have arrived at last!!“

„Ah, there you are. K Corp´s superstar.“ Vergilius deadpanned in the most disinterested voice I´ve ever heard from him. Which wasn´t saying that much, but it sure was something to take into account.

„Greetings one and all! You are free to share stories of the heroic feats you are to witness here, but photographs and more will require permission from K corp!“ He was speaking into some sort of a recording device. I would probably be surprised by it if I didn´t see countless streamers and Youtubers doing the exact same thing. Well, maybe not exact. Last time I checked, murder was not allowed back home and it was likely to stay that way until the heat death of the universe – or until some maniac came along and decided that the Purge was a great idea to execute in real life.

All the same, I wanted to punch that spandex-clad mountain of audacity so, SO bad. It even seemed that Vergilius shared the same mindset, but neither of us could do anything without digging ourselves even deeper into trouble.

„Alas, I must attend magazine interview in half an hour, so I cannot overlinger. I pray you to understand.“

„Was wondering when you´d come.“ Vergilius sighed. „I heard you became a wagie serving a Wing, Siegfried.“

„Ahaha! Your tongue is as sharp as ever, dear fellow. And what is this little thing by your side? Have you assumed the role of a mentor while I wasn´t looking?“ He was looking at me and I was looking at him, trying my best not to glare.

„Don´t be ridiculous.“ Vergilius rolled his eyes. „They are a mere outside hire.“

„Ah, your friends over there must be the perpetrators of code purple, methinks.“

„Not exactly friends. I hope you understand that the two of us have nothing to do with this commotion.“

„In that case…“ Siegfried cracked his knuckles in preparation. His massive gloves crackled with electricity.

„Yup, I´m counting on you to give them a spicy lesson.“

I suddenly felt a splitting headache come over me. It only lasted for a brief moment, but that didn´t prevent it from being particularly potent. However, little migraine was nothing compared to what followed.

„OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!“ Don Quixote´s scream could probably be heard outside of the building. As soon as she sprang to life and saw Siegfried, she assumed her full blown fangirl form.

„Don Quixote, what´s wrong?“ Dante asked, looking a little lost.

„TH- tha- tHe- th-tHA,… HE! THAT, THAT, THE MAN HIMSELF!!!!!!!!! She was pointing at Siegfried, absolutely buzzing with energy. Especially for someone who was dead just moments ago. Vergilius sighed at the view and whispered to Siegfried one last time.

„We´re in a hurry, so get this done in a minute if possible. And keep that clockhead out of this.“

„Hmm, a prosthetic, is it? Right then, make it 50 seconds!!!“ Siegfried grinned and quite literally threw himself into the fray.

One by one the Sinners fell down like bowling pins. The combat was so fast I could barely see Siegfried move around. Few lightning flashes later, everyone except for Dante was fried to crisp. I did not look forward to experiencing all that. Not in the slightest.

As Dante made their way towards us on the sidelines, Vergilius decided to speak again.

„About time they learned what happens if they kick up a ruckus in Nest, thinking they can get away with it.“ He was smiling. That shit-eating, grey-faced asshole was smiling as he looked upon the carnage before him. It was in that moment that I decided that I would never ever make his life any easier. No, I would pull as much bullshit as was humanly possible without dying and he would rue the day he made me his own personal hater.

„Dante, you may not remember it at the moment, but you, too used to be something of a bigwig… so to speak.“

„I-I was?“ Dante asked in disbelief, turning to me. I only shrugged and shook my head.

„I don´t know the specifics either.“

„However, your memory doesn´t wholly excuse your shortcomings as their manager. I´m sure you know what I mean.“

Long silence fell as Dante was lost in thought. „Taking back my head might not be for the best after all, Vergilius.“

„Ah, dear… I´ve got to tell them to put a microphone next time.“ Vergilius rubbed his forehead, probably trying his best to understand – and failing miserably. „I´ll take it you´ve gotten my point.“

„I wouldn´t worry about it too much, Dante. It´ll be a long time before you see your head again, and when you do, you won´t be the same person you are now anyway.“

„What´s that supposed to mean?“

„I don´t know myself. The source material is… kind of abstract.“ I really didn´t want to launch a discussion of the Divine Comedy. Especially not when Dante has barely even gotten into the loop of being stuck in Inferno. Another thing entirely was their identity, so carefully guarded by those who were in the know that theories ranged from plausible to completely unhinged.

In the uncertainty there was always the possibility that Dante was the Bus itself, Mephistopheles. Demon Manager from Hell definitely had a cool ring to it.

„Hurrah! 46.5 seconds! Another day, another heroic tale of justice written!!“

The alarm turned off as the corpses and blood littered the floor.

„Ah, it looks like the curtains have closed. Time to rewind, Dante.“ Vergilius commented. I, of course remained unacknowledged until I was leaning against the wall as the combined pain of 12 rewinds coursed through my body. The pain was of course gone as soon as the last of the Sinners raised to their feet, fully unharmed once more.

To say that I was perturbed about the lack of care among them would be an understatement.

„I´m sorry you had to go through… all that.“ Dante apologized. I couldn´t find any particularly nice words that wouldn´t turn into very loud swearing as soon as I opened my mouth, so I just nodded. I was too busy watching Vergilius slowly stewing next to Siegfried who was busy asking him all sorts of uncomfortable questions. Like, why he hasn´t showed up in the Avengers Annual Analysis of Actions Against Antagonists, also known as A.A.A.A.A.A. Which was coincidently the sound Vergilius was internally making.

„I don´t know what happened between these two but…. Vergilius is being a bit hostile here, right?“

„That´s an understatement. Looks like a corporate way of saying: I hate your guts and the only reason why I am not ripping them out of you right now is because mom is watching and would put me in time-out if I did anything like that.“

I reveled in how shocked by my explanation everyone was. Well, everyone aside from Ryoshu who found it slightly amusing.

„That is…“

„Not entirely inaccurate.“ Faust interjected. „Mr. Siegfried here could be described as a pro-Wing Fixer based on views he´s expressed. On the other hand, our guide Vergilius sought independence as a Fixer. He believed that a Fixer loses sight of their core principles the moment they become subordinate to an influential entity.“ Her explanation was clean and concise. At last, her pale blue eyes bore into me. „He is someone who is strict to those with power, after all.“

Against the obvious warning coming from Faust was placed the situation, once again involving none other than Don Quixote, who walked up to Siegfried, shaking with excitement.

„A fe-fa-fh-feh-af-afa-A FAN I am! I have collected figurines sculpted after you! Though I´ve yet to get my hands on limited editions…. I´ve set my heart on becoming a magnificent Fixer such as you!“

„AHA! An aspiring Fixer! I have little time to spare, but more than enough for an autograph!“

„I-Is that true? Then would you sign… an autograph… here… Ehehe.“

„Slow breaths, Don Quixote.“ Gregor muttered to her as she began hyperventilating, not so differently from Sinclair earlier, though the general vibe was completely turned on its head.

„Huzzah, that´s a job done well! Now then, until next we meet!! Hahahaha!!“ Siegfried leaped up with force I could only compare to a reverse Superhero landing. It was as annoyingly over-the-top as one could imagine.

In the end, the travel permit was acquired and Vergilius returned to the bus, as grumpy as ever.

„Ufu...wuhuhu...hehehaah.“ Don Quixote was as happy as could be, completely oblivious to the weight of the situation she triggered. I could only smile at her antics as she caressed some random sheet of paper with Siegfried´s autograph on it.

„I must be caught in a dream! Manager Esquire! Will you pinch my cheek just once?“

Dante was about to make a remark regarding that idea, but stopped as soon as we left the checkpoint. An armored van stopped before us. Of course, I was totally unphased by it.

„A newfound foe? Bold of them to challenge us here, right in front of a Nest´s checkpoint.“ Outis stepped in front of Dante, weapon at ready.

„This vehicle is from… LCC, the clearance department.“ Faust said just as quickly. As if on cue, the door of the van opened just as she finished her explanation.

„Ah, Jeez, what took you so long? We had to cycle three laps waiting for it to be over.“

Until the moment I saw Effie and Saude in flesh, it didn´t even cross my mind that they would be very much caught in the mess that was Nagel und Hammer. I was suddenly very uncomfortable with the idea of Effie dying.

„Oh, people from the Before Team, eh? Something about you looks different, I´ve gotta say.“ Gregor looked at them, trying to figure out what that something was. As if there was anything different besides their clothes.

„That was a disguise we had in order to infiltrate the casino. It was ultimately useless, though.“

„Still got that sharp tongue, huh?“ Gregor rolled his eyes as Dante… seemed quite shook up. I pitied them. They didn´t even do so much fumbling. Why were they even picked as the person to play the damn poker? They could´ve been the one crushed under a large metal cube. I supposed that the Before Team lacked intel on that, but it would be pretty crucial intel to know in any case.

„Pft…. Saude, you see that hand on the clock trembling? You´ll make them cry.“

„I was just being playful. In truth, I´ve come to the conclusion that even though all its oddities, LCB department has its own character.“

„Exactly. Wouldn´t have guessed you guys would drag another soul to your team, for example.“

I smiled uncomfortably as I was singled out by Effie. Besides the Sinners, nobody could understand me, so there wasn´t really any way for me to conveniently let them know just what kind of mess they were walking into. Not without letting everyone in on it and thus making myself permanently stuck on the bus and unable to do literally anything productive when I was sure that I could.

I needed to first and foremost prove that I was worth the effort to keep alive for who I was, not only because I was Dante´s walking Achiilles´ heel on top of their own general vulnerabilities.

„There was a set of unforeseeable circumstances. Anyway, weren´t the Before Team supposed to be on-site at this hour?“

„The others should be there already. We decided to wait for you because we had useful intel to share.“

„Well then, let´s hear it.“ I said, trying to push the conversation along in my own way. Effie blinked at me like I was speaking in tongues. Which I probably was, at least from his point of view.

„Whoa, what dialect is that? I don´t think I´ve heard anything like it.“

„Sufficiently explaining that part would take too long, so Faust will simply communicate in their stead: They, as much as Faust, would like to know the contents of this intelligence.“

Effie shrugged. „It´s about the target location. Another faction has occupied the place already. As a result, we´re putting in much more manpower than usual.“

„Yet another swarm of gadflies attracted by opportunity.“ Outis nodded knowingly. Little did she know that this swarm of gadflies would be particularly annyoing to deal with. But of course I wasn´t revealing that unless it was in the privacy of Mephistopheles without any possible ears snooping on us.

„Unfortunately, our opponents this time won´t be some crummy no-names like before. We took a peek at the immigration records and found out that N Corp. Dispatched a legion of employees a few weeks ago. Same destination as ours, too.“ Effie furrowed his brows as Saude overtook the explanation.

„Though this wasn´t an officialy disclosed activity, seeing that K Corp. Has let them pass means they might have made a deal under the table.“

„Which, if it´s true that N Corp. Has sent staff in advance, then the journey won´t be a smooth one.“

As if a journey to claiming a golden bough was ever a smooth one... Minute by minute I was more and more certain that the timeline was going to play out in the very same way as the one I was familiar with from the game. It bode well for me and helping Dante and the Sinners out with their troubles. The question of whether I could make impactful changes to the lives of those who were destined to die in that world, however remained.

It was a daring decision to start revealing any of my more safely guarded information. A gamble, with my freedom and agency at stake. Then again, how much of those was still in my hands?

„Judging from the fact that N Corp. hasn´t made this motion officially known, it could end as a simple conflict of interest.“ Faust thought out loud. „Furthermore, we can´t discount the possibility that it´s not the Golden Bough they are after.“ She looked towards me. I didn´t return her gaze that time. I could only hope that she understood that I would reveal critical information, just not out in the open where anyone could hear.

„Oh right, I heard some morons caused a scene at K Corp. checkpoint. Did you guys see who they were?“

I wanted to laugh for solid two minutes. I settled on biting my lip so I wouldn´t say anything. Even though they couldn´t understand me, interpretation was probably not something new to them.

„R-rumor travels with such haste. ´Twas as though…. Astride Rocinante.“ She hung her head, but I could see the faintest of smiles tugging on her lips even then. I was kind of disappointed that her embarrassment wasn´t as genuine as it initially seemed.

„A shame I missed it.“ Saude sighed. „That´s not the kind of spectacle you see every day. Really, who in their right mind would mes with a Wing at a border checkpoint unless they had lives to spare...“

Everyone was quietly playing the oblivious card, making it magnitudes more obvious what had happened. Even myself was not exempt from the equation however. Watching Saude come to the realization was funny.

„...please, don´t tell me….“ Saude facepalmed. It was worth every third second of the pain.

„Come on, we don´t have much time.“ Ishmael piped in. I agreed with her wholeheartedly. Though there wasn´t much to do about the speed of Mephistopheles, there was still the mountain of crazy cultists.

„Ah. Mr. Vergilius is nowhere to be seen again.“ Effie commented with annoyance.

„Oh him? He went back to the bus first.“ Gregor pointed in the vague direction of th location where Mephistopheles was parked.

„What a pity, I didn´t want to miss my chance to say hello…“ Saude added.

„We´ll leave impression on him next time, mark my words. I´m planning to ask him if we can join the team in your stead.“ Effie laughed.

„What? That´s what you wanted to ask him?“ Dante said, offended.

I snorted. Yeah. As if. I was already big enough of a liability. Then again, I suppose Saue and Effie had some combat capabilities so they wouldn´t be totally useless. Not that it was my place to decide.

„That wasn´t entirely a joke. See you at the site, then.“ Saude said at last, before shutting the door.

„If you can get there in one piece, anyway.“ One last jab came as courtesy of Effie´s head peeking out from the window as the van drove off.

After that, there was one final boss to face before we could drive to the target location.

Vergilius.

It was already a long, bizarre day and I was getting really fed-up with all the bullshit I´ve had to endure. If there was time for a controlled burn to take case of all the anger welling up inside me, it was when we got back on the bus.

Charon was pouting because we made her wait and Vergilius forgot to buy her candy. While he was busy being angry, I covertly slipped Charon a single caramel. It wasn´t much, but her eyes lit up with excitement. I winked at her just before melting back into the stream of people. Vergilius looked at me briefly, but didn´t say or do anything that would betray that he knew what I´ve done.

Score!

The Sinners have since moved to their respective seats, leaving but one empty – Don Quixote´s. She was currently anxiously standing in front of Vergilius who´s eyes burned with crimson flames.

„Let´s hear your excuse, Don Quixote.“

„I… could not turn a blind eye to the weak being-“

Before Don Quixote coul finish her sentence I leapt in front of her, knowing that Vergilius would take not second more after she finished her sentence. My calculations were only slightly off.

Vergilius´ hands were full with my coat and he was ready to throw me on the ground, just as he would with Don Quixote. It was obvious from his expression that it wasn´t the motion that surprised him but rather the context of the action. I used that brief confusion to present my point.

„Stop wasting time. We´re already running late.“ I glared right into his eyes, burning with anger.

„Have you gone totally mad, Alighiero?“ Heathcliff yelled, voicing the collective thoughts off the whole bus.

„I am perfectly sane, but it´s nice to know you worry, Heathcliff.“

„Running late, hmmm…“ Vergilius guessed. Happy with his answer, I nodded.

We seemed to have arrive at some sort of a mutual understanding because Charon unwrapped her caramel and was happily humming with the sweet in her mouth as she revved up the engine. It was pointless to pretend I wasn´t the source of the sweets.

With a grumpy, though not as angry hum, Vergilius returned to his seat without beating Don Quixote´s lights out from her head.

She opened her mouth, possibly to thank me. I tried to stop her, but it was then that both of us were knocked off our feet by Charon´s driving.

„Don, don´t give me your apologies. Mend your behavior.“

„But-“

„I know you´re capable of doing so. I am putting my faith in you to not disappoint me.“

Don Quixote nodded at me, visibly shaken, though it was up for debate whether that was just courtesy of Charon´s driving or her own reaction.
She then helped me back on my feet as we carefully made our way to the single vacant seat.

„I deserve the seat not, dear Alighieri. Please, accept this as my humble apolo-“

„No.“ I deadpanned. „You will sit in your spot.“ I grabbed hold of the steel pipe jutting from the floor and stretching towards the ceiling of the bus. I would not admit that I refused the seat only because it was next to Sinclair.

If the entire population of the bus saw me as crazy, it was for the best. Something told me trying to retain my sanity, too, was an exercise in futility.

Chapter Text

With Vergilius more-or-less secured and the bus a-moving, I felt pretty good about my contributions so far. Wasting less time was only half of my plan, though. Possibly one third, but there was not telling how far I would make it before getting walled by Faust. Or Vergilius looking to make things difficult for me out of spite. Or a particularly ambitious squirrel who decided to join N Corp.

As far as I was concerned, anything was possible.

„Attention all.“ Vergilius stood up to address everyone. „Our destination is the town of Calw, situated in Nest K. Investigation revealed that a passage connected to a Lobotomy Corp, branch exists somewhere in that village.“

Sinclair immediately began shaking at the mention of his hometown. Though I pitied his position, there were more important things to consider in Calw than Sinclair´s mental state. Besides, it was Dante´s job as his manager to do that.

My little stand-off with Vergilius already bought us few precious minutes and Charon was more than happy enough to push the speed limit, at least judging by the civilians throwing middlefingers towards Mephistopheles as we cruised through the urban part of the Nest.

There remained only one thing to deal with. Dante was still pretty new to the whole Manager business and even with weeks or months of experience, they had yet to face the likes of Mr. PinkiePie, Terrible Trio, Slightly-more-pissed-off Heathcliff or the Mosquito gang. Me? Let´s just say that I wasn´t going to pass up the opportunity to show off what 500+ hours of gaming experience looked like.

Vergilius continued. „But, as you have told me, a third party has occupied the area surrounding that branch facility. That´s why I requested an additional recon operation from Clearance.“

Faust looked at me with that same analyzing gaze as she spoke. „Preliminary Observation Unit 3 from the Before Team has been dispatched. Mr. Effie and Ms. Saude should be with them shortly. Given our… accelerated movement, Faust has concluded that we should arrive at very similar time unless we experience serious unforeseen delays.“ I figured she was trying to understand what kind of play I was hiding.

„We´re to receive a report from them once they get a good grasp on the situation.“

It was about time I´ve showed my cards. I couldn´t exactly advise Dante without clearing few things up.

„Dante, remember what I told you back at the border check?“

„The thing about…. Walking and running in this world?“ I nodded at Dante´s question. „I have been wondering what you meant by that.“

„I´ve not been completely honest with you when I told you how I knew everyone.“ I said, very much aware that my reply would only serve to spark fire among the Sinners. As expected, Outis was first to jump to conclusions.

„I knew it! You were a mole all along.“ She pointed at me as I sighed, rolling my eyes at her.

„We really don´t have time for this, so I´ll be very brief.“ I said, completely ignoring the sharp blade-gun pointed at my face. „As Faust likely already knows because she´s been digging through my phone…“ I looked at Faust who simply nodded, letting me speak. „...part of my knowledge of this world is sourced from a turn-based combat game which is built on the same principles as combat you carry out when Dante commands you.“

„Oh sod off, like we´re supposed to believe that shite.“ Heathcliff grumbled. I met his reaction with the same level of disinterest as I showed towards Outis.

„In other words, I know your opponents´ weaknesses and how to best deal with them. Ignoring that obvious advantage will make your progress towards the Golden Bough slower and in turn cause Dante to endure more suffering than necessary. Also, remember that Saude´s and Effie´s lives are at stake.“ I stared at Outis in defiance. „The question is, just how much are you willing to gamble?“

„Dante-“

„Show me.“ Dante took my hand, tugging me towards their office. „Show me how to beat them.“

Taking a very quick glance through the identities in Dante´s stock, I´ve recognized most, but there still was a number of identities that were totally new to me. I sorted the cards quickly, knowing that there was little time before the next fight. Specifically, I looked for two identities for Sinclair that I was certain would be very useful in the upcoming altercation: his Cinq Fixer identity, which was overall good clasher with a strong evasive maneuver and the N Corp identity which would give Dante a step ahead in facing Kromer at the cost of being slightly more difficult to manage.

Luckily, the identities I ended up putting into the team were a reasonably leveled set, ensuring that even if the ones on the bench were required to partake in combat, Dante wouln´t be totally screwed. More importantly, it was a blunt-based team of heavy hitters that was sure to deal with the armored Inquisitors quickly. I could only hope that it was enough to get to Effie before he was turned into a human skewer.

„This is the best play I know for this passage. Either of these identities will work for Sinclair, but… he might have some thoughts on using One Who Shall Grip. You… you´ll see why later.“

Hurriedly, we returned to the bus proper. Outis was still glaring a bunch, and so were most of the others, but Dante´s decision made everyone mellow out just a little.

„Okay, so-“

Slam.

A comically large nail flew into the bus, passing the front glass, wedging itself where Heathcliff´s head was just a moment ago as he stretched his neck to take a look at the identities were slotted in.

„Verg, Mephi got hurt. Charon´s sad.“ Charon said in a low voice.

„Doesn´t look like they´ll stop anytime soon. Off the bus, all.“

„Looks like you´ll have an opportunity to try out the team for yourself right away.“ I patted Dante´s shoulder. „Don´t bother with negotiations. They won´t listen to you.“

„This is… a very strange team.“ I heard Ishmael comment as the Sinners assumed their identities one after another before walking out.

„That´s because it´s damage output first, synergy second.“ I shrugged. „Huh, just like pineapple pizza.“ I mumbled to myself as the bus door shut behind the last of the Sinners.

„Pine-apple pine-apple, pine-apple peee-tza.“ Charon hummed along with the clashing going on outside. Vergilius looked up for a moment, probably to say something, but quickly decided against it when he saw how quickly the Inquisitors began falling. Soon there was no one left standing.

„That was quick. I assumed that these people would pose… a more challenging task.“

„I worked with what I was given.“ I shrugged, because it was true. Anyone with relevant information at hand would do similarly well in my position. The bus door closed an Charon drove on once more.

„Those people, they labeled us as heretics. Just what is their judgement based on?“ Ishmael asked no one in particular.

„I think… they were targeting me.“ Dante pondered, glancing my way for a confirmation. I nodded as Meursault began explaining.

„Nagel und Hammer… a Wing that values experience above all else.“

„Experience?“

„Humans are made to have experiences and actions appropriate for their worth. That is what they say of it.“ He finished in an even tone which I came to accept as his only kind of tone. Not that he was any different in the game, but… there was a slightly different quality to his voice that I couldn´t quite place.

„They told us to offer up a severed head of our manager.“ Outis growled angrily. I was glad her anger was no longer aimed solely at my person. „That means-“ Before Outis could finish her thought, Sinclair´s mental barrier snapped, unleashing a waterfall of words as he trembled.

„...They´re back. They didn´t forget. Coming back like that, to-“

Just as I went to say something, Charon suddenly stopped the bus.

„Verg-verg, the sound-box is being noisy.“

From scorching pan into a pot of boiling oil we went. Not a moment to regroup.

„...Looks like the advance team has words for us.“

„Gimme that.“ Gregor grabbed the walkie-talkie speaker in hand.

„Effie, this is bus, how are things out there?“

„You shall bear here your every sin and be purified.“ A distorted voice came from the other side.

„Effie?“ He asked. Of course, I knew that it wasn´t Effie.

„Whis-tles.“ Sinclair shook violently, his trembling hands barely holding his halberd.

Unlike Sinclair, I didn´t need to hear the haunting whistles to know what we were walking into.

„Sinclair, what are you talking about?“ Rodion asked carefully, though, all of it fell on deaf ears, as Sinclair was positively losing it.

„Alighiero, you heard the whistles! There, at the end… faintly?“ Sinclair shook, looking at me. I could´ve lied to him, tell him that it would all be okay, or say any of million other things just to calm him down.

Instead, I confirmed his greatest fear with a simple nod.

„Were there really?“ Gregor asked, still on the fence about it. There was no calming Sinclair down, however, even though he and Rodya put in some effort to do that.

„It´s her! That wretch is there! After all this time… to destroy the rest of our town.“

„Calm down, Sinclair.“ Dante said in a fruitless effort to reign in raging Sinclair. „What whistles? And who is this „wretched“ woman?“

„She´s waiting for me. That was a message calling for me!“ Sinclair screamed as tears streamed from his eyes, a mix of burning anger, anxiety and grief.

„There. More of those Inquisitors up ahead.“ Ishmael pointed through broken windshield of Mephistopheles.

„We should go back…“

„Sinclair-“ I began, but I didn´t get very far before Sinclair started another rant.

„Can´t we… just head back? I don´t wanna go – let´s just turn around. Just tip the steering wheel and-“

Smack.

My hand flew across Sinclair´s face, leaving a red mark behind. He looked at me with terrified eyes.

„Turn around, sure. And what about Effie and Saude?“ I crossed my arms angrily.

That did it. He was still crying, but no more protests left his mouth.

„Y-you´re right. I can´t keep dragging others down.“ Sinclair sniffled, wiping his face and gripping the halberd with renewed vigor, even if it seemed half-hearted compared to his resolve before.

The second round of fighting went about as easily as the first one. Surprisingly, no casualties and only minimal injuries occurred. That pleased me greatly, even though I knew the worst was yet to come.

„Alighiero…“ Dante spoke to me through the broken glass. „I want you to come with us. I know you´ve set me up with a solid team and all that, but…“

„I understand.“ I sighed, exiting the bus myself. „Let´s hurry. I don´t want to linger there any longer than necessary. The smoke smells... real bad.“ I said, scrunching my nose at the putrid scent of burning organic and inorganic materials. I was quietly glad that I had no food in my stomach, otherwise the content would´ve made an immediate exit.

The smoke weaved around the buildings, rising from numerous pyres. The walls were decorated with perverted version of wreaths made of guts, crudely nailed to the surfaces. The theme of body parts, prosthetics and intestines strewn around the place continued throughout the entire town. Grotesque as it was to see in person, I was still much more bothered by the smell. The other Sinners must´ve gotten used to smelling all kinds of horrible things, because nobody even mentioned it.

The upsetting atmosphere was made even more dire as music began to play from somewhere. Silent Night, a song so intimately connected to messages of familial love, twisted until it lost all former meaning.

„You hear that, too, right?“ Ishmael asked. „Some sort of a familiar song.“

„Oh yeah, I used to hear this all the time on snowy days.“ Heathcliff pitched in, all too pleased with himself.

„They played it a bunch during wartime to raise our spirits. Did exact opposite for me.“ Gregor joined the discussion. „Alighiero, do you recognize it too?“

I shrugged in a vague agreement. „It´s one of those songs you just can´t get away from, no matter how much you try. Especially in winter.“ I cringed internally at a particularly nasty memory attached to one cold, December night. Luckily, no one paid any mind to me.

„Right… that day… it was snowy like this… and that song was playing.“

„Aah, aah… Mic test, mic test!“ Kromer´s thin, insufferable voice poured from speakers overhead. „Enjoying your Noel, everyone?“

„Go fuck yourself!“ I yelled towards the speaker in a fit or rage. Far from the real deal, I was guaranteed to not be understood by the recipient, but at least I was able to vent some of the compounded tension I´ve collected along the way.

I really didn´t expect to get a reply.

„Hey, who´s this? Ugh, I hope I have the correct channel.“ After a brief pause to clear her throat, she continued. „Anyway, my name is Kromer. I´m a humanitarian who loves purity and the one who grips the hammer. I don´t know how you managed to get here, but you´re trespassing on a private property.“

I was momentarily indisposed on account of being utterly dumbfounded by the fact that there was a person who apparently could understand me just fine. Without being a Sinner themselves. And that someone was Kromer of all people.

„As you can see, this hallowed ground is undergoing our nailing judgement. I hope you like the decorations I set up.“ Kromer explained. Getting no reply, she got bored quite quickly. „Well, let´s just say you got lost. Turn back now and a fine will be all you have to pay. I´m feeling generous… today is Nativity after all!“

That Megaspeech didn´t last long at all. „Oh, before that- is Guido there?“

„Here I stand.“ A mountain of muscle and steel has spoken, trampling a dead body of a civilian on purpose.

„Good. Just in case, do you see any heretics over there?“

Guido´s gaze passed over everyone in the group, slowly assessing each of us before settling on Dante. „I see an impure one and their followers. And with them… the child you spoke of.“

„Hahahah! Really! My Sinclair is back?“ Kromer instantly perked up. „Come see me, Sinclair. I´ll be waiting at that familiar spot.“

„Grr...Khhhr….Kro...mer…“ Sinclair pushed out words through gritted teeth.

„Take out the rest, Guido. Or should I myself? I wouldn´t mind.“

„I urge you to focus on hammering the impure, O One Who Grips.“

„Hahahahaha! Good, good! Let´s keep up the purification!“ Kromer laughed one last time. „Now then, everyone! Merry Christmas!“ The sound cut off and the message ended.

A number of Inquisitors gathered around Guido, all of them ready to fight. I would be lying if I said I wasn´t scared shitless, but in the end, it was fine. The Inquisitors weren´t much tougher than the previous ones, though Guido sure turned out to be pretty persistent. At last the Sinners brought him to his knees. His arms were not serviceable anymore, as one was sliced clean off and the other was dislocated at the shoulder. He crumbled down a moment later, as if dead.

„...That was a tough opponent.“ Ishmael wiped sweat off her brow while Outis was all too eager to point out her faults.

„If you weren´t slacking off, they would be dealt with a few strikes sooner.“

„You´re both wrong.“ I commented as I picked up a nail and a hammer into my own hands. For something so destructive, their weight wasn´t difficult to carry.

„What are you doi-“

Climbing on top of Guido´s „corpse“ I drove a nail through the right eye of the mask and hammered until I was sure that the nail had sufficiently damaged the brain.

I could hear couple gasps of surprise, some of revulsion and one thoroughly horrified, which I guessed belonged to Sinclair.

„Why waste energy on that one? They were already dead.“ Ishmael cringed as I tugged on the large nail, using it to pry open the front of the metal mask Guido wore. With a little bit more persuasion, it came off, revealing a contraption filled with green liquid. Yi Sang´s eye twitched as he saw it, but he said nothing.

„Let´s go, I´ve got what I wanted.“ I told them with Guido´s pierced mask in hand.

„Little grotesque for a souvenir, don´t you think?“ Heathcliff asked, obviously uncomfortable with just how casual I was about doing something so horrible.

„Not a souvenir.“ Was all I told him before getting up and following the group that walked slightly ahead. I didn´t think they believed me. I knew I wouldn´t believe myself, either.

We marched on, arriving at the town´s square where a tall pine stood adorned with pieces of those unfortunate to have lived in Calw. There were about a dozen of N Corp soldiers, enacting their idea of purification upon the townsfolk.

„If we move quietly, we could pass by those Inquisitors unnoticed.“ Ishmael whispered as we hid behind one of the buildings in the area.

„Sinclair, do you know what Kromer meant by „that familiar spot“?“ Dante asked quietly.

„That´s… well...“

„You need to talk, Sinclair. Tell us what you know and you´ll prevent half the deaths we might suffer stumbling through the town.“

„It will also raise the likelihood of our success.“ Outis added, in her own military-and-strategy-first way. „I´m looking forward to hearing something useful.“

Sinclair took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before speaking. „...my house. That´s where Kromer must be. There´s… there´s another way around. It´s a bit longer, though.“

„It will likely be faster than fighting those guys head on.“

We crept around the town square. There still were couple of Inquisitors, but thanks to Ryoshu´s reflexes they fell before they even realized they weren´t alone.

„So, you know that bird?“ Heathcliff scratched his head as he struggled to understand the situation. „Bollocks my head is still pounding thanks to that shrill laugh.“

„...I met her at school.“ Sinclair replied cagily.

„Oh boy, she´s a friend of yours? Whatever´s going on, sure hope you can talk it out.“ Rodya added innocently. I didn´t have the heart to laugh at her.

„She´s not my friend. Kromer killed my family.“

„My bad.“ She deflated at her horrid misunderstanding.

„Si-ncla-ir…. Why….did….y-you...re...turn?“ A prosthetic head hanged on the front door of a nearby house spoke in a broken voice. Dark oily liquid pooled under it and sparks flew from the strands of electric wires woven into a crudely made wreath attached to the door.

„Sinclair…. are those your neighbors?“ Rodion asked once again. Her face was pale, almost green.

„It looks like they were.“ Sinclair replied, glancing at the prosthetic face for a moment. „I really hope that isn´t the case, though…“

„Siiilent niiight…..“ The prosthetic heads around the town began to sing. It was out of tune cacophony, hardly recognizable, giving way to making grim visuals even more twisted. „Hoooooly niiight…..“

„It´s clearer than ever now… prosthetic body parts are „herecy“ to them.“ Ishmael flinched as she passed one of the bodies, dismembered and headless.

„Though it has been quite a while since prostheses were first introduced to the City, many people still find them foreign and alienating.“ Faust commented as we walked on, closer and closer towards the burning manor in the distance.

„Our town… our town was called „The Holy Site of Nest K´s Prosthetic industry“. Most of the residents worked in manufacturing high-end prosthesis components.“ Sinclair sniffled. „Kromer has been keeping an eye on our town for a long time.“

Dante nodded in understanding. „So, was your family…“

„Yeah, my father was the owner of a fledgling prosthetics company, too.“ Sinclair replied, and stopped in his tracks as if just realizing something. „Is that why…“

„No.“ Ishmael shut his thought down as soon as it assumed form. „The way I see it, attributing it to a high-flown cause of any kind is giving them too much credit. They´re just… lunatics, consumed by madness and violence.“ I could see Ishmael pausing briefly for herself, too. She was probably recalling her own Kromer. I decided not to push her about it just yet. It was far too early to open that can of worms.

We came upon the manor soon after, which cut the opportunities for further discussions short. The burning was entirely on fire, closely resembling an enormous furnace. It gave off similarly potent heat, too, which made my earlier mental comparison of the impaled corpses to meat skewers all the more unfortunate.

„This is… awful to say the least.“ Ishmael commented in a trembling voice. Whether it was the number of bodies realized in an easily countable manner or the fact that we were closer to the fire that was the source of putrid smoke was debatable.

„The graves, they are…. dug up?“ Sinclair´s eyes drifted to the far end of the courtyard in front of the mansion where three distinct holes were located, emptied of remains of his family.

„To execute the dead – this is nothing short of devil´s work.“ Yi Sang eyes the graves with that sort of quiet anger that would easily go unnoticed unless you knew someone well. I was surprised to catch it myself.

„Halt! One uniform, straight ahead.“ Outis pointed to a lone N corp Inquisitor, standing firmly next to the impaled bodies to the left, resembling a statue more than anything else. In the hands of the Inquisitor were the instruments we´ve already seen plenty of: large nail and a hammer, both used for destruction instead of creation. Their stillness with clear sight of Dante, an obvious „heretic“ in their eyes sent my guts into a painful twist. As far as I remembered, this wasn´t the way the story was supposed to go.

„Alighiero, is everything okay? You´ve gone real pale.“ Rodion worriedly alerted everyone to my condition.

„We will need to get that Inquisitor away from the bodies on the left – as far as possible, if we can´t manage killing them right away.“

„Ryoshu´s easily the fastest.“ Dante replied in a low tone, though the ticking of their clock remained as loud as ever.

While we deliberated between ourselves. Another figure decided to join us, whistling as she stepped into view. She came out of the doorway surrounded by flames. If the context of her character was different, maybe I would feel mildly excited about the way she reminded me of a less naked Daenerys Targaryen. Instead I felt nothing but pure adrenaline shaking my limbs as I breathed slowly to keep my heart rate low.

„That whistling….“ Sinclair shivered next to me, terrified but standing his ground nonetheless. I was quietly very proud of him.

„I mean, it´s just too funny when you think about it.“ Kromer laughed as she walked towards us, slowly, like a cat on a prowl.

„Why put so much effort in burying bodies that can´t even rot… am I right.“

„Kromer!“ Sinclair barely stuttered her name out. If I didn´t know better I would´ve thought she already had her metal gauntlets squeezing his neck.

„I´m sure you´ll find ´em around here somewhere if you look hard enough. I do remember nailing those three.“ Kromer spoke in a sort of a honey-sweet voice, as if she was completely sure that she was in control of the situation. I could not wait to see her boastful attitude shatter.

„Well, Sinclair, you´ve grown a spine, coming all the way here.“ „Enough of one to look at a few dead bodies too, right?“

Her taunts were chipping away at my dwindling patience. I gripped Guido´s mask that much harder. She could not see it, as Rodion stepped in front of me the moment she noticed Kromer.

„Why… just why… all this….?“ Sinclair asked, though it was a question without a proper answer since the day he met Kromer for the first time. His trembling voice was overshadowed by Outis´ question which came immediately after.

„Where did our Before Team get off to? They should´ve turned up by this point.“

„Ah! Sinclair´s got some buddies! Looking for the other filthy ratlets that snuck in here, are you? Okay, okay, watch closely, I´ll turn on the lights, so open your eyes wide!“

Electric cord snaked along the grass between the enormous nails, feeding into light that turned on, all focused on a singular point where Effie´s destroyed body was located.

„Tadaaa!“

Effie´s midsection run through and one of his arms torn off, with a prosthetic shoved into the wound instead. His other arm was apparently still somewhat able, as he was doing best he could to prevent his precariously positioned body from sliding lower on the giant nail. He was barely breathing, but conscious. In other words, still very much alive.

„Effie!“ Sinclair and Gregor cried out almost at the same time.

„In his current state it will take around two days for him to completely die. And the pole piercing through him will only amplify his suffering.“ Faust commented. Her expression felt indifferent at first, but there was a slight tinge of disgust to it if nothing else.

Before I could nudge Ryoshu and tell her to attack before the Inquisitor drove the nail through Effie´s skull, sealing his fate, said Inquisitor´s tools were already on the ground, along with their arms. The cuts were bleeding profusely, turning into scarlet sprinklers as the Inquisitor writhed on the ground, powerless. Ryoshu didn´t come out of the altercation unharmed either, sporting two nasty wounds in her torso as she breathed hoarsely, coughing up blood.

That however did nothing to mood as she grinned at her blade that slashed through the Inquisitor´s neck, finishing them off.

„Pwahahaha ahahahahhaaa! Really, it´s hilarious how you all care for each other when you´ll all meet the same fate anyway. Brings you back, doesn´t it, Sinclair? Your face back then was real priceless.“

I knew what Kromer meant. Her one and only trump card that took shape of a large tin can of a man with an even larger hammer. I was glad I waited to show my hand.
Before Sinclair could deliver his words and jump at Kromer, I pushed Rodion slightly aside, revealing myself. I needed no words to address Kromer. Instead, I threw Guido´s pierced mask to her feet.

I could almost hear her confidence snap in half as she stared at the metal mask that clattered along the stone path leading to the manor behind her. Her face was morphed by snarling anger, so animalistic I was surprised she had not distorted right there. Instead of attacking, however, her eyes briefly flew past us as her lips curled into a smile.

„Meet me inside Sinclair…. If you make it, that is.“ She said before bolting into burning building.

„KROMER!!!!“ Sinclair yelled, barely held back by Don, who of all people thought to take firm grip of the back of his collar before he ran into the fire himself. „Get back here! I´ll… I swear, you-! I´ll grab you with my hand and-“

„Nope! It´s always been the other way around!“ A ghastly voice came from somewhere among the fire. „I am The One Who Grips.“

„Sinclair, don´t be stupid! We´ve got enough trouble to deal with here.“ I called out to him. He seemed to retain enough sanity to glance back and see that there was a considerable amount of Inquisitors waiting to attack us from behind at the most opportune moment.

With a battle cry so vicious the trees around shook he ran straight into the group of six, felling them all on his own before they landed a single on him.

„What the… what have have you been dawdling in the back for if you could do that?“ Heathcliff breathed at the sight, visibly impressed with the boy that so often was at the destructive end of his bat.

Though there were no more live Inquisitors in the area, Sinclair was still in his berserker rage, stabbing an already dead body, sending blood all over the place. It was in that moment that Don walked up to him… forcibly taking the halberd from his hands and sending punches into his face, one after another. Dante briefly wondered if he should´ve done something about it, but when Don suddenly stopped and Sinclair was no longer in murderous rage, there was only one thing to consider in the courtyard.

The group, one by one turned to mangled Effie who was doing his damnest to stay alive.

„Manager, I happen to know of a method to end a life with as little pain as possible.“ Outis spoke as she and Dante stepped closer to him. „It´s one that saw many uses in fact. May I ask you to give me the order?“

Before Dante could speak, I ran up to them both. „Don´t!“

As always, my words earned me a slew of looks that were not friendly. I was getting pretty tired of becoming the Cassandra of the group.

„His head is in tact. And as Faust said, though enduring a great deal of suffering, he won´t die completely for next two days at least.“ I quickly explained. Even Effie seemed to comprehend what I´ve just said, a corner of his mouth twitching, almost as if he was trying to smile. „More than enough time to call for reinforcements, don´t you think?“

„Reinforcements? You mean Vergilius?“ Faust asked, still doubtful.

„Yes, but actually no.“ I scratched the back of my head. „He´s a Color Fixer - in other words, a man whose name comes with significance and connections. If you ask me, Siegfried will trip over himself just to have Vergilius owe him one. There´s also another thing to consider going forward.“

„Which is?“ Dante asked, their clock hands twitching anxiously.

„I´d be nothing but a liability if I went down there with you. I mean, more so than usual. I propose you let me trek back to the bus while you… sort that out without my further assistance.“ I nodded towards the mansion.

„That´s a big ask, Alighiero.“ Dante considered. „I´m not sure it would be wise to drop anyone off the team in order to send you back to the bus.“

„You misunderstand, Dante.“ I shook my head. „I am not asking for anyone to accompany me. I am offering to go by myself.“

„Okay, I know I´ve said it before, but now I really mean it. ARE YOU AN UTTER LOONY? If you get hurt, it´s over for all of us.“ Heathcliff argued loudly.

„If Dante gets hurt I die with them. Don´t act like that possibility isn´t on the table, too.“ I barked back, just as angrily.

„That´s different.“

I sighed, annoyed. „Look, I´ve not been on your team for long. You know nothing of my capabilities. Sneaking around, climbing buildings to get out of sight and reach of… pursuers… is something I am actually proficient in. The Inquisitors are slow and I doubt they will bother scaling roofs of houses in all that armor.“ I pointed at the dead Inquisitors around us. „I´ve trusted you with my life since before I knew about that strange bond we share, Dante. All I´m asking for is fraction of that trust in return.“

Dante stood there for a moment, thinking. They took longer than usual to decide, but eventually they came to the conclusion. „Fine. We´ll do what you´ve suggested. But please, be careful. If I start rewinding while you´re in a tough spot…“

„I´m aware of the risk. But I also know that without reinforcements, what you´ll face down there could very well be the end of line for both of us.“ I was pointing at the passage of fire. The flames there had since died down a bit, making passage far safer.

„Are you absolutely certain?“

I turned my head towards the sound. I was surprised, though in hindsight maybe not so surprised to hear Faust ask that question.

„Yes, Faust. Like I said, I am always acting in my own best interest and therefore Dante´s and Company´s best interests. I wouldn´t make this suggestion in the first place unless I was sure it was necessary and that I am fully capable of doing what needs to be done.“

Dante and Faust looked at each other for a moment. Before nodding.

„That´s done then. Don´t die too many times, ´kay guys?“ I smiled at the group before kicking into a sprint towards the town.

Chapter Text

The warmth and light of the burning mansion was soon replaced by the crisp cold air whistling past me and through the windows and doors of the ghost town called Calw.

It was quiet and dark, too, as the bonfires around the town gradually died down, making every shadow that much taller.

A thought did cross my mind that perhaps I made a grave mistake. I quickly pushed it aside and pressed on, recalling the many people who depended on me. Several times I passed by Inquisitors and had to hide. Luckily, there weren´t many of them and they all carried torches, making them easy to spot in the dark. When I reached the town square, it looked strangely empty. If even one Inquisitor was in sight, I might´ve chosen the long way around, the same path we took on the way to the mansion. However, feeling that time was of the essence still, I decided to risk and walk through the town square.

I wasn´t going to march through it without care, though. I stuck to the walls of the buildings, avoiding the open space which would have been all too convenient for an ambush. In my carefulness, however, for that brief moment I was looking around the square I wasn´t looking in front of me.

My face met hard armor of an Inquisitor with a soft thud.

„Lovely night, isn´t it?“ I smiled innocently before bolting in the opposite direction. As luck would have it, I´ve soon ran into yet another Inquisitor. Seeing that my only option was to head into dead end alley and use trash bins there to get up on roof of one of the adjacent houses I did just that. Hoisting myself onto the roof, my muscles burned, protesting such activity without the proper warm-up or stretching, but survival was far more important than my comfort. I could only hope that Dante didn´t have too much trouble weathering that strain.

My breathing was fast, but I strived to keep it even as I leaped from roof to roof, evading the inquisitors on ground as they decided that throwing nails was a much more productive way to deal with me.

As I jumped onto roof of another house, however, instead of landing on top of it, I fell through as the old wood gave in under me. The realization of just how royally screwed I was didn´t come until the inquisitor broke the door down and dragged me out, holding my neck in iron grip.

I could hardly breathe as the inquisitors started arguing about my fate.

„I don´t know… I don´t really understand the language, but it does squeal like a human. And we are supposed to only fine those who are trespassing tonight as a show of or goodwill. Order from The One Who Grips herself.“

„Don´t be stupid, they are employed by some Limbus Company, see? They are allied with those heretics we´ve caught earlier.“

„I´m pretty sure they had completely different uniforms, though? Also, come on dude, they are just a temporary hire. We don´t have any concrete orders regarding those. I don´t wanna get reprimanded again for doing something we´re not suppo-“

„If you´re such a coward, fine. I´ll purify this wretch myself.“

Struggling in the tight grip as I was lifted high off the ground, my feet were dangling. I kicked with all my might, but it could not amount to more damage that a mouse bite. Whether it was more the fault of the burn in my lungs or the unadulterated despair I wasn´t sure, but a single hot tear streamed down my face.

I failed, not just myself, but everyone who depended on me, both in that cruel world I was brought up in and the one I was dragged into by chance.

My fingers reached into my pocket in vain. The caramels must´ve all fallen out, because all that was left there was a single smooth rock I carried with me since I was eight years old. I gripped it in my hand, fully expecting inquisitor´s nail to pierce my feeble body.

Oddly enough, that didn´t come to pass, as a shower of shining globs fell around me, vanquishing both of the inquisitors with ease.

For a brief moment I considered the possibility that I was hallucinating from lack of oxygen in my brain or that I was already dead. The puddles formed by those strange globs looked like something from a drug trip, with their pulsing, swirling blues and purples accompanied by star-like twinkles. The puddles held no reflections in them, even when I looked into one of them. They distantly reminded me of a still, watery surface of a lake during a certain clear winter night.

Suddenly, I heard a jingling laughter from above. Fully expecting to see Demian, I was surprised to instead catch a glimpse of a dark silhouette that definitely didn´t belong to him. Despite being a child, the shadowy figure had no scarf around its neck and yet it skipped from roof to roof on feet lighter than air, before disappearing entirely into the night.

I decided to not look the gift deus ex machina in the mouth. because I was getting a strong feeling that it was filled with sharp teeth, all too happy to have an opportunity to sink into human flesh.

Knowing that my miraculous escape would attract attention of pretty much every inquisitor in the close proximity, I dove into the shadows once again as I ran towards the forest path where the bus was parked. My feet burned from the exertion, but facing no more trouble, I considered it to be a negligible development.

I was practically in front of Mephistopheles when I slipped and fell, face burring into grassy undergrowth. When I tried to pick myself up, I realized in horror that such a thing would not be possible – I no longer had any feet to stand on. What little remained of them at the end of my legs was quickly melting into bloody sludge and seeping into the dirt below with every passing second.

Using my arms, that were thankfully not melting, I crawled closer towards the bus door, driven by nothing but adrenaline and my own stubbornness. Only when I saw his feet stepping towards me have I realized that Vergilius was once again outside of the bus. He asked no questions before scooping my foot-less body off of the ground.

„You have much explaining to do, Alighiero and I do hope you have some sort of plan to accomplish it.“

„Phone.“ I hurriedly signed with my hands, in hopes that Vergilius could piece together what I meant. I pointed to the back of the bus. „Dante´s office. Desk.“ I moved my hands again, shaping a surface in the air. It must´ve been just specific enough between Dante´s name and the gestures because a minute later I was fumbling with my favorite piece of technology. Though my initial idea was using emojis, Kromer´s initial reaction to my voice heard through the speaker gave me an idea.

I opened the dictaphone app and spoke into my phone before playing the message back to Vergilius.

„Is this communication understandable to you?“

„Hmmm, interesting. Yes, I can understand the recording perfectly.“

Given new hope, I was able to kind of ignore the continuous dread of my melting feet.

„Alright, Dante´s in trouble, they need reinforcements ASAP. As you can see, they are sort of melting into a goop right now. Also Effie is impaled, but alive and with brain still in one piece so maybe tell whoever´s going there to not kill him assuming he can´t be legally revived. Oh yeah, I think Saude is alive, too, injured as well, though. End or reportFUC-“ I quickly ended the recording so that my screams wouldn´t make it in. In all likelihood, that message would be making it into the official company report, so I wanted to be extra sure to keep it as orderly as I could, given my sorry state.

Vergilius grumbled something incomprehensible under his breath and headed to the back of the bus. Possibly his own room or office or whichever that space qualified as, leaving me alone.

Well, not entirely alone.

Next to me, Charon appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

„Got more candy?“

Having made my latest discovery, I was truly never letting my phone out of my sight ever again.

„Sorry, no candy. I lost what I had in my pockets, sorry.“

I was crying. Sobbing, even. I didn´t even clearly understand why, it was like my body just decided, hey, moron, this is crazy, time to finally act like it. Or maybe it was the feeling of my feet melting that turned into the feeling of my calves melting or the pain that gripped me as Dante was fruitlessly trying to rewind the meltdown of the Sinners as their last ditch effort.

When I pulled myself together enough to not lock myself out of my own phone, I decided to ease my suffering with some music. In that moment, I didn´t find it strange at all that Spotify worked just fine despite being in an entirely different universe with a totally different wi-fi and most likely no Spotify app. And yet…

Mmm um m ba de
Dum bum ba be
Doo buh dum ba beh beh

Pressure, p ushing down on me
Pressing down on you
No man ask for
Under pressure
That burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets

I looked at Charon. It did seem she at least enjoyed the song as she swayed to the rhythm. What I failed to noticed was Vergilius returning to bus proper. At least until he dropped the very bag of caramels I thought I have lost into my lap.

Um ba ba be
Um ba ba be
De day da
Ee day da
That's okay

That 's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming, "Let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets

„Nice song.“ He said as he knelt down to my missing feet.

„Yeah, it´s from back home.“ I said without care of whether he understood me as I was all too distracted by my rediscovered candy to notice what he was doing… At least until a tourniquet sharply reminded me that I still had legs that were actively bleeding.

Day day de mm hm
Da da da ba ba
Okay

„Keep talking. I need to make sure you stay awake. Wouldn´t want our dear Manager to be easy pickings, would you?“

„No, I suppose not. Where did you even get these, they were-“ I winced as the second tourniquet tightened around my other limb.

„Oh, right, the sweets… did you think I have not noticed how you slipped some to Charon earlier?“ He smiled softly, which was a strange thing to witness. Usually there was a slight undertone of meanness to Vergilius´ smiles.

„A Color turned pickpocket… what a concept.“ I laughed shortly.

Chipping around, kick my brains 'round the floor
These are the days, it never rains, but it pours

„What is it like?“ Vergilius asked. „Your home.“ He clarified, probably because I was looking at him like he was speaking in Klingon.

Ee do ba be
Ee da ba ba ba
Um bo bo
Be lap
People on streets
Ee da de da de
People on streets
Ee da de da de da de da

„Well, as the song goes, there are people on the streets, scraping by. Though, I guess everyone kind of just scrapes by… aside from the very select few who scrape others for their own benefit.“ I rambled, barely listening to Vergilius by that point. „...so I guess you could say it´s not really that much different from this world.“

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming, "Let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher, higher, high...
Pressure on people, people on streets

Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence, but it don't work
Keep coming up with love, but it's so slashed and torn
Why, why, why?

The particular flow of lyrics shut Vergilius up for just one brief, but no less impactful, moment.

Love, love, love, love, love...
Insanity laughs under pressure we're breaking

Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can't we give love that one more chance?
Why can't we give love, Alighiero, give love, give love
Give love, give love, give love, give love, give love?

Listening to the words myself, I completely forgot that I was supposed to be…. Talking? Was that what I was doing? When was that?

'Cause love's such an old-fashioned word
And Alighiero dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves

Hey, wasn´t it that Kromer who said something about caring for one another… I thought she said something like that… or was I remembering wrong?

This is our last dance
This is our last dance

A-IGIE-O!
This is ourselves
U--------ressure
Unde----------re
Pr---ure

Odd, it seemed like there was some other voice among the song… dissonant and raspy. But the silence after the song felt so nice and fluffy. Like the warm embrace of a bed after a long day.

I wasn´t going to say no to that.

The basement of Sinclair mansion , approx. 2 hours earlier

Dante´s POV

As we entered the charred mansion, Sinclair led us to the basement. He opened a smallish door with a squeak, revealing to us a long underpass leading to an unknown location.

„To think there would be tunnel down here…“ I wondered aloud.

„So… if my guess is right this passage should lead to the branch facility.“ Sinclair said in a tone that betrayed that he wasn´t quite sure if what he was saying was true.

„Why´re you keeping this shifty shaft in your basement anyway?“ Heathcliff asked as he ducked to squeeze in through the doorway which had a particularly low ceiling.

„It wasn´t here before.“

„What? Then how´d you know we ought to go to the basement?“ He questioned Sinclair again, slightly agitated.

„There are two answers to that question.“ Sinclair explained in a low voice, as if there was another question entirely on his mind. „Part of the reason is this feeling I have. It´s like a magnetic pull that draws the needle of a compass northward. Aside from my own intuition, though… Alighiero also pointed us here.“

Rodya turned her head to Sinclair. „When they have done that? I thought they just told us to not die too much before they ran off.“ She butted in, remembering the last we saw of Alighiero.

„Before that, they said: „...what you´ll face down there…“. Could be hardly something different from the basement.“ Sinclair pointed out. „Like they knew precisely where we were should be headed.“ He added.

„Further confirming my suspicions about their true allegiance.“ Outis muttered under her breath.

Sinclair however shook his head. „I don´t think they were lying, Outis.“ He then looked to the dark end of the tunnel. „I think…. I think they are just scared of what the secrets they keep could do if they let them out.“

The idea he voiced rattled between the walls of the tunnel, absorbed in different light by each of us. Unlike the rest of the Sinners, Faust strode ahead, her hand inspecting the wall of the tunnel

„Faust, what is it?“ I asked, all too eager to change the topic of conversation to something more productive.

„Judging from the material, this tunnel has been made relatively recently.“ She said. „It was likely dug by N Corp´s expeditionary forces when they had occupied the town.“

She then turned around to address all of us head on. „It won´t be a short trip. Given that this passage was excavated for their use, we will assuredly run into foes on the way.“

I couldn´t be more glad to have taken Alighiero´s earlier offer of help. „I guess I´m glad I´ve consulted Alighiero on which units to bring. If it wasn´t for their help, we wouldn´t have reached the mansion so quickly…. Or with so few injuries.“

„That is likely to be true.“ Faust nodded in agreement. „Are you ready to move in?“

„Yeah, let´s get this over with.“

The branch we entered wasn´t as well preserved as the one in District 4. It seemed that N Corp´s Inquisitors have been using the place as their base for a while. Countless torture devices and bits of flesh and prostheses were strewn around without much care.

„Please stop…..it hurts…… it hurts so much…!“ A robotic voice spoke ahead of us. It was accompanied by two more voices, clearly belonging to Inquisitors.

„Haaah…. This one speaks of suffering.“

„It must be a false cry. Pay it no mind.“

„No…the pain…. it´s real, I swear...!“

We watched on as the inquisitors mercilessly tortured the poor townsfolk on the grounds of trial so unjust, it made Outis´ earlier accusations pointed towards Alighiero look like a bona fide Justice system.

I supposed that Don must have somehow sensed the direction of my thoughts, because she pierced the back of one of the Inquisitors soon after they threatened the person after they failed to sufficiently cry. Though she acted at her own accord, I had no problem with it. In the narrow space of the basement corridor, fighting was going to be unavoidable, anyway.

„You heretics truly are like pests. Never alone, with a habit of constantly obstructing our great task; you are kindred creatures indeed.“

„I… I apologize for my...rash decision, Manager Esquire.“ She turned to me with a sullen expression and head hung low.

„It´s alright, Don. Just… let me know next time before you jump in so you can assume an identity first, okay?“

„Yes, Manager.“

The fight that followed was brief, but no less tense. Maybe the knowledge that reversal of their deaths could indirectly lead to my death made the Sinners that much more careful about getting injured.

„Well I´ll be…. you´ve all… gotten better at fighting, haven´t you...?“ Saude´s weak, though no less biting, voice carried down the corridor towards us.

„Saude…“ Gregor breathed out. We didn´t have to voice our individual thoughts. We all had the same thing in mind – relief.

She was resting against a wall, injured and exhausted, but miraculously still alive. Numerous bites left by peccatula covered her body.

„Are you alright? Can you get up easily?“ Ishmael asked, kneeling by her side. It quickly became obvious that much like Effie, she was in no state to move, let alone stand up and walk. Every word she spoke was accompanied by a painful twitch.

„Effie… how is he…“ She struggled outta single question that´s likely been on her mind for hours.

„Alive… though, he´s got it quite worse than you, I must say.“ Outis replied, her face unreadable, though she could not cover for the rest of Sinners whose expressions betrayed just how badly Effie fared. „If you hang in there, though, you´ll both make it. We´ve sent a messenger back to the bus with a request for backup.“

Saude´s eyes slowly passed over everyone in the group, coming to a slow, but that much more horrified realization. „Just...who…did you…send?“

Gregor was the one to pitch in. „Alighiero… the person that Effie said had a strange accent or something?“

Saude let out a blood-soaked cough. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she spoke. „You sent…. a rookie. You are...truly… unbelievable.“

„Manager.“ Meursault spoke as he gazed into the dark corridors around us. „There´s more peccatula inbound.“

„Then we shall deal with them.“ I said, assuming command once more.

„It´s hopeless.“ Saude said once we dealt with the last of those creatures. „You should… head down. They´ll just… keep coming, anyway.“

„And what are we supposed to do? Leave you for dead? Saude, you can´t be serious.“

„That´s what you´re supposed to do in situations like these. Nod along and let me take the fall.“

„Well, I guess we didn´t get the memo then.“ Ishmael said angrily, ripping her own shirt to wrap the worst of Saude´s wounds. „You heard Outis, help has already been sent for. If you die now, you´d just be ungrateful.“

„Aw… you´re making this pretty awkward, you know that? Here I thought I could have a cool farewell.“ Saude told Ishmael. When she was done with the knots, Saude took out her gun. She briefly checked the magazine before pushing herself slightly more firmly against the wall. „Alright, fine…. I´ll do my best. For your sake, too. Someone… needs to keep those guys… off your backs. And Faust-“

„...should you die here, I´ll make sure to give Vergilius your regards.“ Faust nodded.

„No need.“ Saude swallowed. „Just tell him to visit and say hello someday. You know what I mean?“

Faust sighed. „Of course.“ We moved further into the basement soon after, leaving Saude behind. The journey turned exceptionally silent, giving way to hearing all sorts of noises as we crept to the deeper levels.

There we heard a strange sort of scraping against the floor, as if someone was using it to sharpen many blades. Along with the scraping could be heard growling and roars, as if some kind of wild animal has made its home there.

„You hear beasts crawling somewhere, too, right? Heathcliff asked, hand tight around his large bat.

Surely enough, something did creep from behind the corner. It had a raspy, shrill breath and fur, but bore also distinctly armored appearance.

„Are those Abnormalities?“ Gregor asked, positively disgusted.

„They aren´t – take a closer look. See that emblem?“ Ishmael whispered. As we followed her index finger, it became obvious that the emblem was none other than the one worn by the Inquisitors.

„They fell victim to E.G.O. corrosion.“ Faust explained.

„You mean that nauseating state?“ Gregor asked once again. I recalled it from the past, too. It was an unfortunate side effect that came with overusing E.G.O. The more powerful E.G.O., the more difficult it was to reign in, both figuratively and practically.

„I think it happened to me at some point, too… I was on the verge of breakdown. It was like I was being devoured.“ Ishmael breathed out.

Faust paused for a moment, then spoke. „Although it´s not unlike consumption in the conventional sense… I do suppose that it is a serviceable analogy, seeing as it eats away at your essences.“ She looked around with an analyzing eye then nodded as she solidified her thought. „In observation, unlike the last floor, this place does not seem to be exclusively for torturing prosthesis users. It would be fair to say that its purpose is to induce corrosion onto oneself.“

I stared at the corroded beasts that once perhaps used to be human. No, ones that did use to be human, but then were twisted beyond recognition… until they succumbed to their innermost beliefs, choosing to fully lose their past selves.

It made me wonder just what would occur if they were to claim the Golden Bough for themselves after going to such lengths. Would it even be used for their benefit?

Then it occurred to me. Was I really any different from those unsightly zealots? I didn´t even know what the Golden Boughs would be used for.

I imagined what would Alighiero say to me if they were with us and I asked them about it. The last we saw of them, they were smiling widely, as if going for a nice, calming walk in a peaceful forest. I couldn´t come up with anything they would have said. Perhaps they were right. I truly didn´t know them at all.

„Manager, we ought to move.“ Outis suggested after the last of corroded Inquisitors in the area were felled.

„Yeah, I know, just give me a moment.“ I turned to Sinclair. I had yet to ask him about using the identity Alighiero suggested earlier. Looking at the identity card briefly, I could tell that while it was a Sinclair that had joined Nagel und Hammer, he did not take over the role of Kromer. It made me uneasy, but if it really was the best option in facing Kromer, temporary discomfort was probably a small price to pay. „Sinclair, can I ask you someth-“

As I spoke, I suddenly felt a significant strain in my arms.

„Dante, are you alright?“ Sinclair worried, but I just waved him away.

„It´s nothing. I´m guessing Alighiero is scaling buildings in the town now. At least, that´s the feeling I´m getting from my arms. It´s not unbearable, just a little unexpected.“

„So, what did you want to ask me about?“ Sinclair said, walking closer. He glanced at the identity card I held in my hand. There was disgust written all over his face.

„Why would you bring that one, Manager?!“ He froze, backing away from me.

„It was Alighiero´s suggestion.“ I could see Sinclair´s doubt grow, as did everyone else´s. Everyone´s but Faust´s.

„Identities have been crafted in a way that assures that no lasting cognitive damage will occur, even when we are made to wear identities that oppose our core ideals.“ Faust explained in a calm voice. „Though uncomfortable in concept, in practice they are mere tools used by Dante, nothing more.“

„Oh…“ Sinclair let out a sigh of relief. „I guess… if Alighiero suggested it, they had to have a good reason to do so.“

„If I recall, they mentioned that it is the best play they know. I… I forgot to ask what that actually meant.“

„Well then… what are you waiting for, Dante?“ Sinclair shot me a sad smile. I nodded in reply, but before I could slot the identity in place, I felt a strong tightness in my entire body. It made me fall to my knees. It was an immensely troubling development to say the least.

„Dante!“ Sinclair shivered. I could not answer him, as if something was preventing me, squeezing around my neck. While I didn´t need to breathe, Alighiero was the opposite. If they found themselves in grip of an Inquisitor…

The Sinners looked at me in horror. Though none of them were gravely injured at the moment, without my command and ressurective abilities they wouldn´t be difficult to overpower. I feared for their lives and Alighiero´s. My own went largely forgotten.

As quickly and suddenly as the feeling took over, it disappeared. I carefully rose back to my feet, straightening my coat and tie.

„Are you… are you okay?“ Sinclair asked in a small voice.

„Yes… I believe I am. I…. am not sure about Alighiero, but at the very least, whoever or whatever got their hands on them, they were able to escape…. Somehow.“

„They should be in the vicinity of Mephistopheles by now.“ Faust pondered. „If not, for whatever reason, they should at least be close. No farther than we are currently from the Golden Bough.“ She added, pointing towards opening metal gates. From inside an enormous space filled with mountains upon mountains of bodies shone warm golden light.

As we drew closer, it became apparent that getting to Kromer, who stood on top of one of the mounds next to the source of the glow, would not be easy. Surrounding the mound were tens of Inquisitors, all engaging in a prayer-like rite along with Kromer in the role of a preacher.

„The fathoms of the ego are already open. It seems that someone had already resonated with the Bough before us.“ Faust commented, putting the obvious into simple words.

„The hell are they up to? What´re they raising their hands like that for?“ Heathcliff questioned.

„Prayer.“ Faust confirmed my thoughts with a scoff.

„Do you hear that?“ Ishmael flinched at an incredibly out-of-place melodic tune.

Of all people, Heathcliff seemed to recognize it. „This feels awfully familiar… somehow annoyingly tingly… and unpleasant.“

We were thrown into whirl of Sinclair´s memories. As it turned out, the mysterious sound was nothing more than a school bell. We´ve ran into few fights, as the waves of memories paused and resumed intermittently. We saw Sinclair´s first contact with Kromer, the betrayal of his parents´ secret and submitting to Kromer´s every whim. His opposition towards prosthetics and the way his entire surrounding world seemed to be obsessed with them. There was no wonder why someone like Sinclair would catch eye of someone like Kromer.

He felt helpless and Kromer offered him the power to take hold of his fate, to make his own choices… only to twist his wish and mold it into horrible acts of violence enacted against Sinclair´s family.

Then there was that enigmatic classmate of his, Demian. As if entirely divorced from reality, he spoke of things that were rarely acknowledged in the City, let alone in the much smaller town of Calw.

In short, I did not know what to make of it, other than the single clear answer: Kromer had to die for Sinclair to truly begin to live.

„Well, Sinclair? Were you able to find an answer in your heart´s path?“ She greeted us on the very top of the tallest mountain of flesh and bones, grinning from ear to ear.

„...Kromer!“ Sinclair angrily gritted his teeth.

„Ahaha, don´t give me that look. It´s not even time yet. You´re making me want to kill you. Ahu… but no, no. I should abstain… I can´t let immediate entertainment distract me from the more important things.“

„Sinclair, the only way to retrieve the Golden Bough that´s begun to resonate is…“ Faust turned to Sinclair to remind him of his duty as Sinner of the Limbus Company. However, there was no need.

„I know. Even if it weren´t for our mission... I´d still tear that bitch to pieces… and drink up her remains!“

„Pfh…. Aahahaha! Sinclair! When did you learn to act so tough? That´s not like you at all! What a riot… pfft.“ Smile suddenly fell off Kromer´s face. „Still… Well, I guess you´ve made some friends since then. Or maybe not. One of them has already left you, didn´t they?“

„Stop it!“

„But you won´t run away this time, will you?“

„Dante… slot it in.“ Sinclair growled as I clicked the identity in place. The blood-stained and torn ivory overtook his clothes, adorned with red seals of N Corp Inquisitors. His eyes grew hateful and bloodshot, his hair tousled and messy.

The One Who Shall Grip.

„M-my Sinclair?“ Kromer was muttering something, frozen in place, overtaken by disbelief or maybe awe. Or both.

The Sinners jumped at her with great eagerness, but their effort paled in comparison to Sinclair´s righteous anger. His halberd was soon smeared with Kromer´s blood. Once she recovered from her initial shock, though, she unleashed hell upon us. Some of them were greatly injured, couple were already dead.

But Kromer wasn´t unharmed either, but she stood triumphally regardless of the blood pouring from her wounds. Sinclair was on his knees, trying to use his halberd to stand up when Kromer reached into his pocket and took out a shiny coin.

„There… I´m taking your second coin, Sinclair… your last chance.“

„Why…. Why are you doing this to me….“ He pushed from his lungs, barring teeth at Kromer. „Why… me...“

„Sinclair… do you wanna know why I gave you back the basement key when you asked? Listen close. It´s not because I´ve made my discovery or baked a copy of it. It´s because you were my key.“

Sinclair looked at her with strange expression, almost as if he comprehended what that meant.

„You see, I happen to know a way to peek at the futures that might come true.“ She stroked his messy hair with a smile. „I saw one among them where you an I travel from Nest to Nest, slaughtering heretics together all around the City. Even though you were raised by heretics bearing revolting metal bodies, part of you still felt disgusted by them. Funny, isn´t it?“

„You would stab them in the head with your halberd!“ Kromer stood tall reenacting what she likely saw, with mad twinkle in her eyes, not so different from the one Don had sometimes.

„D-Don´t you lie to me!“ Sinclair yelled at Kromer, standing up on his shaking feet.

„-while I smash their heads with a hammer!“

„Stop!“

„In that world, you looked like the freest person in the universe, transcending everything.“

„No… no, you´re LYING!!!“

„Whether I´m lying or not… ufu…“ Kromer staggered back with an inch of her life, blood dripping from her slashed and pierced torso. She crawled to where the Golden Bough was wedged into the mound and reached to it in mockery of a prayer, muttering something once again, just to herself before she suddenly stilled.

I heard something crack.

„The Golden Bough!“ I yelled. The Bough resonated with Kromer´s cackle and began to glow brighter. Then…

„Aah… It´s begun… At last, my final grudge will be fulfilled.“ Kromer spoke, but sounded off from the way she spoke earlier. A mass of flesh from the mound enveloped her lower half. From the mass of flesh, countless appendages of ambiguous shapes emerged outward. She became desire and madness manifested into solid form. „Come, Sinclair. Rip me up and chew me down. If you can, that is……. Keheheh.“

A hideous large beast with flesh wings lunged at us, slamming into us over and over, pummeling the life out of the Sinners who were still somehow standing upright… then, she smacked them off the side of the mound. Only I an Sinclair remained on the top before her, holding on thanks to Sinclair´s halberd, buried into slippery flesh below our feet.

It burned as it ate away at our bodies, melting them with acid. Sinclair screamed.

„YES! That´s it! It hurts, doesn´t it? You´re filled with rage, aren´t you? Accept it all! Welcome it with open arms!“ Kromer cackled in our face, knowing that she had already won.

„Come closer! Watch me! Watch my glorious body, closest to the purest form of humanity than ever before! This flesh here! The sheer, unmatched strength of purity!“ She pushed him around like he was no more than a puppet on a sting. „Aah, Sinclair, look how human you are… you can become like me, too.“

„I´ll…. you´re…“ Sinclair crawled onward, barely able to move his body. Scrambling for some kind of power to give him, I tried to rewind the clock and restore his body. Over and over I tried and tried, unwilling to doom us all. Unwilling to doom Alighiero, whom I forcibly tore away from their home, not unlike Kromer once did to Sinclair.

„Sinclair… you were scared all along, weren´t you? You´ve lost your family and then you had to ride along on a bus with these strangers, forced to do things you didn´t want. You knew in your heart you didn´t belong there, right?“ Kromer laughed. „Didn´t you want to run? To quit it all? Am I wrong?“

„I swear….I…“

„Join me, Sinclair! Don´t avoid this, embrace it! Complete my grudge!“ Sinclair´s weapon clattered to the ground. „You must accept the pain! Only when we have transcended suffering itself can we be reborn! Bloat the flesh, spill the blood! Adding on most human things each second! Onwards, to the purest world where the impurities plaguing the city of all folks have been filtered out!“

„Mama… papa… sis...“

„Sinclair! Listen to me!“ I called to him. I knew I wasn´t much of a good manager. That even Alighiero, who had not been with us for longer than a day has done better job than I with way less. Still, I made the effort to reach him. „I know you think a lot! I know there´s a lot going on in your head that you can´t share with others.“

„My family died because of me… I said stuff I really shouldn´t have.“

„Exactly! It´s all your fault – so embrace it! That´s the way to become wholly reborn!“ Kromer victoriously slid towards Sinclair on multitude of appendages. „Follow me… and rest in my grip!“

„Don´t listen to her!“ I called out, ignoring the pain of my melting body. „You have to see! Look at her! Observe her carefully!“

„Ah…“ He reached towards her, inch by inch.

„Sinclair…look! Look closely, Sinclair! Not with your eyes, but with your heart!“ I shrieked with the last of my power. „Only then… will you see what matters most.“

„Only then… will you see what matters most.“ A voice repeated, like an echo. „And when you can see the things that matter most, you won´t have to stifle yourself with shallow threats or cheap tricks. Isn´t that right, Sinclair?“

A boy appeared out of thin air, floating just above the ground, light as a feather. Then, with a single flick of his wrist, top half of Kromer vanished in a clean cut.

„D...Demian…“ Sinclair whispered in disbelief.

„You´ve changed your own fate, Sinclair. Right now, you´re neither coward nor a hero. But you´ve still yet to let go of your fears completely.“ Demian smiled softly at Sinclair. „I´ve said it before, haven´t I? When you fear someone…“

„That´s because… you gave them power to have control over you.“ Sinclair finished the sentence for him.

„That´s right. And I… don´t want anyone else to domineer over you. Which is why I got rid of that Kromer.“ Demian looked aside, at the gleaming Bough. „The world is about to head for a new birth and only a few individuals can get there.“ Then, he turned back to Sinclair. „Sinclair, you´re one of them.“

Before he could reply, Sinclair crumbled onto the flesh ground, unconscious. The mysterious youth then turned to me, walking closer and closer as he spoke.

„Kromer… attempted to become a god, like those which people of the past were said to believe in. Sinclair almost became her stepping stone. In the end, though, one has to break an egg on their own.“ He said, the same enigmatic smile on his face. „Kromer put in quite the effort, doing this and that to create a throwback to the time when Sinclair lost his first coin. Irregardless of the fact that Christmas is still a while away, it´s ironic that they resorted to creating false imagery, something they loathed so deeply. Don´t you think so?“

I stared at the boy who talked like we were on the same page regarding… well, everything. We were decidedly not. „What are you talking about? Who are you?“

„A pleasure to meet you, Dante.“ He laughed softly. „So, you´re the adult who will condition Sinclair at the moment. As for who I am, and as for what I was talking about; you´ll see in due time.“

I was left with even more questions than answers.

„When Sinclair takes flight with unshakeable faith in the power of the heart…. Right, when he becomes one with the beautiful stars, that is when I´ll return. Take good care of Sinclair, until then, Dante.“ He turned around, his blue scarf whipping around him, unbound by gravity.

„You…. You can hear me?“ I asked a stranger a second time that day.

„I can hear all sorts of chirp and trills of birds both resident and migratory, Dante. It´s only natural that I hear your voice. As always… what matters most is something you can´t see or hear.“ The boy replied before disappearing as abruptly as he appeared.

I crawled to Sinclair, one last time rewinding time for him even though my hand own hand was half melted. „It may have been your fault, Sinclair, but that´s okay. It´s one small mistake – one anyone could make. Don´t beat yourself up so much about it.“

I soon fell to the ground after that.

„-we found them!“

„This looks like the individuals we seek. Do I inject it now?“

I barely registered voices and a sharp jab to my shoulder that came soon after. It sounded like two people were arguing about something.

„The others can be revived as long as this one lives. Focus all resources on restoring their body.“

„We were provided three HP ampules. Do I use all three of them?“

„Keep an eye on the regeneration progress and use them at your discretion.“

Then my mind provided the information I sought – those must´ve been the reinforcements Alighiero risked so much for.

„Lucky straphangers…. they´re rolling in luxury thanks to having a Color on their team – one with a friend in K Corp. at that, too.“

Or maybe it was just my wishful, delirious thinking and I lost all awareness of my surroundings.

„….ction….firmed. Addi...“

Chapter Text

Note: This is an interpretation of the character by a fan, I do however encourage that everyone sees themselves as Alighiero. Credit and thanks goes to dEmO_tHE_mAno1 for allowing me to post this art.

Chapter Text

When I came to, you could say I kind of expected it to be a sort of bittersweet awakening of opening my eyes to the good old familiar world, having to face the dull and overwhelmingly grey reality instead of cultists who thought that reenactment of the Purge movies was a completely valid pastime.

Instead I woke up to the sound of multiple people arguing over food.

„Meursault, watch out where you squeeze that sauce! You´re literally busting the bottles open!“

„It is simply the most efficient way of sufficiently using these sauce containers.“

„Hey, welcome back!“ Gregor smiled warmly my way. His cheery announcement caused quite a stir among the Sinners whose faces turned my way.

I was still sitting in the same spot where Vergilius dropped me in after bringing me into the bus – coincidentally, it was Sinclair´s spot, though, smiling as he was, it didn´t look like he minded at all.

„Alighiero! You´re alright!“ He exclaimed with such a relief my blood ran cold.

Why wouldn´t I be alright ? Unless…

„Is Dante okay?“ I asked with a gasp, the last of my sleepiness slipping away in an instant.

„Way to word your sentences, Sinclair!“ Rodion laughed as she held two skewers, one in each hand. „They´re doing just fine, but it seems that they won´t be eating with us. Skewer?“

I looked at the stick on which were impaled many pieces of meat and vegetables. „Yeah, thanks.“ I smiled, taking one from Rodion. Only once I smelled it did I realize how hungry I actually was. It turned out to be extremely satisfying, despite the irony that of all things that could´ve been bought at a stall, we were having chicken kebab on a stick.

It was still one of the most satisfying meals I´ve had in my life. The atmosphere around me was warm and bright, with the light of morning sun shining overhead.

„We were worried about you. When we got back from the mission, you were…“ Sinclair paused, smile falling off his face for a moment.

Gregor took over, as Sinclair stumbled over his words. „You were unconscious. Manager bud wasn´t exactly clear of mind either after being fixed up and then having to bring back the rest of us, but they also weren´t completely out of the loop.“

„Ah… sorry about worrying you, then. It was a nice nap while it lasted.“ I laughed the dark thoughts away just as they have begun forming in my mind after that revelation. „Maybe it would´ve lasted even longer if it wasn´t for the saucy argument over there.“ I pointed at Ishmael who was tugging her hair away from Meursault´s range of fire. Unlike his technique of extracting sauce from the containers, his table manners were quite refined. In all honesty, I was surprised he hasn´t taken out a knife and fork to pull the meat off of the stick and onto a plate.

Among the jolly conversation, I noticed that two people were inexplicably nowhere to be seen. „Have Faust and Vergilius disappeared off to the back of the bus again?“

„Yeah… more of this scran for the rest of us, in any case.“ Heathcliff grinned. He somehow claimed four skewers, even though I was pretty sure that in the chapter Vergilius got only one skewer for each person on the bus… the math was not mathing.

„Uhhh… maybe don´t get used to taking things that aren´t yours, Heathcliff.“ I laughed uncomfortably as I ate. „The last thing you´d want is to make enemies over stolen kebabs, believe me. You can´t exactly get away from people on the bus.“ I quickly covered my tracks so as to not raise any suspicion with my comments.

Luckily, or maybe unluckily, my words seemed to fly right over Heathcliff´s head. I still held onto the meager hope that he´d have remembered my words before he went ahead and helped himself to coupons he didn´t even get to use. I promptly returned to my humble meal as I thought over what happened and was going to happen… and what could happen if I didn´t watch my step.

It could be said that if Dante´s capability to manage the Sinners didn´t hinge on me being conscious – but just being alive and unharmed – the most logical solution would be to stick me into a box with life support attached. Possibly in a nice coma if I was lucky. Any knowledge they could desire to know could be pulled straight out of my head if not my phone, that I was sure of. The only solace I could kind of rely on, was that torture wouldn´t be on the menu. A single small light in the endless pit of darkness.

I tried not to think about it too hard. If a decision lik that was made, I wouldn´t be in a position to do anything. Best I could do was to enjoy the ride and kebabs while they lasted.

„Alighiero…“ Outis made me raise my head to her. Thanks to where I sat, I would have to make an effort to not be in her view. „...before we set off to Calw, you´ve provided a very brief explanation on your supposed knowledge and-“

„Not this again…“ Ishmael sighed. „When will you lay off of their back about the whole traitor stuff? They´ve already risked their life for us.“

„It´s fine, Ishmael.“ I stopped her.

„What?“ Ishmael protested, at which point I sighed. Explaining myself typically resulted in pretty pointed opinions in regards to my person and especially my allegiance.

„I´m actually relieved that there is someone who questions my judgement on everything. It´s simple: If there wasn´t, I would have to worry, because it would mean that either you were all naive morons – which I know you aren´t – or that at least some of you were faking your attitude towards me.“ Outis´ eyes widened. I met them with a smile. „So yes, I am glad to know that at least one person doesn´t hide what they really think of me.“

„I have not thought of it that way… “ I could see that Outis was somewhat faltering as she grappled with the fact that maybe she did read me wrong. Or maybe she was just trying to think of another way to get to be one step ahead of me at every moment.

„I do want to add, though... I´d be honored to have earned your trust one day.“

Outis looked like she briefly considered something and then replied. „You could start by telling us what happened the previous night after you ran off. Manager Dante was in great deal of pain in a moment when they absolutely shouldn´t have been.“

No one spoke against Outis that time, they just waited for an explanation. Even Dante, who probably had their own thoughts on the matter looked at me with their naturally blank expression.

„Well…“ I was about to try to worm my way out of it, but just as I opened my mouth Faust has returned, not in company of Vergilius as the last time, however. „...I guess now that Faust is here, I won´t have to repeat myself.“

„Faust assumes you would like to deliver the rest of the information you´ve spoken about yesterday.“ She calmly state as she returned to her seat. „Is that incorrect?“ She asked, analyzing my expression, most likely.

„I suppose I have two things to talk about then. Thanks for reminding me.“ I said. The feeling of dread has barred its teeth again, but I was in no position to run. Only thing I could do was to face the music head on. „I think I´ll start with that, since the other thing will probably make more sense afterwards.“

I reached for my phone, only to be very surprised when I unlocked the screen. The battery´s energy percentage has not gone down in a significant way like it would normally do. I decided not to ask about it, however. Further stalling would only make everyone tense.

Opening the Limbus Company app, I was surprised to see that no connection error occurred. Then I recalled the fact that Spotify had no issues playing my music either. I shrugged it off as some multiverse weirdness. Between all the abnormalities, technological nukes like the concept incinerator and general advancements that my world could only dream of, working Internet connection and nearly infinite battery were not that impressive.

„It´s probably easiest if I just show you.“ I said as I tapped the icon and hid the screen from Don as the game began connecting.

„Wherefore art thou holding thy phone in such a way?“ Don asked curiously with her big starry eyes aimed right into my face.

„Uhh… spoilers?“

„Spoilers?“

„Things you shouldn´t know about yet.“ I explained apologetically. „Or rather, things you would have no way of knowing if it wasn´t for me.“

„J.A.G.U.A.R…..fuhu.“ Ryoshu commented with a small laugh. I immediately turned to Sinclair for answers, as he happened to be standing next to her.

„Huh… she says you´re just another genius… to use and replace? Ryoshu, is that really what you think of them?“ Sinclair recoiled away from Ryoshu slightly, but for me, such words carried a much more significant weight. If they did get all the knowledge I held, I really would be of no practical use. I tried to calm myself by focusing on the smooth, glossy surface of the phone case around my phone. It helped only slightly.

„No.“ Ryoshu spat out a spent cigarette in annoyance, immediately lighting another one as she looked at me. „Useful. Aggravating. Rascal.“

„… thank you?“ I laughed nervously. The game has finally connected, as the sound of mechanical interface load sounded. „Hah… there we go.“ I said, as I quickly tapped the „Theatre“ button and opened the first chapter, Selva Oscura.

„I think that this might be the easiest way to explain. Sorry about the voiceover, I don´t think you´ll be able to understand that part of it – maybe aside from Yi Sang. Then again, you were there, so you probably have a good idea of who said what.“ I turned the sound up so that even Sinners who were farther away would get something out of it.

„Why would I have understanding of what is spoken, but not others?“

„The game was made by South Koreans and you are based on a South Korean poet.“ I quickly explained to him. „While the text has been translated to a number of languages, the voice-acting is pretty limited language-wise.“

„That explains why you always talk like that, Yi Sang.“ Gregor nudged Yi Sang with his left elbow with a smile.

„Wherefore do you think that?“

„Just proving the point, mate.“ Heathcliff snickered.

Faust cleared her throat, slight annoyance creeping into her face. „Can we please focus on the matter at hand?“

„Y-yeah, right. Sorry.“ I tapped to open the story of the first episode. I turned on the automatic dialogue and watched.

Wolf: „Do you see now? You can´t run from us.“

Me: <You dare... interrupt me just as I was engraving the ■■■■■■... You must be out of your...>

„Is that „me“ supposed to be...?“ Dante asked. I nodded.

„Yes. That´s you, shortly after switching up your head. And don´t ask me about the expunged stuff, I don´t have a slightest idea about what they are.“

Lion: „Ah, if we´re being technical, what our master has planned apparently isn´t one of City´s taboos. It's just the kind of thing that... no one has ever dared to consider, you catch my drift? Huh, would you look at that... “

Panther: „You managed to get a different head in so fast. Do people like you always come prepared?“

Me: <Kngh... Just wait 'til I get the ■■■■■■... You'll be no match for my...>

Lion: „Haha, I guess that new noggin doesn't come with a mouth, huh?“

Wolf: „Yep, ticking is all I can hear. You think they're screaming on the inside?“

With a nasty fleshy sound, Dante was stabbed by Wolf. Several Sinners recoiled at the sound and the rapid ticking that followed. Dante winced, too, possibly faintly remembering what has happened to their body.

Me: <Ghaagh...!>

Wolf: „Hmm. It's ticking faster, so I guess they can still feel pain.“

Me: Dammit... Why... am I...! ...Why am I being attacked? Not good... Memories are dissolving already... The ■■■ was done too quick...

Wolf: „ What, they've gone quiet already. Let's get this over with.“

Lion: „ Wolf, this is a place no one visits and somewhere none can see. What's the hurry?“

Wolf: „We must follow her teachings. We can't drag on on any longer.“

Lion: „Yeah, but... Haa, this is the moment of a lifetime. We're not gonna get a second chance to kill someone of this caliber...“

Panther: „Lion, you have a tendency to grow too emotional during your jobs. I hope you show some discretion.“

Lion: „Pshaw...“

Panther: „It's a shame—I wanted to have a look at your face. I reckon you won't tell us where your star is, right?“

Dante: <Like hell I am. I'm taking ■■■'s location to the grave with...>

Dammit, where was ■■■ supposed to be again? My memories are escaping me too quickly...

„Is it just me, or does this „Dante“ sound nothing like our Manager?“ Ishmael asked.

„No. I don´t recognize this side of myself either. I suppose it´s how I was before the whole… clock head thing.“ Dante punctuated their words by softly knocking on the metal of their head.

Panther: „...Right. No mouth. Which in turn means... we won’t learn how to acquire it from this person.“

Wolf: „Can I end them now?“

Panther: „Sure... Huh?“

The sound of Mephistopheles driving in the distance made ears of several people who previously weren´t paying as much attention, perk up.

„Hey, I guess this is where we come in to save Dante, right?“ Rodion said as she leaned in closer to watch the screen.

„I… huh... If you arrived any later you´d probably have no manager now.“ Dante pointed out. After that, everyone silently stared at them.

„That´s one hell of a morbid though, Manager Bud.“ Gregor shivered.

Lion: „Hey, what’s that noise? Don’t tell me, Panther... did you allow yourself to be tracked?“

Panther: „No, there was no one that could’ve pursued me. Perhaps a wild animal?“

„What kinds of wild animals did that guy run into that he mistook our bus for one?“ Ishmael shook her head in disbelief. „Some people, I tell you…“

Wolf: This is not the sound a beast would make. It’s... a bus...?

Panther: How did it even end up here?

Lion: Must’ve taken a wrong turn? Hoo, the price they’ll pay for taking the wrong road will be heavier than they expect...

When Lion was sent flying by the bus, several Sinners around me cheered.

Wolf: ...It bested Lion’s strength?

Heathcliff laughed. „I guess this Lion woman is pretty stupid, ain´t she? Picking fights with a bus is some audacity.“

The very next moment when Faust´s shadowed silhouette appeared on the screen, Don loudly exclaimed: „´Tis Faust!“

„I can see that, Don Quixote. Please, sit down.“ Faust calmly stated, but it was a half-hearted sentence as her eyes were firmly attached to the words as they appeared on the screen.

???: „If my eyes are still right, then you will reach the harbor of glory.“

Me: <Who... are you? That nameplate... says... Faust?>

Faust: „You’ve lost your way in a dark forest.“

Me: <I’m... sorry, what?>

Faust: „Yet you were not overcome with fear. Why was that?“

Me: <That’s...I could simply... lift my head to find the star.>

Faust: „ That’s right. Now, repeat with the heart what I tell you aloud as you remind yourself of that image. Follow your star. “

Me: <Follow... your star.>

At that moment… I felt a sudden thump in my head. Followed by the sting of several chains penetrating my chest.

Me: <Hyag... Ah— Aaagh!!!>

As the screen shifted to the image of Dante, writhing in pain as the chains sprung out and connected with the twelve individuals around them, the Sinners seemed to realize just how much pain their Manager has gone through the day they first met.

Faust: „Relax. Though it may feel otherwise, your heart is still functional. With this, the pact has been sealed. Dante, from this day forth, we are bound to your time.“

„Pshhh… was that the most comforting thing you could´ve come up with?“ Heathcliff asked Faust with a scowl on his face. Faust did not respond at all.

Me: <What do you...?>

Faust: „The beating of our hearts now depends on where your hands fall. I hope you’ll make a fine leader.“

Me: <“Our”…?>

Ishmael: „Is that really everything?“

Yi Sang: „A single apple has fallen.“

The Sinners turned to Yi Sang in horror. He didn´t seem affected at first, but as he closed his eyes and reopened them with a sigh.

Outis scoffed at him. „An unfortunate choice of words on your part. Then again, none of us could´ve known what would come to pass.“

It was obvious for anyone in the know that Yuri´s death weighted on everyone still. I decided not to address it.

Ishmael: „...This guy’s still not making any sense.“

Rodion: „Geeeez~ The wait was killing me! Finally some action now?“

Gregor: „Well, I guess we could use a little warm-up.“

Outis: „What is that wretch miserably writhing on the ground? Are they to be the newest addition to the team?“

„Speaking of unfortunate choice of words…“ Yi Sang flatly said.

As Outis watched herself deliver prickly words aimed at Dante in shame. She looked like she wanted to do nothing more than to shrink to the size of mouse and hide under the velvet-covered seats.

Gregor: „Uh... You might wanna watch your words... I heard that’s our soon-to-be boss...“

Faust: „The attack must’ve happened in an instant— I’m impressed you managed to hide your head.“

Me: <Who are you people? And what’s up with this bus?>

Faust: „We are bearers of justice who have come to aid you, and this is the magical bus that takes us wherever we wish to go.“

„OOHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I KNEW IT!!!!!!“ Don screamed, assuredly with enough power that even Vergilius heard her. „Ah… I apologize.“ She hung her head down in shame under the gaze of several displeased faces.

Me: <Justice? Bus? I don’t...>

Faust: „Wasn’t that what you expected to hear? Either way, you’re better off believing us to be your saviors. We’re racing against time and the situation isn’t in our favor, so let me explain this once.“

„Faust concludes that this is enough of proof.“ Faust said. I didn´t need further instructions to follow.

„Fine by me.“ I said, though the action did produce sounds of disagreement. I sighed. „I didn´t show you this for nothing. You might have forgotten what exactly you have said then, but I am more or less sure that this was a word-for-word transcript of what you said that day.“ I looked to Faust for confirmation.

„Correct. Faust has only looked little further past the point at which you stopped the recounting, because there wasn´t much time to confirm the assumptions that were made in regards to your… arrival. Am I fair to assume that the device holds recordings of events from the point you just showed us up to those that took place yesterday?“

My stomach was twisting again. There was no other way about it, but to say how things were. „Yes.“

„So that´s how you knew that Effie was not... that we could save him.“ Sinclair shot me a soft smile.

„Not exactly.“ Though I didn´t want to reveal it, false understanding of my actions would only result in more problems down the line. „I´ve meddled with what was supposed to happen.“

„In that case you could´ve said something earlier. We would´ve warned Saude and Effie about what they were walking into.“ Ishmael rolled her eyes at me.

„Ishmael, I appreciate your current outlook, but honestly, no one but Faust would have taken me seriously. Moreover, I had to first make sure that what I knew to be the succession of events applied in this world. So I waited to see if things that I thought would pass would really happen exactly as I expected them to.“

„That explains why you let the lass cause that mess at the checkpoint.“ Heathcliff thought out loud. „Gotta say, that makes sense plenty, but then why not say something to the Before Team when we met up?“

I swallowed emptily. „I… at first I didn´t think that changing things around would be all that good of an idea. Given that Dante is essentially my lifeline, the smartest thing to do would be to keep my head down and go with the flow. Meeting Effie and Saude in the flesh, though… I realized I had to at least try.“

The tense conversation was broken up by Vergilius returning to bus.

„What merry get together is going on here?“

Faust answered in my stead. „I´ve been questioning Alighiero on the matter we´ve discussed previously.“

„Ah… were you able to confirm your suspicions?“

Faust nodded. „Very much so. Though the amount of knowledge they have access to is nowhere near the breadth of what Faust knows, the precision of what they do know cannot be overstated.“ She turned to me with her usual level of professionalism as Vergilius pushed past the gathered Sinners to his seat at the front of the bus.

„On that note, Alighiero, I would like to make further arrangements with you in regards to the manner of sharing what you know.“

My legs immediately felt like they were made of solid lead. „Well, everyone whom it might concern is present, so, feel free to speak.“

„Of course. I would like you to abstain from sharing what you know of future of the Sinners – that is to say, you may not speak to Sinners about their future or the future of other Sinners, unless it specifically relates to preventing an occurrence of a significantly difficult or dangerous situation.“

As soon as the weight was placed on me, it was lifted. „Ah right… yeah, I can manage to do that.“

„You seem relieved.“

I ignored the couple odd glances. „Well yes… Not gonna lie, I half-expected you to dig until you knew absolutely everything right away.“ I said, pushing the vestigial fear as far as I could.

„It certainly would be most convenient…“ Faust replied, earning herself quite a few opponents.

„...but Faust has determined such measures to be unnecessary. You have displayed both cooperativity and a strong drive to help us on our journey. However, Faust would appreciate if you discussed your action with Dante or myself before you take charge next time.“

„Sure, I will.“ I nodded quickly. Though the feeling I had has settled, some of it still reared its ugly head at the very back of my mind.

Since I set my phone aside, the Sinners have returned to their seats. I noticed that Sinclair was looking a bit uncomfortable, so I stood up. Only when I was standing it occurred to me how lucky I was that K Corp´s Singularity had to do with healing physical damage.

„Hey, don´t you try and leave now. We have not yet discussed the other thing.“ Outis barked at me. I just rolled my eyes at that point.

„Relax. I´m just stretching. Besides, I was occupying Sinclair´s seat.“

„I don´t mind.“ Sinclair´s face flushed as he looking into my eyes.

„Yeah and you´ve been shifting your weight from one leg to another for past ten or so minutes. No need to act all tough just for my sake.“ I smiled as I watched him sink back into his seat while I stretched my muscles. „As for the thing…“ I began, not really knowing how to put my experience into proper words. For all I knew, Child of the Galaxy was contained within the Library somewhere in the Outskirts, Demian would have had his scarf and I couldn´t think of any other explanation for the strange shadow child who saved my life. Then again, I supposed it wasn´t completely out of question that Demian´s group had a number of members I didn´t know about. Between all the blue and purple, my savior would fit in with them all too well.

„We´re waiting.“

„I´m thinking.“ I repeated in the same tone.

„Thinking of how to lie about getting captured?“

I sighed. „No. Yes, I did miscalculate and got caught by Inquisitors if that´s what´s bothering you, Outis.“

„But, thou escaped.“ Don pitched in. „Prithee, say how didst thou deliver justice unto those evildoers? Mayhaps thou granted them the very same fate as that dastardly Guido?“

As I remembered the moment I struck a nail through Guido´s head, I froze. „...not really. I… I´m not really sure how or why or who or what happened there… but I was saved by… something.“

„Something?“ Outis raised an eyebrow. „Elaborate.“

„It´s… well, it wasn´t behaving exactly like the Child of the Galaxy, but there was enough similarity for it to be concerning.“ I thought out loud. To no surprise, Faust was the only one who could comprehend what I was talking about.

„Child of the Galaxy? What´s that?“ Heathcliff asked, scratching the back of his head.

„It was one of the abnormalities extracted and contained within the Lobotomy Corp. Headquarters.“ Faust stated. „According to the retrieved documentation it takes form of a small boy whose skin and hair resemble starry night sky or a galaxy. Since Alighiero appears to be familiar with the abnormality, however, it is fair to estimate that such description is not applicable to what they observed.“

„Nor did its behavior. Child of the Galaxy´s defining characteristic is sobbing all the time, but the thing that saved me was laughing like mad – after melting two Inquisitors into shimmering starry puddles no less.“

„Okay, okay, can you roll back to the part where you said you were saved by an abnormality? Last time I checked, those blithers weren´t exactly the friendly bunch.“ Heathcliff pointed out. To my surprise he was joined by Ishmael.

„Can´t believe I´m about to agree with Heathcliff of all people, but he´s not wrong.“ She said with an annoyed sigh. „Also, I´m curious. How do you know so much about the abnormalities? We do deal with some of them on a regular basis, but it´s not like we´ve been to-“

I could swear I saw Ishmael´s hair stand up on the top of her head as her eyes widened. „-are we going to enter the Library at some point?!“

„No… not for a long time, at least. And to answer your question, Heathcliff, it doesn´t make any more sense to me than it does to you. I just know that I´m happy to be alive.“

I looked at Dante. They have been silent for a long time and that was… slightly concerning. „Is there something on your mind, Dante?“

„You don´t have your own seat on the bus. Or your own room. I feel like we should be doing something about that.“

I blinked at Dante in disbelief. „O-kay. I thought you´d have some more questions.“

„I do, but they aren´t particularly important right now. It´s also about the time for a Mirror Dungeon.“ The collective groaning of the Sinners must´ve been enough of a clue that they would rather listen to me talk for another five hours if it meant they would be exempt from the drills for the day.

„The thing is, Sinners endure a lot of damage there and… I do need to rewind afterwards.“

At once, I understood. „Don´t worry about it, Dante. It does suck to be me in those moments, but it´s not something either of us can change. I´ll just have to get used to it.“

„Alright. Oh, one more thing-“

„You want me to give you a crash course on team-building before you head in?“ I smirked at Dante knowingly.

„Yes….please.“

After much deliberation Dante settled on a Rupture-based team. Given my especially fragile nature, I was left in the bus, bored out of my mind. Though the phone provided some much needed distraction, the waiting punctuated by repetitive spasms of pain were anything but enjoyable. When the group eventually reappeared, all of them were dragging their feet behind… and all of them were in a dire need of a shower.

„Welcome back. How did it go?“

„Better than usual. Though, we didn´t get to the final floor because Sangy here corroded, and blasted away like half of the team.“ Rodya shook her head. „We were so close, too.“

„Apologies.“ Yi Sang replied. The bags under his eyes looked heavier than usual.

„What about you, Alighiero? It must be pretty hard dealing with all this.“ Sinclair asked as he dragged himself to his seat.

„Eh, I´ll get used to the pain eventually… I think.“

„No, I meant… don´t you miss your home?“ Sinclair asked, looking like the saddest blonde puppy you´ve ever seen. With eyes to match.

„That´s…“ I tried not to think about home. It was by no means perfect, but it was still a familiar place where things made sense and mental breakdown didn´t have the everpresent potential of turning a person into an equivalent of a nuclear bomb. „...I guess I miss my dog.“

„Don´t you have a family?“ Heathcliff asked, his face softening slightly.

„I do, but the ones left are not really people who´d miss me – they kicked out of the family home as soon as they were no longer legally responsible for me.“ I shrugged.

„What? Why?“

As it was a rather touchy subject, I gave them as brief of a summary as I could think of. „Because they are religious zealots who think that some random book written thousands of years ago has ultimate authority on who should marry who… among other things.“

„I´m sorry I asked.“ Sinclair looked at his feet in shame. I simply waved the subject off.

„Water under the bridge at this point. Though, I hope Fawkes chews through the door or something. I wouldn´t want the pup to suffer any more. Military service was enough.“

„Military?“ Gregor lifted his head up, looking towards me.

„Yeah.“ I pulled out a picture of my dear doggy on my phone. It was the most recent one, with the sleeping Rottweiler drooling on the couch below him, not long after he redecorated his brand new bed with his teeth. „Although this goofball may not look it, he spent 9 years of his life in service. And now he´s probably chewing on my favorite slippers and wondering why I´m not home.“ I turned off the phone screen, not wanting to look at the picture because I was sure that it would make me cry.

„With a gob like that… there´s a hole in the door for sure.“ Heathcliff said with half a smile.

„Thanks, Heathcliff.“

The rest of the day turned out to be quite uneventful. As the evening neared, Dante stood up to announce the end of workday for the Sinners. As they poured in one by one, I was about to try and find some kind of position that I wouldn´t regret the next morning, only to see Faust stand next to me.

„Alighiero, I was able to prepare a suitable room for you in the Corridor. Please, follow me.“

I stood up from the seat, expectations firmly on the floor. I noticed that the barrier that signified the end of the „safe“ part of Mephistopheles was moved slightly further, allowing for exactly one extra room.

„Faust hopes you will find it amenable. Goodnight.“

„Goodnight, Faust. And thanks.“ I took the handle of the door and opened it.

Though the room was sparse, with little more than a simple bed, a small mirror and a barred window, I couldn´t help but smile at the naked grey concrete that covered the floor and walls. When I slipped under the covers the sleep found me just as easily as it would in the most inviting hotel room.

When the next morning reared its head, I found it most strange. I fully expected someone to knock on my door or to wake up abruptly due to Heathcliff and Ishmael arguing about the order of using the shared bathroom. Instead, I rose in a deathly silence.

Hardly bothered about wearing my company-provided striped pajamas, I peeked my head out into the corridor. Meeting the same silence, I crept towards the small kitchen and opened the door.

Blood.

There was so much blood and it kept pouring out of the cramped space where twelve beaten dead bodies were unceremoniously shoved, bleeding endlessly. As I tried to run to the front of the bus, I slipped and fell into the liquid which immediately soaked through the pajamas I wore.

From the floor I saw the edge of the familiar red and golden-yellow coat.

„Dante, something terrible has happened, they are… they are all…“

A cold metal gauntlet clasped around my throat. I couldn´t breathe, much less scream as I was lifted up to meet the face of Guido who was wearing Dante´s coat. The nail was still wedged in his head as he lifted another, its sharp point aimed at my face.

„An eye for an eye…“

Chapter Text

I shot up from the bed drenched in cold sweat and breathing heavily. It was still the middle of the night. I was shaking.

Nice going, me, developing an N Corp related trauma on day ONE. When in all likelihood, N Corp. was going to be THE most likely destination of Meursault´s canto. Yup, tooootally cool.

I wasn´t able to fall asleep after that ordeal, so I simply stared at the ceiling, waiting for the rest of the bus to wake up. Part of me was still afraid to open the door even when I heard Ishmael and Heathcliff just outside.

„WATCH WHERE YOU´RE GOING WITH THAT BAT!“

„YOU WATCH WHERE YOU ARE GOING. NEXT TIME THE SHOWER HAS A LARGE GLOB OF ORANGE HAIR STUCK IN THE-“

„Morning. Coming through.“ I pushed past the two of them after haphazardly throwing my uniform back on and trying to get my hair to sit in a way that didn´t resemble a rat´s nest. Judging by their expressions, I was unsuccessful.

„You look terrible.“

„Coffee will fix me.“ I grumbled right into Ishmael´s face.

The door to the kitchen were open and only two people were inside: Meursault, drinking his cup of coffee whilst reading news… and Don, entirely captivated by him. When she turned to me, however, it was as if she just saw Vergilius coming at her to turn her into meatloaf.

The two of them were hardly of my concern, however. I smelled the distinct warm aroma in the air and that was enough to partially quell my grumpiness. „Meursault, where do you keep coffee in here?“

He lifted his eyes from the newspaper and after a cursory glance at me pointed to the counter with his cup before returning to the news, As I sluggishly turned to the counter it took me a while until I noticed the coffee pot there and found a clean mug in the cupboard overhead.

As I poured myself the hot beverage I hardly cared about its taste. Typically, I would not rink coffee unless it was properly sweetened and its bitterness diluted with creamer or milk. That morning, however, I wasn´t in any shape to look for any more ingredients. I sipped the dark, bitter liquid, my senses gradually sharpening. It however did nothing about my fatigue, making me that much more annoyed.

Yi Sang was the next unfortunate soul to meet m that morning. Unlike the others, his expression did not change in the slightest when he walked past me to get his own cup filled. Unlike me, he did drop in couple of sugar cubes beforehand.

„-and then I said „all in“ and pushed all my chips across to…“ Rodya walked past the door to the kitchen. Unfortunately, the doors were open, so there was nothing to spare her the sight of me and Yi Sang, side by side.

„Yi Sang, what did you do to Alighiero? You´re like twins now.“ She laughed, but stopped the moment I shot her a particular sort of glare. Once the desired effect was achieved I quietly finished the cup. I suppose I felt at least slightly more awake afterwards, which was a welcome development. I even noticed an extra seat that wasn´t in the bus before. It was obvious it had not been part of the plan, as no one in their right mind would voluntarily sit next to Outis after being repeatedly labeled a traitor by her.

She was already sitting in her seat, judgmentally watching as I neared her. To my surprise, she was actually quite considerate as she spoke.

„Rough night?“

„You could call it that.“

She glanced at me again and sighed before reaching towards me. With my slowed reactions, I could not do or say anything before the wrinkled tie that wrapped around the collar of my shirt like a limp noodle was tied into a shape that vaguely resembled a proper tie.

„It is not much, but you appear a bit more put together with the tie.“ She explained as I inspected the knot with my hand. Though the tie was wrinkled, the knot itself felt quite smooth.

„Thanks, Outis.“ I replied in the least grumpy voice I could manage.

Gradually, the bus seats filled with Sinners. I figured that the word must´ve got around because there weren´t any more comments on my appearance.

Except for Hong Lu, whose mouth would likely have to be duct-taped shut to stop him.

„Aaah, you figured out how to tie a tie? It´s so nice.“

„Actually, that was courtesy of Outis.“ I mumbled.

„Outis? Really?“ He exclaimed loudly enough for everyone to hear. „I was worried you wouldn´t get along, but I see now...I didn´t have to worry after all.“ He added with a smile.

I wanted to forget the sweep the whole exchange under the rug as fast as possible, so I just waved him off. That would probably be en of it if Faust hadn´t just come into the bus.

„Off the bus, everyone. We have a client we are supposed to meet for today´s mission.“

Of course. K Corp. I could not wait to see countless chickens abused in such a horrific way that PETA would launch a full military assault and commit all of the officially recognized war crimes in rapid succession. I could not wait to get my ears talked off by a self-assured ding-dong in a labcoat. Heathcliff, too had some opinions about it.

„Gimme a break. Now we´re taking requests like we´re some frou-frou errand boys?“

As we exited the bus, there was a long line of people waiting in front of a large, very corporate looking restaurant, complete with a huge neon sign advertising an abomination that would barely pass as a chicken in our world with its many limbs.

„Hm? Say, what´s over there? It´s got a long line in front of it.“

Rodya breathed in deeply and sighed. „Aaah… Can´t you recognize this stirring scent? It´s fried chicken, Greg. Deep fried chicken brought to crisp in expensive oil!“

„It seem you haven´t seen much of Nest K if you have yet to learn of Bodhisattva Chicken, the hottest trend around these parts.“

Of course. How could I forget? The Mr. Persuasion Check himself, complete with glasses nested on top of his head and lollipop in his mouth. I didn´t notice Samjo joining the group which only served to tank me already annoyed disposition further. Doubly so, knowing just what kind of mess we would get into as a result.

„Oho…. Bodhisattva Chicken, is it? What is that?“ Hong Lu innocently asked.

„Permit me… to answer.“ Breathing in, Samjo began to speak without any prior agreement n our part.„Bodhisattva Chicken is a highly renowned restaurant known for its six-legged, eight-winged poultry whose blissful tastes and gracious quantities really make you feel great compassion.“ He spoke so quickly I felt like I was being talked to by an AI that was told to generate an advertisement for fried chicken. And that AI was definitely NOT anywhere near as cool as Angela.

„What’s more, they’re prepared for every preference. The buzzworthy biddy with the right amount of tenderness, the chubby capon with plentiful flesh to dig into, the chewy cockerel that’s perfectly al dente, and more. Now tell me, what do you want?“

„For you to shut up and piss off.“ I grumbled, glaring at him with profound passion.

„Oh dear, what happened to your friend? Have they hit their head or something?“

Gregor tugged me away from Samjo with an apologetic laugh. „Oh, don´t mind them. They´ve woken up with a pretty spicy attitude – there´s a reason why unlike the rest of us they don´t have any weapon on them, you see…“

„Ah.“ Samjo nodded before slipping in yet another advert. „Well in that case they might appreciate the energizing lemon-ginger soda offered by the restaurant, which comes with free refills as long as you also order something to eat.“

I had to give it to him, he was good at his job. I kind of wanted to try that soda.

He then looked past us, off to the distance. „Gracious, what could those things roaming around the restaurant possibly be? They don’t appear very normal to me.“

Turning around, we had a clear view of chicken monsters attached to heads of the unfortunate K Corp. Staff.

„I-Isn't that K Corp's staff...? What are they doing?“ Dante asked.

Meursault stretched his neck, squinting at the figures in the distance. „I see individuals covering their heads with strange masks.“

„M—Maybe they're some kind of mascot? It could be pretty cute when we look up close... “ Sinclair mused as we watched them run around. I didn´t disagree. They had the design and shape of a highly marketable plushie.

„Those "mascots" have people running and screaming, though?“ Dante pointed out.

As it always went with things in the City, there was a caveat. I sighed with realization that I would not be getting my hands on any kind of energizing beverage before we got back to the bus. And even then it would just be coffee again. Or tea, if I maybe managed to recruit Outis to my cause. Given her newly-lukewarm behavior towards me, there was a small flame of hope.

„Seems a bit off, but let's leave 'em be. Doesn't look like they're coming this way, and I don't particularly feel like getting wrapped up in something bothersome— “ Gregor said, prompting me to jumping at Sajmo who was already leaning to the sidewalk to pick up a rock.

„Throw that rock you´re holding and I´ll throw you, fartface.“ I bared teeth at him as I held his wrist. Only I was holding the wrong hand.

He threw the rock. Naturally, I threw him to the ground.

„What in the world did you do?!“ Dante asked. I wasn´t sure at who it was aimed, but it wasn´t like Samjo could understand them so I answered instead.

„I did warn him. Twice. Anyway, I suggest you get ready for a fight, those chickenheads are looking our way now.“

„Giiiii... Giiii…“ The chicken-headed K Corp. Staff was upon us as Samjo got up to his feet.

„Yikes, I’ve made such a clumsy mistake. What will we do?“

„Likely story, kozyol... I advise you keep your mouth shut – Alighiero looks like they are not all too pleased with you.“ Rodion nodded towards me before following Dante´s command an assuming her Liu Association Director identity.

„They have chicken heads.“ Faust commented after the last of the pack was knocked unconscious.

„Yup, whole chickens.“ Rodion said as she nudged one of the unconscious staff with her foot.

„I wouldn´t call these chickens per se.“ I said, as I pulled one of the chickens off of the guy on the ground. It took serious amount of tugging, but loosened eventually. „See? It´s hardly a bird of the regular or the many-limbed variety served at the restaurant this corporate guy mentioned, no?“

„Corporate? Yeah, I guess this person does look like someone who works for the Wing“ Ishmael nodded. „Who are you, exactly?“ She asked him.

„…Ah, I did neglect to introduce myself. Here’s my business card. You may call me Samjo.“ Heathcliff snatched the business card he offered before anyone else could get hold of it.

„A K Corp... Affiliate of the Department of Food Resource Development's Research Center...“ He read slowly, stumbling over couple of the words. Suddenly, he grinned victoriously after a period of silence„Hah! Thought we'd be fooled by a bunch of big fancy words?“

Samjo straightened his suit, giving off the energy of the most Office-coded office worker ever. „Of course. Persuasion and explanation are where I excel, so please stay calm and listen. I was most impressed by the feats of your battle just moments ago. As you can see, those chickenheads of unknown origin which are occupying this restaurant’s front have been causing considerable damage.“ He pointed to the great, big McDonnald´s of the City. I suppose it was at least less boring than McDonnald´s, but having the prior knowledge of just what kind of scum the guy running it was, I had no intentions of playing particularly nice.

„The venue’s manager has also been bedridden until just now. You may speak now.“

The short slimy bastard was shaking like a chihuahua, but lacked the yappiness or the big-dog-in-small-body nature of one. He looked like a stronger gust of wind would topple him over.

„Erm... So, things've been... Our fryhouse opened up a few months ago just across from Eunbong's Bar & Fryers. Our franchise offers generous servings of good-tasting food using poultry with a supreme pedigree, so it was natural that we would draw all the customers from Eunbong's.“

Though the rest were genuinely listening to the tale, I couldn´t uphold my interest. At least I could excuse my disinterest by simply being tired.

„But one day, out of the blue, the owner of Eunbong's started acting real strange. Losing his customers must've shocked him or somethin', and now he's trying to ruin all of our businesses.“

„Fair, all things considering.“ I said flatly. It came in handy to not be understood.

„Yeah… I mean, it's not uncommon for competitors to throw jabs at each other, right— “ Gregor nodded along with me. I didn´t bother correcting him. I would let the gang know soon enough just what was going on.

„Kyaaaugh!!! What the hell!!!“

An unfortunate resident yelled as the owner of Eunbong´s himself showed up. I had to agree that seeing a huge googly-eyed chicken man was about as ridiculous as it could get.

„Khh... Ghh... Kagh…“ He swung his arm in command and the chickens followed suit in unison like an angered herd of chicken-sized bulls. The jumped at just about everyone: residents, K Corp. Staff, men, women or children. The rampage seemed nigh unstoppable as those whose heads were claimed by chickens seemed to turn on their comrades.

„...What in the world? Is he commanding the chickens?“ Ishmael asked.

„That's definitely strange behavior. How spiteful does someone have to be to resort to that kind of stuff...?“

„I dunno, Heathcliff doesn´t need that much persuasion to argue with Ishmael… though I guess he´s not exactly commanding an army of chickens.“ I commented, already yearning to get away from the whiny manager that totally wrecked a mom n´ pop restaurant because it served better chicken than his own big corporate chain.

„I don't know if they're augmented or what, but those plucked and prepped hens would break into the restaurant and destroy things... and now there's people wearing those chickens on their heads, too. If this keeps up, our restaurant is gonna lose so much money.“ He spoke hurriedly. Of course the guy like him cared about money and not the damage caused to the people who lived in the Nest, thinking they didn´t have to worry about their day-to-day safety.

„Such is his feathery song.“ Samjo said.

I glanced at Yi Sang who was almost glaring at Samjo in that moment.

„This has been his tear-jerking reflection. Would you be willing to deal with this case?“ Samjo asked when the restaurant owner finished his whole spiel.

„Tear-jerking or whatever, we still don't take requests from a chicken p—“ Heathcliff gripped his bat tighter, ready to smash Samjo´s head in.

„Lifetime. Voucher.“ He said, pulling out a bucket of fried chicken from god-knows-where. „Handle this request, and I’ll offer you groundbreaking benefit: the right to free orders from this restaurant for the rest of your lives.“

„A lifetime voucher?! I never heard of such a—“ The Bodhisattva Manager lamented.

„I have even prepared a few free samples for you.“ Samjo shoved the bucket to my hands.

The manager of Bodhisattva´s looked at him like he just told him there was a candy mountain on the Moon. „You what?!“

There was enough self control left in me to not throw the bucket upside down over his head to act as a greasy hat. He was lucky that my gut was rumbling for the mouth-watering fried chicken right under my nose. I immediately claimed a drumstick for myself.

„Now now, stand in line and keep things orderly. I’ve brought samples for different pedigrees, so you’re free to pick and choose. Each one comes with a unique brand of tastiness, demonstrating its strengths in differing cuts of meat.“ Samjo said, effectively using me as an impromptu assistant bucket-holder. I was mad about it, but the chicken was nice and crispy. I couldn´t complain, it was free food at the end of the day.

„Mmmmh... Must I choose only one flavor to taste? They all appear equal in gustatory greatness...“ Don drooled at the sight of all that golden, crispy meat.

„Let me suggest this, then: Leave the other flavors as something to anticipate for your future meals. It won’t be a problem once the lifetime voucher is in your hands.“

„Oho... Indeed, 'tis an infallible proposition…“

I guess the way to the heart really is through stomach… at least one of them. Especially when the tools used to make way belonged on KFC menu.

„What do you say?“ Samjo looked at us once the chicken was distributed among the whole group.

„……..“ Heathcliff was silently munching on the chicken, evidently trying to form an intelligent, thoughtful response.

„That's... not half bad at all…“ He said finally.

„Hello...? Aren't we supposed to be looking for Golden Boughs, not golden drumsticks? Since when did we—“ Ishmael wondered out loud in annoyance. All the same, in her hand was a juicy fried piece of chicken breast with half of it gone in a single bite, so she was hardly impartial.

„Didn't you hear him? We're dining on free crispy chicken forever!“ Heathcliff victoriously smiled.

Meanwhile, Rodion put on her interrogator hat on. „It doesn't have limited use, right? It's actually free chickens forever, right? Yeah? Takeout counts too?“ Immediately after finishing that question, however, her mind wandered away from the topic altogether. „Hah, this takes me back to older days. Wonder if anyone remembers it~ Y'know, HamHamPangPang's freshly fried chicken that was totes delish.“

Heathcliff pointed at Rodion with a drumstick in agreement. „I sure do. I'd have a cheeky one with the lads whenever our Syndicate earned a proper lump of dosh.“

„Ugh, Ms. Faust, can you have them cut the crap already? Shouldn't there be some company clause against fried chicken requests?“ Ishmael begged, but to no avail. The course was already plotted out before we left the bus.

She spent some time within her own head before replying. To Samjo, not Ishmael. „Alright, we will take your request.“

Ishmael´s eyes were so wide I was getting worried they would pop out of her skull. „Excuse me?! I'm sorry, Faust... but did you... go out of your mind for a second there?“

„Yeesh, Ishmael, no need to be so biting there…“ Gregor said, helping nothing at all. But at least he tried.

„It's hard to say. Faust's mind tends to be out there most of the time.“

„Hahah! Guess we're all right and chummy for once, eh?“ Heathcliff exclaimed, still thinking in terms of the chicken voucher quest.

„Faust... Are you serious? You're taking a request over free chicken?“ Dante asked. I couldn´t tell if they were annoyed or just confused.

„To be more precise... this is to resolve a case of the 'Distortion Phenomenon', Dante.“

„Distortion Phenomenon?“

I felt several heads turn to me.

„You assume that I have knowledge on this, correct?“

„Don´t you?“ Sinclair asked, perplexed.

I shook my head with a smile. „Don´t be so gullible. Of course I do. Faust, do you want to fill the rest of the group about the general summary or shall I?“

„Faust will handle the summary. The term is most probably unclear to most. Although it has been occurring all around the City, no official announcement of the phenomenon has been made to the general public.“

„Oh…“ Hong Lu cocked his head slightly.

„To my knowledge, it is a phenomenon where an individual morphs into a form often unfit to be considered "human". It has no known causes, and the appearances were all different.“ Meursault stated.

„Technically, you´re wrong. The cause is known, but the precise reason is different for each individual, so it seems like there is no common cause.“ I spoke in an even tone. „In a way, distortion is not much different from E.G.O. corrosion. Usually it occurs due to some kind of fracture in mental stability: personal trauma, prolonged intense stress or, in some cases, specific external influences. Though, unlike E.G.O. corrosion, the changes caused by distortion have a bit more staying power.“

When I finished the Sinners and Dante were staring at me. Faust was also slightly frowning.

„Faust was not finished.“

„Eh… Sorry. It is a particular topic that always held my interest.“ I smiled apologetically.

„Our company has the LCD, a department housing consultant Fixers dedicated to matters regarding the Distortions. Though its size is small, it nevertheless signifies the company's interest in the phenomenon.“

„Where else do you think would I get the information on distortions, Faust?“ I laughed. „Though, there are secondary sources I suppose.“

„So the owner of Eunbong's... has... turned into one of those Distortion things?“ Dante asked.

I nodded, as Faust delivered the explanation in her own right. „That's correct. One does not simply gain the ability to lead an army of raw chickens by losing their mind.“

„I see…“ Dante nodded along.

Ishmael sighed with relief. „So that's what it's about? Phew... I almost got worried that I might have to knock some sense back into you, Faust.“

„We must act before this commotion results in any casualty. Ñam-ñam…“ Don exclaimed, scarfing down the last of the piece of chicken.

Rodion pulled out a handkerchief as she walked up to Don. „Oh? You got sauce on your face, chiquita!“ She wiped her face clean.

I turned my eyes to Samjo and angrily shoved the empty bucket into his hands. I made sure to glare at him some more.

„I’ll take that as a yes, and will be waiting for your contact.“ He said before walking away.

Chapter Text

When Samjo finally left, the atmosphere got much more breathable.

„What are we supposed to do to resolve a Distortion?“ Dante asked. Faust was all too keen to provide the necessary information.

„It´s simple. What we will do is open up the heart of the Distorted. Disarm their mind's guard and coax them into opening up.“

„Okay.“ Dante nodded, then immediately turned to me. „Alighiero, how are we supposed to do that?“

It was going to be a long day.

„We cook.“

„Cook?“

„Yes. But we need to first head inside Eunbong´s. That´s where the distorted owner will be.“ I added. I was already dreading having to keep several spirited people away from the stoves. Especially Don Quixote.

„Ah, okay – you heard them, guys, let´s go.“ Dante commanded in a tone that hardly inspired leadership.

Inside of the restaurant was as filthy as one could imagine: dirty dishes piled in the sinks, grime on just about every surface and various cooking utensils strewn around. Of course, there were more of those chicken monsters.

„Euh... Raw poultry is walking around. That can't be hygienic…“ Sinclair shuddered, watching them walk about on their two pairs of plucked wings that served as feet.

„Dante-“

„I see them. They look like the things that were on those people's heads earlier.“ They quickly took out their tablet, briefly glancing at the chickens as they picked the Sinner identities. „Alright, time to deal with those fowl beasts.“

„Kieeh!“

Just as Dante finished the sentence a chicken was jumping at me, aiming straight for my head. In the whirl of action I took up the nearest object – which turned out to be a cast-iron frying pan – and batted the chicken away with a yell… right into Heathcliff´s face, where the chicken assumed its place.

„Heathcliff?!?!“ Sinclair fearfully exclaimed. While the others had their hands full clashing up the rest of chickens, Heathcliff just stood there, unmoving. I walked up to him with caution, as he seemed like he wasn´t there and neither was the chicken on his head.

„Nice shot, Alighiero.“ Ishmael patted my shoulder. „I think I like Heathcliff better this way. He actually seems intelligent now.“ She laughed.

„Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but that´s not gonna fly.“ I snort-laughed at my own joke. It was probably the first honest laugh I´ve had since becoming part of the strange world around me. „But seriously, someone´s gotta pull that chicken off of Heathcliff´s head.“ I added, still laughing a little.

„Mister Heathcliff! Are you alright in there?“ Sinclair hurriedly asked Heathcliff among mine and Ishmael´s jokes.

„Ghii... Ghii…“

The chicken on Heathcliff´s head began to talk to the other surrounding chickens.

„Ghii... Cooh…“

„Bubawkgi! Bubawkgicludoo. Buhbawkgigi!“

„Bubawgi... Doodlegidoo... Buhbawk…“

„Fuhu, Heathcliff's become quite the chatterbox.“ Hong Lu pointed out, joining in on making fun of chicken-headed Heathcliff.

„It appears that the chicken sitting on his face is using his mouth to communicate, rather than Heathcliff himself.“ Faust commented, observing the cluckings of the jury.

Don Quixote, meanwhile was lamenting loss of Heathcliff who actually was capable of being a Heathcliff. „Sniff... I cannot leave Sir Heathcliff in these straits... I had wished to cosplay with him as two "Fixers del Atardecer Ardiente" someday... We would only be subject to mockery if he were to engage in mummery with that chickened head…“

„Ghiii... Ghiii...“

As Heathcliff started clucking yet again, Outis angrily stepped towards him and took hold of the chicken head. „I can't stand his clucking anymore. I'll bring him back to his senses sharply.“

She began slapping the chicken. The slaps were hard enough that I could believe that a thousand of them could sufficiently cook it.

„Kwi... Giidoough…“

„...The sound of the impacts was comparable to when she was interrogating a captive enemy.“ Meursault commented, looking to me. I kept quiet, only shrugging my shoulders.

Outis was getting fed up as she slapped the chicken. „I don't see him ever recovering on his own. This leaves us no choice. I will remove the chicken head as a whole.“

„Is it really okay to yank it off like that? You might peel his face right off with it!“ Rodya exclaimed.

„Should be fine. It´s not a facehugger at least.“ I commented.

„W-what´s a facehugger?“ Sinclair sheepishly asked.

„A monster from a movie.“ I sighed, rubbing my eyes. „Don´t worry, they are not real.“

At last, the chicken came off Heathcliff´s head with a tearing sound.

„Kuff... Kaff... Gehg…“ He coughed, thoroughly confused about the whole ordeal.

Outis immediately asked him with scrutiny: „Back with us soldier?“

After coughing up some more, a few pieces of vegetable stuffing shot out.

„Urgh... What's with this barmy soup in my mouth…“

Seeing that he was back to his usual, Heathcliff self, Rodya immediately launched into questioning. „Heath... You were having some serious discussion with those chickens, clucking weird stuff. Remember?“

Heathcliff thought about the question for a short while before answering.

„Huh, now that you say it... I think I did hear some gabbing in my head… W-What were they on about... some sort of recipe got lost, I guess… Was the cornerstone of this eatery, but once it was gone...“ Heathcliff pointed to the distorted owner. „He stopped getting customers... That's when the master started acting off... and infected us all…“ He finished.

„Pft... Did you just say those chickens were "us"?“ Rodion laughed uncomfortably, probably worrying that Heathcliff would be forever stuck with a part-chicken brain.

„...Bugger, I'm still recovering from those headhens... This is confusing...“

I could hear Dante´s gears spinning as they started to piece together the story. „I see now... the Distortion happened because he lost his recipe, and the solution here is to somehow recreate it for him.“

Faust answered when Dante has barely finished their thought. „As Alighiero has already stated, the Distortion is a phenomenon that arises from deeply personal psychological shock. The affected will have walled off their heart with a solid defense, which has to be brought down using methods that the Distorted would approve.“ She looked to me as she finished, expecting an answer, or rather a confirmation of her unspoken assumption.

„And in this case, the Distortion would most likely want... chicken-based cooking, right?“ Gregor thought out loud.

I nodded, getting ready to wrangle the Sinners before they started splitting into teams – more importantly, before certain Sinners got access to the stovetops an created abominations that could not and would not ever qualify as food.

Gregor was however a bit quicker than my train of thought. „I cooked up a good few meals using leftovers and cans for my comrades in arms during the war. Those traumatized soldiers were moved to tears by my dishes as they gobbled up the stuff.“

„Hmph.“ Ryoshu angrily stepped in front of him, barring him from kitchen with her body.

„...Hey now, is it just me... or did I hear somebody scoff at that?“ Gregor stare daggers into Ryoshu´s eyes. He had to lift his head a little, being vertically challenged himself.

„How droll. What does a C.F. know about cooking? You'd be better off flipping hamburger patties with your pincer.“ Ryoshu said, confident as ever.

I could not allow such travesty to continue. I valued my sense of taste and smell, of which both would come under attack if those two started their own iteration of the Great British Bake-Off.

They weren´t even British.

„Hold your horses you two… please.“ I stepped between them, pushing them aside. The tension was almost in material form as Ryoshu was doing her best not to immediately behead me. „Neither of you can cook anything even remotely resembling food.“

„Hey!“ Gregor exclaimed with a scowl. I felt Ryoshu´s murderous stare on the back of my neck as I turned to Gregor to first address him.

„Do NOT cut me off while I am holding a frying pan, Gregor. Though it may come at the price of great discomfort later, I am not afraid to use it on your head if it means we can get through this annoying day faster.“ I said, pointing the pan threateningly at his face. He seemed to have decided to not pick fights, as he backed down fairly easily.

Unlike Gregor, Ryoshu was already walking up to a stove with a struggling chicken monster in hand.

„Ryoshu, I can´t really stop you from cooking, but just know that your dish will not be appreciated by anyone here.“ I called after her as I scratched the back of my head.

„So, who should be cooking, then?“ Dante asked me, full of expectation.

I thought about it for a while and then replied.

„Everyone.“ I said, knowing full well, I would get a fair share of very confused looks. „Not individually though. Every one of us here has specific strengths that can be utilized in making this nebulous perfect chicken… at least that´s my view of things.“

„Didn´t you just say that neither me nor Ryoshu can cook?“ Gregor cocked his head to a side. Ryoshu seemed to have been listening as she gave up on her dish and threw the whole pan behind her, splattering its contents on the wall and making it look like a Warhol original.

„L. I. N. T.“ She said as she walked back over to the group, leaning back against the counter.

I glanced at Sinclair, just in case she was saying my funeral rites. „Listening intently now… toots? I don´t know what „toots“ means, but I think that´s it.“ Ryoshu nodded once in confirmation.

„Alright by me.“ I stretched my back and looked around. „What I mean to say is, everyone here can contribute, we´ve just got to be smart about who does what. If I recall correctly, Heathcliff, you´re good with peeling potatoes, right?“

„Right on! I´ve been cleanin´ up so many spuds in the kitchen I´ve basically perfected it.“ He beamed proudly.

I nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Don. „Alright. Don, you will also be in charge of potatoes, specifically making them into shapes. Any shape will do, just pick one and keep them the same size, got it?“

„I shall carve them into stars.“ Don´s eyes sure twinkled just lke stars. It made me smile even in my unideal state.

„Perfect.“ Then I turned to a trio that stood aside, chatting. „Hong Lu, Rodion and Sinclair, you´ll be the taste testers. We need a wide range of preferences and you guys cover that pretty neatly…. Just make sure to leave some for our distorted pal over there.“

They cheered loudly as I moved onto Outis and Ishmael.

„Outis, Ishmael you two people with the highest standards by far, so you´ll be in charge of gathering and inspecting ingredients. This place is pretty run down so finding food items that have not gone bad, whether it´s vegetables or seasonings might be a challenge. I´m counting on you.“

Outis smirked at the praise, while Ishmael just rolled her eyes at her and headed for the fridge. I turned to Dante who seemed a little lost, but ultimately glad that the argument between Ryoshu and Gregor was settled quickly and without anyone losing their head.

„Dante, you´ll be of course be the preliminary dish inspector before the final judging.“

Dante nodded. „Seems about right. It´s too bad I can´t really contribute much else.“

At last I turned to Meursault and Faust. „Meursault, Faust you´ve got the technique, I´ve got the instructions. Is everything clear?“

I heard someone clear throat behind me. Yi Sang, his eyes underlines with eyebags. My heart sank. I couldn´t believe I forgot about him, let alone right before it was his turn.

„I uhm…“ I turned to him, sudddenly twice as tired. „I mean, you could-“

„I am fine with simply standing by if there is not a position for me to take over.“ I saw his eyes glance over a pile of moldy bread in the trash. I shook my head and tugged him to Dante´s side.

„No mold for you, Yi Sang. Not on my watch.“ I said to him before walking up to Meursault and Faust to dole out the instructions to prepare the chicken and potatoes. The end result turned out unsurprisingly to be a slightly strange, but ultimately pleasant looking dish with crispy chicken breast laid on a bed of lettuce surrounded by twelve star-shaped french-fried pieces of potato. There was enough leftovers to feed everyone later, but Papa Bongy took precedence.

„Gagaga…… gigigigi…“

Distorted owner spoke in sounds that could not be understood by most. Unfortunately, that was the price of morphing into chicken with teeth in its beak.

Faust frowned. „The Distortion's language is difficult to parse. It will take me at least 70 hours to decipher it based on the speech pattern and cadence.“

„That long? We can't be frying and eating chickens for all that time!“ Sinclair lamented.

I rolled my eyes knowingly, bringing a serving to Yi Sang who sulked in the corner. „Hey, I saved you some.“

„You needn´t to-“

„I didn´t ask. I saw you eye the chicken as Meursault pulled it out of the oil. Eat.“ I smiled at him, pushing the plate and silverware into his hands. I didn´t tell Yi Sang that there was one portion less than to feed all of us a proper lunch.

Luckily, Dante was among those who could understand Distortions. „Wait! I think I can hear his voice in my head.“

„Hmm, how curious. This could be due to the influence of the Golden Boughs we've collected resonating with Manager Dante's head.“ She stroked her chin as she momentarily fell into deep thought.

„Gogogoooo… gigigugu...gaaa.“

„Oh. He says that it tastes bland, not outstanding enough to be anything other than a home-cooked dish-“

Outis let out an offended gasp. „Impossible, I´ve personally seasoned each part to the precise degree of heat.“

„Aaaaaah… gagaga…gigi………...“

„-but the sweetness of… comradery?….reminds him of…“ Dante paused. The environment around us changed to a much brighter, cleaner restaurant.

„I'm having visions I've never seen before!“

„I think we´re all having them.“ I told Dante as I was looking around. „Fathoms of ego, if I´m not mistaken?“ I added, looking at Faust.

„Yes. These might be recollections that the owner of the restaurant had partially lost due to shock.“ Faust nodded, quite satisfied that there were things I wasn´t totally sure about.

„Phew... I've finally found it. I though he'd keep his top-secret recipe locked up tight and away, but he was using it as a trivet to eat ramen...!“

The Bodhisattva´s manager´s eyes gleamed as he held the secret chicken recipe in his hands.

„I—Is that my restaurant's recipe? How did you get your hands on it?“ The Eunbong´s owner came into vision. He looked just as buff as his chicken counterpart. He could probably fold the other man in half if he wanted to.

We could only helplessly watch the memory of Eunbong´s owner as his memory of the recipe for his fried chicken faded, thrown into the concept incinerator by his rival. Concept incinerator, that fatal, destructive invention capable of erasing practically anything from existence… the ultimate plot hole maker. But who knew, maybe its limitation simply weren´t properly explained since it wasn´t like Sinners would know about them.

At least that was what I chose believe.

„I never liked that pest. Knew he was rotten from all the N.S.O.P. signs plastered over his walls.“ Ryoshu angrily smoked a cigarette in the direction of memory version of Bodhisattva´s manager.

„If it was put in the concept incinerator... That recipe is as good as gone…“ Ishmael hung her head.

„What's a concept incinerator ab – “ Gregor opened his mouth, but halfway through changed his mind. „...Nevermind, Ishmael. Your face tells me I don't wanna ask about it.“

„Pardon?“ She raised an eyebrow at Gregor.

Surprisingly, or rather unsurprisingly, Yi Sang answered the question instead. „The concept incinerator... It is a trusted method of permanently erasing a technology. For instance... It has the ability to make it as if Miss Faust never invented Mephistopheles.“ He said, in the same flat tone as all his responses embodied.

„Does it turn things back in time?“

„No, not quite. It simply... is oblivionized, as though the brain had never conceived it. Any documentation, photography, the tiniest bits and parts of its composition, and even Miss Faust's own memories will be dimmed and obliterated.“

„The effectiveness and range of the incineration will depend on the price of the product.“

„It's true...! I can't remember if the marinade was based on pepper or soy sauce... How much sugar or salt I should put... Nothing's left in my head! Hone of my customers can remember how it tasted! There's no use in trying at this point...! It's all useless... “ Eunbong´s owner lamented.

I wanted to protest. To say something uplifting and nice...

„Hmph, you're soft-hearted. Eunbong's? You should do away with that tacky name and give your restaurant a better title.“

I forgot Outis was still there. Letting out an annoyed sigh I facepalmed. „Great going Outis…“

„Eunbong is my mother's name…“ The owner explained, growing exponentially more angry.

„...I suppose tacky can also mean a friendly warmth.“ She tried to save her response, but to no avail. „The problem is still your weak will!“ She added.

„Just... Why are you so eager to start fights…“ Dante asked, equally as tire it seemed.

„Come! I will fix that helpless attitude of yours!“ She raise her gunblade at Papa Bongy before running at him.

The fight commensed, and we were soon surrounded by headhens as Heathcliff called them. I was very glad I have picked up and held onto that frying pan. It wasn´t the heaviest pan I´ve seen around, but it was heavy enough to send the chickens flying. Whack after whack they were sent back to the gravy basket from whence they came.

At last, the owner knelt down, defeated.

„...Running this chicken joint, I had forgotten something important. That's right, the chicken I wanted to cook... was something that even my mother could enjoy.“ The owner sifted through his memories, bit by bit. „Something to please her extremely particular palate... no, wait…“ The memory morphed again. „I knew it all along. The real reason momma wouldn't eat chicken... is because we couldn't afford to feed the whole family.“

I hazily remembered the plate I pushed into Yi Sang´s hands. I could not believe I accidentally lucked into that one. I have practically forgotten the exact events of the Intervallo and it showed. Maybe it wouldn´t hurt to have a peek at the future on the bus, I thought.

„It's why... we always had a stash of coupons at home... Ten of them could be exchanged for a free chicken... My mother would keep collecting them for me... You did all that to feed me a chicken you wouldn't eat…“

The environment changed again, showing the visions of the coupons. Only, they weren´t coupons for chicken… they were coupons for pizza.

„Hm? Oh. These are pizza coupons.“ He said in confusion.

„Son, your momma... She liked... pizza better... " A disembodied voice repeated. It sounded a whole lot like Outis.

„Agh... My head…“ The owner of Eunbong´s returned to his human form.

„He's gone back to normal“ Dante exclaimed and I let out a sigh of relief.

„I can't thank you enough. I think I'm ready to start anew.“ He smiled at us amicably. I was just glad he had no more tooth-clad beak. Or googly chicken eyes.

„It wasn't the recipe I needed... As long as I remember to cook from the heart for those I care about... even if it comes in the shape... of a pizza... I know my customers will still appreciate their earnest servings.“

The heartwarming ending of course didn´t hold for long.

„Oi, your rival promised us a lifetime vouch for free chicken. What do you have?“ Heathcliff asked, all too eager to collect his due. He was joined by Rodion.

„I... thought I'd be stuffing my face with drumsticks of countless flavors by now…“ She whined.

„….It's nothing much, but please take this.“ He turned around an rummaged through a pile of things on a high shelf until he pulled out a dusty old box and handed it to us. „It's an invaluable treasure of mine, there's nothing else like it.“

I couldn´t hide a tired smile as I took it from him. Not when I knew what was inside.

„Could we accept such a rarity from thee?!“ Don asked, her mouth so wide her jaw was practically brushing the floor.

„I wouldn't have been able to reopen my restaurant without your help... So I insist, please take it as your reward.“

The owner bid us a merry goodbye. Naturally, I was as happy as I could be. I could clock out early and maybe took a nap in the crowded bus. Next to Outis who was at least somewhat tolerating my presence.

So I did just that, with the unopened box resting in my lap. Or rather, I put in my best effort, because, Don was busy recounting the entire event to Vergilius.

„..And thus, we had resolved the Distortion and claimed our spoils!“

As one could expect, Vergilius was not listening at all. Only he conveniently forgot to tell Don Quixote that.

„Pray tell, pray tell! Are you perhaps speechless with astonishment at the glory of our tale?!“

„"We then embarked to Eunbong's" was where I tuned out.“ He sai at last in disinterested voice „Why should I bother listening to your embellished drivel when Faust's report will fill me in on all the details I need?“

Don let out a squeal of offense and then pouted at Vergilius who continued to ignore her.

„C'mon now, Donqui. Forget about this sourpuss and gather 'round so we can open the box. Heeheehee. I wonder what's inside.“

With a knowing smirk, I pulled out the stuffie in the shape of the very chickens we spent the entire day fighting and cooking. „Surpriiiiise!“ I snorted, looking at everyone´s annoyed faces.

„You´ve gotta be kidding me.“ Heathcliff grumbled. „Let's toss that thing in that concinerator thing.“

Charon walked up to me, taking the plush. „Charon likes this passenger.“

„What's there to like about—“

Charon turned to Heathcliff, snuggling the plush to her chest. „It's got eyes and nothing else. It's nice.“

Vergilius looked over at us only briefly. „...Alright. That's that, then. Keep the doll.“

The rest of the day did pass objectively calmly. Dante was making some notes in their tablet, Sinners were chatting with each other and I was free to nap as we drove on. When at last Outis nudged me and said something about the business of the day being over, I was confused at first.

Then tense.

I followed with the rest of the Sinners to our respective rooms. I thought that a shower would help matters, but hours later, I laid on back staring at the grey ceiling, exhausted but wide awake. My stomach grumbled, demanding anything to fill it.

I completely forgot I relinquished my meal at Eunbong´s, as there wasn´t much to eat on the bus but couple of slices of stale bread that already laid in my stomach. Glancing at the time, I could tell it was late at night.

Against the many protests of my tired, sleepless body, I slowly crept towards the door, opening them just as slowly as I did in my nightmare. The corridor was nowhere near that silent, however, because Heathcliff´s room was having a particularly stormy night and so was Ishmael´s, as if th two were in some weird competition.

Looking down the corridor, I spied a thin sliver of weak light coming from behind the kitchen door.

I made my way into the kitchen, fully prepared to lie that I just got thirsty. I ran into Yi Sang who had just opened the door, freezing in place. He was also in his pajamas.

„Why are you awake, Alighiero?“

„I could ask you the same thing. But I guess the eyebags under our eyes say plenty. For both of us.“ I smiled weakly.

He stepped aside, opening the door for me, beckoning me inside the dimly lit kitchen. There was a kind of sweet herbal smell in the air that I couldn´t quite place. It was pleasant.

„Midnight tea party?“ I asked, drawing water into a glass and drinking the cool liquid.

„Something of the kind.“ Yi Sang replied solemnly, walking over to the small table where the source of the smell sat – a small cup of steaming tea of an unknown sort. „This blend has been recommended to me by Miss Faust back when I…“ He paused, then looked towards me.

„You are aware of what occurred when I joined the Company, aren´t you?“

I nodded. „Yes. And I assume you reached for the tea because you are aware that your turn nears.“

„That is correct. I am aware that it is my turn.“ He looked aside for a moment, then towards the cup between us, just before he pushed it towards me. „But I have not made the tea for that reason.“

My confusion must´ve been very visible because he continued.

„I am naturally more nocturnally inclined than the rest of the Sinners. You, however…“ He looked at me, not with judgement or pity, only simple understanding. „...are in a period of adjustment. The tea will help.“

I barely noticed when he left the kitchen, leaving me alone... feeling anything but lonely.

Chapter Text

        wings                                                                              
                                     wings
                                                                                             wings
 wings                                   
                                After                      a long                                   wings
                                  slumber    I    woke up
                                         once      more.
            wings                      As    I    did,                              wings                                                                        
                                   there     they      were.
                                All around       me, in every 
                                   possible        direction.    
     wings
                                                            wings                         wings

                                                                             wings

                     wings

   White and black, black and white, each fluttering in the soft wind.

                                      As they should.

Chapter Text

Yi Sang wasn´t wrong – the tea did do what he said it would. After I finished it, I felt calm and pleasantly drowsy. So much so that on the way back to my room I almost opened the wrong door. The tea must´ve been quite potent because I barely remembered falling onto the bed before falling asleep. However, waking up in bed instead of on the ground was enough to prove it. In the end, there was nothing to complain about.

I stretched as I entered the corridor and headed towards the kitchen. The nightmares have not found me that night and it must´v showed because I wasn´t getting any worried or terrified looks that morning. As I poured myself a cup of coffee, adding both sugar and a splash of milk, I realized that the kitchen was empty. I panicked for just split second before I realized that I must´ve overslept. There was hardly any coffee left in the pot, too.

„I see that Yi Sang has passed on the calming tea.“ Faust commented as she brewed herself a cup of black tea, methodically measuring the tea leaves and setting an electric kettle to boil.

„He did.“ I smiled to myself. Of course the idea was Faust´s. How could I ever have thought that it was a coincidence that Yi Sang was awake that night, waiting in the dimly lit kitchen with a cup of hot tea. No, it was an intervention to keep me in the tip-top shape so that Dante could do Dante stuff without enduring fatigue transfer... or something. Of course, I mentioned none of that to Faust. It was redundant to tell Faust her own plan.

„I advise you don´t partake in that particular tea too often – only in most dire of situations.“ She said, pouring hot liquid over dry leaves. „If you are ever unsure whether the circumstances necessitate its use, it is best you consult Faust on the matter.“

I wondered just what could be part of the tea that would make it a controlled substance, but I decided that I didn´t really want to know. Considering the setting of the City, it could´ve been all manner of things including souls of the innocent or the very essence of a pleasant dreamless sleep freshly squeezed from stillborn´s cranium. Whatever it was, I knew better than to take Faust´s warning lightly.

„Sure.“ I said, brushing away the uncomfortable possibilities.

We drank our respective beverages in silence. Though Faust´s tea was still scorching hot, she drank it quite a bit faster than I did my cup of coffee. It was still little unnerving to watch, knowing that she was technically a fictional character.

„The rest of the bus´ inhabitants are currently in their seats.“ She said, washing the cup right away and setting it on dry rack. „Several of them have voiced their desires to find out what we will contend with going forward.“

I gulped down the rest of my coffee before cleaning off the cup, too. Following Faust out of the kitchen I could hear Hong Lu talking with Rodion about hair brushing regimen. They quieted as soon as I was within hearing distance.

„Morning, sleepyhead.“ Rodion playfully greeted me. Couple heads turned around with smiles and waves, too, but most just kept looking ahead. I found it a little disconcerting.

„Hey, next time just knock on the door if I´m taking forever to wake up.“ I laughed briefly.

„That was precisely what I suggested to them.“ Outis rolled her eyes. „But Manager was adamant on letting you rest for as long as was permissible.“

I was taken slightly aback. „Oh. Was my lack of sleep affecting you, Dante?“ They only shook their head in response, flames whipping around the metal case.

„No, I just thought that you could use the extra rest. You may have had previous experience with the way things work here, but I can imagine that actually living here is… not easy or pleasant.“

More coddling. As much as I appreciated that my feelings and experiences were taken into account, I silently wished I wasn´t babied like that.

„Thanks, Dante.“ I replied kindly. Though some of the more observant Sinners may have noticed that it wasn´t entirely sincere, I could not care less. „Is it fair to assume that Vergilius already said something about the next destination?“

„Yeah, something-something K Corp. Client guy offered up a Golden Bough in an exchange for some mission. Sounds simple enough on paper.“ Gregor shrugged. „Then again, when has anything been simple for us?“

„Never.“ I nodded.

I sat down in my seat as I heard the bus engine wake up. Dante wasn´t finished, however.

„We were hoping you could shed a little light on what will happen. Not gonna lie, I would appreciate knowing what we´re walking into for once.“ Dante said, probably thinking over all the things that have gone wrong in the past.

„That works out for me pretty well...“ I began, turning to ante in my seat. „...because I have concerns of my own with this particular mission.“

„Concerns? Do things get that bad?“ Sinclair worried.

I shook my head. „No, that´s not what I meant. There´s a lot of fighting. In the game version of your story, this part is notorious for dragging on and on. Even after the developers shortened many of the combat stages, it´s still long.“

„I don´t see a problem with some more fightin´.” Heathcliff shrugged. „We just beat ´em harder than they beat us, where´s the problem?”

I looked at Heathcliff with as much patience as I was able to pull together. Luckily, Ishmael caught on and was more than happy to act as his own personal braincell. „They mean that getting hurt on our end is going to be unavoidable.“

„Yeah, that´s what the Clockhead´s for, what´ the-“

If glares could kill, Heathcliff would be dead where he sat. Ishmael gripped her harpoon tight.

„It means that Alighiero will have to go through all that with them. Meaning that everyone around will see someone without as little as a scratch on them, writhing in pain. Next to Dante who will not be doing any better.“ She was speaking faster than usual. „One person in that state might be explainable, but two is another thing. Especially when Alighiero doesn´t have any kind of prosthetic that could explain their bondage to us.“

„It is a valid information security concern.“ Faust nodded. „However, such things will be unavoidable going forward. I´ve spoken to the higher management in regards to a similar question and I was assured that should any uncertainties arise due to Alighiero´s involvement, the Company will smooth things over for us.“

I was glad that although Faust didn´t seem to see right through me, she figured what kinds of things may have been bothering me. Maybe having a genius on your good side wasn´t such an annoying thing. Though the mind wipe was one of my bigger concerns, it was a lesser one, knowing that Faust and the Company were not keen on gambling with certain uncertainties.

As I went to look through the story passages in the Limbus app the day prior, not long after I first retired to my assigned room, I came to see that none of those that were ahead of the current timeline would open. Instead they caused the whole application to crash, every single time. I even thought of searching up the transcripts, the memes, the videos, anything, yet none of them would load the information I sought. The outcome was obvious – in order to guide Dante and the others I would need to depend solely on my own memory. It made it all the more important that there was absolutely no chance of alteration from K Corp, no matter the immediate coat.

Besides, I knew that Dante and the Sinners would be perfectly capable of handling the situation on their own, so there wasn´t really any reason for me to insert myself into the narrative. It would however ultimately mean that people would die. People like Shrenne and Ran, fighting for their cause, and people like Samjo, all too devoted to his idol, Dongrang. And people like Dongbaek and Dongrang, driven to abandon their humanity. All of them destined to die.

Their blood was on my hands long before it was even spilled. I could not ever hope to save them all, not Ran or Shrenne, or Dongbaek or Dongrang. But then there was Samjo.

Utterly annoying, self-assured and unflappably loyal. Was there a chance that his mind could be swayed after seeing Dongrang drive Dongbaek to destroy herself? If only someone had prevented him from jumping into the vat of tears, maybe there was a chance that he would open his eyes and realize the truth.

„Given these constraints, Faust thinks that perhaps it would be best if Alighiero stayed behind for this mission.“ Faust said slowly, looking at me and then at Dante. „It is ultimately your decision as their manager, though.“

I made my own decision that morning. And that morning I served it to everyone, wrapped up and tied with the gift bow of duty and necessity, before Dante could speak.

„It would be easy for me to just stay on the sidelines and feel your every struggle, bearing all the deaths Dante endures in your stead. That´s what someone smart would do, right?“

„ ….…“ Faust was silently watching me.

„Don´t mistake me for someone smart. The only real difference between my and Heathcliff´s way of dealing with problems is that I make a plan before rushing into battle. The only reason why I don´t actually fight is because I don´t have anything to fight with aside from what I know.“

„Good thing to know that you are not a coward. I could not stand sitting next to someone like that.“ Outis grinned proudly, as if it was her direct influence that shaped my stance. I found it just a little unnerving how quickly she warmed up to me. Then again, I could never be sure of what Outis really thought.

Suddenly, all of us were jostled forwards as the bus came to a screeching halt.

„Verg, the road is blocked. Should I go around it?“ Charon calmly spoke.

„…..“ Vergilius only let out a rumbling hum as he stood up from his seat and looked on, assessing the situation.

„Blocked? That´s strange. We´re in the middle of K Corp´s Nest, it´s unlikely that there´s a sce-“

As if on cue, Ishmael´s comment was punctuated by a human body, slamming into the front window, before bouncing off and falling to the ground.

„Something just got flunged at the bus and boinked off…. It was a person, wasn´t it?“ Rodion asked.

„A male individual in his early 40s. There seemed to be a serious injury to his occipital region. He died before the impact.“ Meursault answered in an indifferent tone.

„Yeah, sure doesn´t seem like the usual scuffle. Pitstop. If it´s a problem you can deal with, come back after you´re done.“

Rodion nudged me after that comment as we began standing up. „Is it something we can deal with?“

„Yeah. Just a bit annoying. But smacking things until they aren´t a problem anymore will work well enough.“ I assured her, knowing full well that the raging bull was going to be kind of a pain in the ass.

„Oh, that´s reassuring.“ Rodion smiled before assuming a serious expression. „Off the bus.“ She said, imitating Vergilius who could only tiredly stare in he general direction. „What? Weren´t you about to say the same thing anyways? Saved you the trouble.“ She grinned.

When we stepped off the bus, it was very obvious that the area was thrown into a highly unusual sort of commotion. People were running away from a specific direction, screaming bloody murder.

„As you saw through the bus… we are in the middle of a Nest. A place that should be furthest from unexpected trouble.“

As one could expect, that declaration was immediately refuted by the universe as one of the running civilians bumped into Don Quixote and fell.

„Hufff, huff…. D-don´t go that way!“

Don Quixote puffed up her chest as she helped the K Corp. Resident on their feet. „Come now, you may rest easy! We have galloped hither to save innocent lives such as yours for we are—“

„We are no such things as heroes, so please don’t say anything unnecessary.“ Dante warned Don.

Meanwhile, Heathcliff took it upon himself to raise his bat in the face of the unfortunate person. „Oi, we need to cross here. If you’re here to stop us for nothing, then I’ll give you a taste of this bat.“

„There’s… something ahead… something that shouldn’t be real…“ The resident rambled in a hushed voice.

I looked at Dante who turned to me as well. „Yup, it is an abnormality. In particular a big, angry metal bull. Scorching hot.“ I whispered to them.

„I dunno what it was, I’ve never seen anything like it… Everyone was screaming and running, and then… people rolling on the floor… set on fire…“

„Did the entity you witnessed have a form that does not resemble a human?“ Meursault asked for further confirmation. His unnaturally calm tone seemed to placate the person somewhat.

„Yeah, you’re right. That’s right…!“

We sent the person off on their not-so-merry way before heading towards the very thing people were running away from.

„Do you know why there is an Abnormality in the middle of a Nest, Alighiero?“ Dante asked me. There was an uneasines to that question, as well as the disposition of the others.

„You´re asking the wrong question. The abnormality´s existence is due to L Corp. However, the real question is why is K Corp. not doing anything about it when it is clearly causing a lot of damage?“

„Well, there are some members of K Corp. Staff over there.“ Sinclair pointed at a group of K Corp. Staff just shead, getting totally nuked by the giant bull abnormality.

„Rather than suppressing the Abnormality… they’re just getting completely wrecked.“ Heathcliff grumbled. „Come on, let´s go show ´em how it´s done.“

Just before Heathcliff could rush into the battle however, Outis took hold of his collar.

„What the hell are you doing?! Have that insane brat’s daily ramblings about justice and protecting the weak finally managed to brainwash you? The guide only instructed us to return once the commotion has been dealt with. He never ordered us to deal with it ourselves.“

I could see where Outis was coming from. In a way, I guess I would even prefer that option… if it was a viable option to begin with.

„Didn’t you see what just happened? It almost blew my head off! Who knows what else will happen if it keeps up!“ Heathcliff yelled at Outis as he pointed in the direction fo the rampaging abnormality with his bat. „This’ll be over if we just beat that damn thing down… What else do we got? Parking a seat to keep watching, gobbling some chicken? Huh?!“

„There’s no need to waste our lives on fights unrelated to our missions.“ She spoke firmly and resolutely. „I’m sure you filth didn’t even realize, but here’s the thing - the more you die, the less efficient you become in battle. Simply put, experiencing a certain pain will make you learn to fear and avoid it.“

„Or it will trivialize it as your body grows desensitized to the feeling.“ I added. I didn´t delight anyone with an explanation. The last thing I wanted was more pity.

„Although it will cost much time and many lives… they will eventually suppress it. Just as we do.“ Outis commented as she watched K Corp. Staff die and revive in repetitive fashion, before getting stomped into the ground. She said nothing of my own comment, which felt… a little odd. Like she understood in a sense, which only served to give me the opposite of the peace of mind.

„We should suppress it. I can’t logically explain why, but… I feel like we should.“ Dante eventually decided. I nodded along and stepped aside as the Sinners assumed their identities.

„I’d have crushed that clock and run out there if you gabbled the same rubbish, clockface.“ Heathcliff grinned. He was in his N Corp. Identity. Not exactly the greatest, but Dante was trying to make teams on their own. Though I would prefer them to use curated teams, they were the Manager. In any case, I couldn´t act as their training wheels forever. Not if I wanted to return home.

„What’s that flying machine? It’s been irking me. Got the urge to S.I.D. for the three-thousandth time.“ Ryoshu scoffed at a large K Corp. drone.

„That… is a device called a drone.“ Yi Sang spoke, looking at the drone with vacant eyes.

Ishmael took that information in quite the positive light. „Oh, they might be combat drones K Corp. sent to help us. The Wing seems to be above average in terms of technology.“

„No, viewing its design, it doesn’t appear to be equipped with combat functionalities. It also has a camera at the center.“ Faust commented, her hand tightening around her zweihander.

„Well… I guess it makes sense to get a close look at the mess happening in a well-off Nest.“ Ishmael commented, unsure what to make of it.

„Ohh, will be be featured on the thing called the „news“?“ Don Quixote beamed innocently.

The drones flew around, observing and recording the visuals of burning buildings, dead people and the beast´s rampage.

„Wait, something’s off… Why’re…“ Sinclair trembled uncomfortably. „Why are they only filming corpses and dying people?“

„Well, it’s the provocative stuff that draws more attention, doesn’t it?“ Gregor commented. It reminded me of the way news back home worked: serving only the most eye-catching, horrible things. I always wondered which was worse – people profiting off of another´s suffering or the people who willingly watched the terrible things happen, enabling the ones who got paid in the first place.

„But…“ Sinclair protested, unaware of the drone swooping down at him.

„Hold up, kiddo! In front of you!“

Rodya´s warning came too late as Sinclair was knocked down by the drone. His nose was bleeding. „Kngh… This is… definitely weird…“

„Sinclair!“ Dante called out in worry.

„Look at this thing. Why does it have its camera glued to me…?“

While Sinclair laid on the ground, Ryoshu made a quick move, slashing the drone in half and sending the broken parts flying in the opposite direction. „…I don’t appreciate a soulless audience.“

„There is a considerable number of them. And these drones appear to be deliberately preventing us from entering the area where the Abnormality is.“ Meursault commented, his eyes locked onto numerous machines hovering in the air.

„Greetings, citizens. Please keep ten meters of distance for your own safety. K Corp’s staff has been dispatched. Your safety is assured. Please keep ten meters of distance.“ The drone played its pre-recorded message in a loop. The sound distantly reminded me of the AI in Portal games. I did not like the association in the slightest.

„No, look, your staff is being slaughtered over there, can’t you see?“ Heathcliff argued with the drones who were, very obviously, not there to listen.

„Greetings, citizens. Please keep ten meters of distance for your own safety.“

„Hah, the instructions make no sense. What difference is ten meters going to make in this mess?“ Ishmael frowned.

T he fight broke out as the Sinners were forced to deal with the drones for all of us to be able to move forward. Luckily, the drones were not particularly durable. As soon as the fan motors were slightly damaged, they fell to the ground where they were promptly smashed.

„That’s the last of ‘em… They aren’t gonna make us pay for the damages, are they?“ Rodya worried as she picked up her axe from the remains of a crushed drone.

„I‘ll try to report that it was an act of self-defense.“ Faust said calmly.

As the drones were dealt with, we pressed on, coming to a destroyed street where a giant metal bull was running around, smashing everything in its vicinity. Blue liquid poured from various holes in its body.

„…Something feels strange about this Abnormality. Doesn’t quite feel like the others we’ve fought.“ Dante commented, likely sensing something about it was off. „Besides, what is this… blue fluid dripping from them?“ They turned to me for the answer, but I just shook my head.

„I don´t know.. It wasn´t really… explained. All I know that its referred to as „tearful“.“ I explained. After brief consideration, Faust spoke.

„We have no time to analyze its constituents, so we should be careful not to come in contact with it.“

„Oi! Did these things eat bad food off the floor or what? It’s like they’ve got rabies—“ Heathcliff commented, pointing at the abnormality with his back turned to it...

„Huh? Above you, Mr. Heathcliff!“

...only to get smashed by it from above. Sinclair´s warning came a touch too late.

„All men, prepare for battle!“ Outis commanded, immediately assuming battle stance.

„Figured it would come to this…“ Dante said to me apologetically as they turned the clock back for Heathcliff. Oddly enough, the pain of getting crushed by a bull wasn´t as bad as I thought it would be. I almost managed to keep my breathing steady.

When the bull finally fell, compressing itself into its own little pokeball form, everyone was pretty beat up. Fortunately, only two more deaths occurred, which was better than what I had anticipated from Dante´s identity picks.

Vergilius greeted us with a small smile. „You came back later than expected. I was just about to take my first nap in a while.“

While Faust and Dante (or more precisely, just Faust) talked with Vergilius about what happened, I turned my attention to the other end of the bus.

„You, why do you have your shoulders hunched over like that? You’re short enough as you are, and this shrunken posture makes you practically imperceptible.“ Outis scolded Don Quixote who was quietly sulking in her seat.

„I hoped to meet Lord Siegfried again“ She pouted. „Eager was I to show him… my valiant acts of rescuing imperiled civilians.I vowed that I shall meet him again as a Fixer of noble cause.“

Gregor tried to provide some sort of comfort. „Reunions are more touching if it’s after a long time, Don Quixote. Try thinking that it’s a good thing he didn’t show up today.“

The seemingly innocuous conversation caught Vergilius´ attention, however. „It really is strange, though. He’s not one to miss spectacles with this many spectators around.“ He looked to me and I understood. I pulled out my phone and spoke through the dictaphone.

„Though I am not sure whether knowingly or not, Siegfried was prevented from intervening. Simply put, all that mess happened because K Corp. allowed it to happen.“

Vergilius nodded, potentially reconsidering his opinion on Siegfried, though it was difficult to tell because his face really didn´t hold many expressions.

„Allowed it to happen? Why would they let their own Nest to be destroyed like that?“ Sinclair asked.

I decided it wasn´t a good time to tell him that destruction of Calw was also purposeful sacrifice. „For the same reason each Wing exploits people who live in their District – profit.“ I said with a shrug.“

I decided it was for the best that I left my phone on the bus. Thankfully, Charon must´ve liked my songs because she very quickly took hold of it and opened the album with my favorites. I could´ve sworn I saw Vergilius´ eye twitch, but since we were leaving, there wasn´t the time to ask him about it.

„Are you sure you want to go with us, Alighiero?“ Dante asked me one last time before we stepped into the K Corp. building.

„I am.“ I said resolutely. „If you´re against it, I´ll stay, though. You´re my manager, too.“ I off-handedly pointed to my employee card.

„I know…“ They turned to me, their gears clicking as they turned inside their head. „...but having someone to talk to… someone who understands… feels nice.“

I smiled and nodded as we entered the building, only for that smile to be rendered void as we came to face none other than Samjo.

„Ah, you’re a little late as expected.“ He said, barely looking up from what looked like a work schedule in his hands.

„As expected?“ Dante looked at Samjo, about ready to verbally throw hands. Not that they could do much when they were perceived by outsiders as little more than a walking clock. Outis, too, gritted her teeth and mumbled something under her breath.

„It’s a pleasure to meet you again. I want you to know that this is my heartfelt sentiment and not a formality.“ Samjo said in one breath. His tone completely lacked in any semblance of sincerity.

„…I’m out. Already told ya.“ Heathcliff grumbled in Samjo´s direction. He did attempt to turn around and walk back to the bus, but Dante grabbed his arm.

„Give it a moment! Let’s at least hear what he has to say, okay?“

„Let go! Do you even get how it feels to have nightmares about doing the tango with raw chickens? Huh?“

„If all you have nightmares about is chicken tango, I´ll be happy to trade.“ I nudged Heathcliff with an elbow.

Looking at Samjo as he sighed, I could almost believe that he was feeling sorry. „To tell you the truth, my last request was a test to measure your competence. And you passed with flying colors. Congratulations.“ He said with a small smile. „I mean this one as well.“

„Who are you to test and grade us?! You—“ Heathcliff growled, about ready to jump at Samjo´s throat or pummel him with his fists.

„That’s of course at the discretion of Mr. Samjo, my shrewd secretary. So you must be… from Limbus Company. A pleasure to meet you, I’m Dongrang. I heard a lot about you from Samjo—it almost made me a fan.“

Dongrang wasted no time to start spouting words of praise. Although I knew what a scumbag he really was, there was a part of me that could relate in a strange way.

„Fan??? Didst thou say just now that we have earned thine adoration?“ Don Quixote gasped, her eyes sparkling like twin stars, complementing the wide smile that spanned from ear to ear.

„It’s just flattery, Don Quixote…“Rodion patted Don´s shoulder. Don seemed to have piped down, just a little, but the smile did not leave her face.

„If I’m being quite honest… the test wasn’t my idea. I mean, you aren’t lab hens or anything, and you deserve better than involuntary tests.“ Dongrang said courteously, only to be immediately followed by Samjo´s much wordier explanation.

„Indeed, it was my suggestion. I had reason to do so as your “Limbus Company” is a little-known firm that… could or could not be newly established. We couldn’t take the risk of entrusting an unknown organization with a request on Mr. Dongrang’s word alone.“

„Ahem… So, that means you’re requesting us…“ Ishmael prompted the two researchers to speak further. Much to our collective annoyance, Dongrang was about as unfocused as a little kid in a zoo.

„Why, of course. Because, you all are… Ah, why don’t I show you to my lab? There are many fun things to see.“

The mention of a lab tour, however was enough to placate most of the Sinners who mostly quietly followed Samjo while Dongrang turned to Dante who stood next to me.

„Ah, and you must be the manager… it was Dante, yes? May we speak for a moment?“

„I mean… I don’t mind, but you two can’t hear me anyway.“ They said, mostly out of habit. „Alighiero, would you mind going ahead with the others?“

„Not at all. Fair warning, though, I´d rather listen to Don Quixote list all honorable Fixers of the City than be forced to talk to this guy. Have fun.“ I smiled and walked on, leaving Dante with Dongrang and Samjo. After a short while, the three of them reappeared, with Samjo pushing past the group to lead us along.

„We’re at the laboratory aisle. Ordinary visitors would not be permitted to go any further, but since you’ve been invited by Mr. Dongrang I will show you to the interior.“

„Wow...I hoped I could work at a company as big as this.“ Ishmael sighed in awe, looking at the incredibly clean and futuristic design of the laboratory. To me it looked like a bunch of extra fancy cubicles, though.

„Then, maybe you could’ve applied to one. Why didn’t you give it a shot?“ Rodion asked, looking at Ishmael who blinked in disbelief.

„You’re joking, right? Not everyone can join these companies. This kind of firm only accepts the very best of the elite. Like Faust or Yi Sang, for example.“

Dante turned to Faust. „Yeah, why did you choose to join Limbus Company out of all the options you had? There must’ve been better places to shoot for.“

She simply stated: „Because I am Faust.“

„What about you, Yi Sang?“

Yi Sang looked at Dante with tired eyes, then spoke in his own, slow and detached manner. „Let me take the trouble of asking in return. Manager, why did you join the company you work for?“

„I mean, that’s because I had no other choice.“

„That should sufficiently answer your question.“ Yi Sang replied and turned away.

„Let’s move on to the request—“ Dongrang began, possibly trying to offset the uncomfortable tension. However, we ran into another person, a short woman with short brown hair. It was Shrenne, another one of the researchers at K Corp´s main facility.

„You’re bringing outsiders into the building now… What are you, a field trip guide, Dongrang?“

I couldn´t help but laugh quietly, but on the inside I pitied Shrenne. For all her struggling, her fate was sealed already, as Dongrang knew that she was part of the problem we were hired to solve.

„Ah. Pardon me for a moment. This is Shrenne. She’s the manager of the department next to mine and a colleague who joined the company at the same time as I did. Visiting me to hurl hurtful words takes up much of her daily routine.“ He said nonchalantly.

„I figured someone’s got to point out the massive drain on our company's welfare budget that is your team.“ She said, her words dripping with barely hidden malice.

„Ah, if you’re wondering about how we spend our welfare budget… You’ll see when the Department of the Year trophy is awarded. Right, Samjo?“

„It would take a full day to list the benefits the department chosen as the best receives.“ Samjo nodded.

„Eugh, you’re snobs, both of you.“ Shrenne scoffed.

„Hm. Is that a rival? I do suppose excellence is followed by envy wherever it is.“ Gregor commented, blissfully unaware. In that moment I envied his position. Even though his story wasn´t very happy, at least he didn´t have to wrestle with the existential dread of being the judge, jury and executioner of prety much everyone who happened to be in the general vicinity.

„Envy fuels advancement, as they say, so it’s only right for us to show a little generosity for those following behind. Should we give some of the pies we bought from that store to Shrenne’s department, Mr. Samjo?“

„I was planning to do so. The pepper, chili, lettuce, and curry-flavored ones, specifically.“

„Haha… Now then, let’s get back to the main topic. I heard the rumors. They were about a newly formed company collecting organic objects called “Golden Boughs”. And those Golden Boughs are found exclusively inside the closed-down branch facilities of Lobotomy Corp.“

At the mention og the Golden Boughs, everyone tensed up significantly. Faust came forth with the question. „How did you learn about the existence of Golden Boughs?“

„It was a recent discovery. We’d been using a Lobotomy Corp. branch near our research facility as a lab until a few months ago.“

„You set a lab in that horrible place? What are you nuts?!“ Heathcliff exclaimed apprehensively.

„…Did the scope of your research include Abnormalities?“ Faust questioned further, ignoring Heathcliff altogether.

„Why, certainly. No researcher could overlook such intriguing subjects.“

Intriguing subjects… looking at Faust so intently listening to Dongrang I started to wonder if that was what I was to Limbus Company, aside from a well of information – a particularly interesting bug to put into a jar and study my every move. After all, I climbed into the jar so willingly, they didn´t even have to leash me or do anything extreme.

If it wasn´t for my connection to Dante, I would for sure be locked up in some facility by then.

I quickly returned my attention to the situation at hand.

„...Then, one day, while we happily indulged in research in that laboratory of the Lobotomy Corp. branch facility, armed terrorists attacked the place. It was all too sudden. Have you ever seen a bomb set off before your eyes? It’s quite the spectacle. It all starts and ends in a split second. Just like the universe, isn’t it?“ Dongrang stared into a wall, completely blissed out. I quietly wished he exploded with the bomb.

„Where are the terrorists now?“ Outis asked in full business-only mode.

„The members have almost nothing in common, and their motive is unknown. They only showed up recently. In the end, the terrorist organization took over the laboratory Mr. Dongrang’s team had stayed in.“ Samjo explained.

„Mm. That must be when the lab was moved.“

„…How severe was the damage?“ Yi Sang asked suddenly, as his eyes traveled along the mostly empty desks. Several of them were decorated with bunches of flowers.

„You see, those empty seats… they’ll stay that way for a while. Their owners died—in that act of terror. Ah, this fellow we only managed to recover a finger from. We couldn’t find the right place to put it, so we’ve been keeping it in storage. It should be over at the display on the second floor. There is so much we had to leave behind.“

„…Dongrang…“ Gregor said, possibly in an attempt to offer some kind of comfort.

Not that Dongrang needed any of it.

„...I especially miss the plaque modeled after the face of my character, that was a favorite souvenir of mine.“

„I’ll be stumped, I can’t tell how much of what he says is a joke and how much of it is serious.“ Gregor said to me. I sighed.

„I wouldn´t bother… he´s not exactly the type to mourn.“

„What about that seat, then?“ Outis pointed to a vacant seat at a desk completely devoid of any kind of memorial decor.

„Ah, that one is reserved. We’re waiting for a new employee to take that seat.“

„Oh… Is there an application guideline for the position, then? Where can I see it?“ Ishmael asked, with clear motive behind her otherwise innocent question, but was ultimately shot down by displeased Samjo clearing his throat.

„Oh dear, our Mr. Samjo is feeling all uncomfortable now. Shall we actually get to the point then, Samjo?“ Dongrang laughed as Samjo assumed a business-ready stance.

„Let me be blunt; I suggest an accord that will benefit both parties. If you help us retake the laboratory, we’ll yield the ownership of the Golden Bough we found to you.“

Faust was apparently taking no prisoners that day, as she responded in kind: „I have a question. Is this a fixed contract, or a post-fulfillment review contract? Will it be represented by delegate bodies or co-executive members?“

„Allow me to answer that. This will be an immediate delegate-body-represented contract with no warranty liability. A contractual signing overseen by an observer from a Grade 1 Contract Office will take place following due process.“

„A Contract Office…? I-I dunno what’s going on… Does it really have to be so complicated?“ Dante asked, completely lost in all the bureaucratic bullshit.

„In J Corp’s District, we couldn’t get the Golden Bough right away despite winning because we didn’t have anyone overseeing the deal.“ Ishmael answered.

Gregor scratched his head, trying to remember. „Oh… That Ayuda from the Merry Archils? She started a fight even after Rodya won the game.“

„It’s Aida from Los Mariachis…“ Sinclair corrected Gregor, but was promptly ignored.

„That’s right. Instead of playing the role of the observer, she left us with no choice but to take the Bough with force. Which is why it is safer to use the service of an Association or a Contract Office to stand as an observer or to notarize the contract even if it can be costly. That’s what Faust probably considered most carefully, I think.“ Ishmael explained. I had to admit, for all that paperwork, having something solid to rely on was probably the only way how to stay safe in the City. So much so, that I caught myself wondering what exactly was stated in the contact I signed the day I joined Limbus Company. I didn´t have a chance to actually read through it, since it wasn´t in a language I could understand, but it wasn´t unlikely that there were important stipulations I wasn´t aware of. That thought worried me.

I snapped back to the reality as I shook my head. No, thinking that way will get me nowhere. I just had to trust them. There was no other option if I wanted to get back home.

„Ah… Why don’t I show you around my lab instead, then? It’s not here, though… You’ll have to take the elevator once more.“

„Geh? You would show them that much, Mr. Dongrang? That place is off-limits for unauthorized personnel…“ Samjo jumped, as if Dongrang just said that he was going to shave Samjo´s head as a little harmless prank.

„Hah, you just made a really funny noise, Mr. Samjo. Well, it shouldn’t hurt. We’re hanging out a bit to celebrate the provisional contract being signed. Besides, I am intrigued to see if that gift from one of my old friends could help that individual at the back, next to the manager. Poor thing can´t manage to speak properly.“

I realized a moment later that those words were aimed at me.

„Alighiero is perfectly capable of communication, Mr. Dongrang. It is their unique circumstance as a temporary hire that they are only capable of talking to the rest of the Company employees and our manager.“

„Really? Well that only makes it more interesting for me.“

Dongrang´s sudden interest in me was worrying, to say the least. More worrying would be if he succeeded, because I was not sure I could hold myself if he started talking my ear off. As we entered his lab, he began pointing out all the machinery.

„This is where regenerative ampules are made. They’re publicly called “HP bullets”… but the underlying principle is a nanobot-based medical treatment. There have been struggles here and there, but at the moment, the ampule I sliiightly modified recently is the most commonly used version.“

He then popped over to small workstation. I guessed it must´ve been the point from which the surrounding machinery was directed as it was surrounded by a number of large screens depicting all sorts of values I didn´t understand. After a while Dongrang let out a victorious noise.

„Here it is! Now, hold still for just a moment-“

I let out a pathetic yelp as I felt a hunk of cold metal catch on the skin of me neck as it enclosed it in a vice grip. After the initial panic was over I realized it was little more than a rigid metal collar necklace.

„Ugh… this brings back memories.“ I laughed uncomfortably.

„Of the Inquisitors?“ Sinclair asked with worry.

„No… just a very particular of heavy drinking that was filled with questionable life choices. It was a night to remember, I can tell you that much.“

„Interesting.“ Dongrang sighed in awe. „I can kind of make out what you´re saying… but your way of speaking is unlike anything I´ve ever heard. Simply fascinating.“

Clearing his throat, Gregor asked Dongranga question: „So, Dongrang, are you… continuing your research on improving those cure-all nanobots?“ He briefly looked to me and I smiled and nodded encouragingly, glad to be pulled off the spotlight.

„Haha, of course not. HP bullets have long been commercialized. My project right now is the improvement of livestock using them.“

Improving… livestock? Ishmael raised an eyebrow at Dongrang.

„If “cutting” as a concept is reduced to irrelevance… if it becomes limited to a fleeting moment… Think about it. We can get an endless supply of high-quality meat. And it’s not just any meat; the flesh will come from livestock researched and improved with the combined efforts of countless minds… That’s the quality and rarity we’re talking about.“

Our gazes were drawn upwards where countless live chickens were perpetually being regenerated with ampules after their wings and legs got cut off.

„It seems… Dongrang has a love for meat as deep as Rodya’s!“ Hong Lu smiled.

„Hmm… Love, you say? You might be right, if endlessly devoting time and care could be called love.“

With the fact that he could understand my speech, I had to keep my mouth shut in order to prevent myself from letting out a spicy remark.

„Hah. I guess snobby bunches get along well, eh?“ Heathcliff nudged me. It did lift my mood a little.

„Don’t beat up our client, okay, Heathcliff?“ Dante scolded Heathcliff in their own laid-back way.

„Depends on how they behave.“

„Hmmm… Is this how nanobots look? All I see is liquid…“ Gregor commented, looking at the green liquid injected into the chickens with scrutiny.

„When infinitesimal particles have fluidity, they will look pretty much the same as fluid.“

„Ugh… Is it really necessary to go this far for food?“ Sinclair winced.

„…Kiddo, there are lots of people in the world who’d go any length for a meal.“

I sighed. „Rodion, let´s be real, this is a commercial business – as much chicken as they can produce will be produced, but the cost of it won´t necessarily change. It´s not charity work.“

„Ah, I think I know what you’re getting at. It does feel rather unnatural, doesn’t it? If it was simply for the sake of improving food… there could've been more efficient ways to do it.“ Ishmael nodded. I guessed she probably didn´t mind too much that the chickens were practically enslaved… then again. I would not care myself whether the chicken meat on my plate was cloned or not. Especially if I was hungry and the meat was flavorful and cooked just right.

„Improving? No, this is no more than breeding. They will never realize they have the ability to fly for their entire lives.“ Yi Sang frowned.

Offended, Samjo immediately jumped to Dongrang´s defense. „I must object. Chickens cannot fly in the first place, and this technology is providing quality welfare to many…“

„It’s okay, Samjo. For someone who usually wouldn’t look others in the eye to glare directly at a person… That’s a sign of desperation, isn’t it?“

A loud alarm sounded, prompting everyone to drop the topic altogether.

„…Something seems to have happened to the lab.“ Samjo said, looking the tablet in his hands. „Will it be a good choice to head there now?“

„It’ll be fine, Samjo. They’re skilled enough that they got out of a scuffle with K Corp. security staff armed with our regenerative ampules without a scratch.“ Dongrang waved his hand over the matter as if he was talking about a malfunctioning coffee machine.

When we returned to the lab, the place was in complete disarray. Not long ago having been neat and tidy, the many awards and plaques fell to the floor and broke.

„An explosion has been detected. Please protect yourselves from danger by swiftly moving under your desks.“

The announcement accompanied purple lighting, similar to the one produced by Don Quixote´s messup at the border checkpoint.

„Whoops… That was a misfire.“ A large machine came into view. It was shaped much like a virus, with spidery mechanical legs and a large bulbous end that had just smashed through the glass wall of the cubicle. Next to it stood a man with mostly covered face and a disinterest of a typical office worker in his voice.

A second explosion has been detected. Please activate the regeneration ampule in your possession, and please wait for K Corp’s security staff that will arrive within 18 seconds of, of, of…

The pre-recorded announcement gradually died down.

„Same old announcement. I wonder, why are broadcasts like that told in such calm voices? Won’t a little gasping and panicking be more effective in getting people to evacuate? See, getting so preoccupied with all that technology and science nonsense dulls your empathy with feelings.“ Ran came into view, twice as cool looking as in the game. That did not however dissuade me from giving her a piece of my mind.

„Because you are bastion of such things? Just so you know, panicked announcement would make things far worse because it would make people panic instead of orderly exiting the dangerous situation.“ I angrily retorted. „Moron.“

„…You talk too much. Be quiet.“ The disinterested man next to her commented. I couldn´t quite recall his name. What was it Marlowe?

„Is everyone alright? If you aren’t, take a regeneration sample. A cross-compatibility test is normally needed, but we’re in an emergency…“

„…You look unfazed. Doesn’t a terrorist attack usually throw everyone into chaos?“ Gregor asked Samjo who calmly addressed the K Corp. researchers in the room.

„The first attack did have everyone panicking. The explosive detection broadcasts didn't exist, either. Mister Samjo hid under his desk for quite some time.“ Dongrang laughed, poking fun at Samjo.

„As I keep saying, the attack occurred in the lobby, and I was merely attempting to pick up a notebook that fell under the desk. You must take this situation seriously, Mr. Dongrang. An attack on a K Corp. laboratory in the middle of the Nest is no small matter.“

All I knew was that tips of Samjo´s ears were turning pinkish red in embarrassment. For that reason, I could hardly take him seriously.

„For sure, they managed to arrive at the floor where the researchers are. Oh, I think I sprained my left ankle, Samjo.“ Dongrang lamented. Samjo promptly injected him with a regeneration ampule.

„Are they the terrorists that are occupying the Lobotomy Corp. branch?“ Outis questioned, her eyes locked onto the intruders.

„Indeed. Speak of the devil.“ Dongrang nodded.

Soon, familiar-looking figures emerged, along with unforgettable beats of footsteps.

„Eek!“ Don yelped.

„T-The ones from the checkpoint…“ Sinclair added.

Ishmael was by far the most collected of the three of them. „And now they’re our reliable allies.“

„Those robots… They look seriously hostile…“ Dante commented as they turned to me. I simply nodded, having nothing more to add.

„Hemorrhage within five seconds. Spinal damage of at least 12 centimeters in length. Direct impact on coronary artery. Destruction of the cranium. These steps will ensure that the enemy meets immediate death without unnecessary suffering.“ The masked man said as matter-of-factly that I could not take him seriously.

„It can do that, but wasn’t it mainly to fully destroy the brain so that they can’t regenerate themselves?“ Ran nudged her compatriot before turning to us. „Hey, if you don’t mind, could you pretend to be dead if this doesn’t kill you right away? My buddy stayed up all night upgrading the instakill function.“

„Quiet.“

As the machine attacked, I coud clearly see the unfortunate victim writhe in pain.

„See~ I told you. With that recoil distance, it only reaches as deep as the occipital lobe. Did you really have to learn it through trial?“

„Damn it… It should have gone all the way through the temporal lobe.“

Dongrang, although getting seemingly more annoyed by the second, seemed quite calm. „We can’t lose to them, we have robots of our own. They should be here any minute now. Aha, there it is! The regeneration ampule administration drone.“ He excitedly pointed at the hovering pile of metal.

„It must be pretty handy to have them. Do they inject the ampules right as the staff is injured?“ Ishmael asked.

„Yes, as long as their heads aren’t lost… and the ampule is injected before the golden time passes and their brain stops functioning… They’re practically undying.“

„Even still… They wouldn’t be immune to pain. How can they be so calm about it… They won’t even bat an eye at a colleague right next to them being cut down.“ I noticed that Ishmael got a little quieter at that part. Perhaps it was starting to dawn on her that K Corp. wasn´t that great of a place to work at after all.

„Natural behavior. If all wounds can be healed up in seconds, all judgement regarding it will be secondary.“ Meursault spoke, observing the K Corp. Staff.

„If that’s the case… Will we become like that eventually?“ Hong Lu asked. He looked to me for answers at first, but I realized I didn´t have one.

„I don’t see a reason to think about such things.“ Meursault said, saving me the trouble of coming up with something.

„I was just curious.“ Hong Lu added. Nobody listened to him.

„By the way… Who are these new faces with unfamiliar outfits? Anyone wanna introduce yourself?“ Ran asked. She was looking over all of us, but her eyes did stop on me. „You there, temporary hire, who are you?“

„It´s none of our business.“ The man stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.

„True. But it’s kinda awkward to be just facing them. Someone’s gotta talk, no?“

I was going to introduce myself out of common courtesy before I was stopped by Ishmael. „Why should we introduce ourselves to a terrorist organization?“

„Watch you words, we’re no mere terrorist organization. We are the technology liberation alliance.“

„Liberate what technologies exactly? Does technology yearn for freedom?“ Hong Lu asked, his head cocked to a side.

„You´d be surprised. Remind me to show you guys Star Wars when we get back. It´s a movie.“ I whispered to Hong Lu who smiled in return and nodded happily.

„That… certainly looks convenient. Broken bones heal up in a matter of moments.“ Gregor said, pointing at the K Corp. Staff getting shot with the regenerative ampules.

„K Corp. provided us with an astronomical sum of research grants to support our research on improving this ampule. Do keep this a secret from Shrenne, please; she might get mad at me about it for three months.“ Dongrang laughed.

Rodya stood in front of a K Corp. drone and extended her right arm. „I think I cracked a bone in my right hand~ Can I get an ampule? It’s kinda harder to grip my axe.“

„Welcome. K Corp. drones are always there for your health. Administering regeneration ampule…Cannot administer.“ The machine rambled.

„Friendly entities of type 3j-54 are eligible for serum injection, but regeneration ampules may only be administered to patients hemorrhaging 1L or more of blood. Also, since you have not taken a cross-compatibility test for the ampules, we do not take any responsibility for possible side effects. Thank you.“

„Wha~? What are you talking about, you want me to cut off an arm or a leg or something?“ Rodion scrunched her face in disgust – only for Sinclair to point out K Corp. Staff who were doing just that.

„They’re…They’re already doing that. Look at the K Corp. staff…They’re cutting up their own limbs… to get the ampule…“

If I didn´t already know about the kinds of standards the City employed, I would be shocked by that sight. As it just so happened, however, I wasn´t specifically phased… at least not in the moment. As with N Corp. Inquisitors in Calw, there was no telling wat affects may have persisted after we have left K Corp.

„It’s a necessary requirement. It would be a tremendous financial waste to use regeneration ampules for every little scratch.“ Samjo commented, only stoking the fire in me.

I glared at him „But it´s not waste to use the same resource to regenerate chickens, is it? Sounds like a double standard to me, especially when so much chicken winds up in food waste each day as is.“

„I hate to make comparisons, but its value is far above the caliber of small firms like yours.“

I rolled my eyes in annoyance, only to notice Dante backing away – and the K Corp. drone sending decay bolts after them… luckily, Ishmael was on the top of things, throwing herself in front of Dante.

„Ah…Grrr…“

„Executive Manager! Are you alright?“ Outis worriedly asked Dante, completely ignoring Ishmael.

„I’m the one who got hit, Outis…“

„Hah, see what your robots that cost a bomb to make are doing. It fired at an ally!“ Outis continuously protested. She was met with equally oppositional Samjo.

„I must object. That was not friendly fire. However… It does appear that exceptions couldn’t be fully configured. I apologize for that particular shortcoming.“

„What, ngh… are you talking about?“ I could only watch as Ishmael´s arm melted right before our eyes. I silently wished I had noticed what was going on sooner… but in the end, I would not be able to warn Ishmael or Dante in time – and not without drawing attention to myself, either. „Why… does it look like my body is melting? Can anyone make it… make sense…“

„Ishmael!“ Dante´s clock head ticked with worry.

„Normally, K Corp’s drones administer regeneration ampules to injured personnel… However, it injects a decay ampule to deserters.“ Samjo explained.

„…It shot the decay ampule at me because I was trying to escape the combat zone?“ Dante asked, flabbergasted.

„Ain’t that just revolting… Think you can pull off summary executions when there isn't even a war going on?“ Gregor recoiled. I could hardly hold myself, too. „Why not just make the drones fight instead?“

„The Nest you’re from must have valued human life, am I right? The value of each drone we have far surpasses that of ten class 2 staff members combined. Do you understand?“ Samjo retorted coldly. I could not stand down anymore.

„Value…“ I spat the word Samjo in the face, like it was a disease. „You can´t place something so finite as value on human life. Each human born is a completely unique set of variables, while mass produced machines are all but identical. If you and your buddy Dongrang really think that any single life has a finite monetary value, then you are no men of science… you´re just a common idiots playing God.“

„Alighiero…“ I heard Dante call to me, but I couldn´t tell if they were scolding me or not. I sighed and replied in similar tone.

„It´s time to rewind, Dante. Don´t worry about me, I can handle it.“

Then The clock hands began to turn and my body was gripped by pain once again. I gritted my teeth and stood resolutely before Samjo through it all, staring daggers into him.

I could hardly believe that I was going to try and save his life the very same day.

Chapter Text

„Attention, everyone! Reinforcements have arrived!!“ Shrenne rolled in with bunch of people I knew would betray us later. The place was getting quite crowded and I didn´t like it in the slightest.

„W-Who are those people?“ Rodion asked.

„For sure, who could these be, Shrenne~? Made new friends other than me?“ Dongrang said with poorly feigned jealousy. It was very clear that he was unhappy about the development, which only made me that much happier.

„They’re Fixers from Rosespanner Workshop, the ones we’re working with for the current project. They’ve visited here several times already, you really should be familiar by now.“ Shrenne rolled her eyes at Dongrang.

The tall man with ashen hair came up to Dante, dripping confidence and smell of strong cologne. „Pleasure to meet you. I’m Niko, representative of Rosespanner Workshop.“

The unexpectedly expected friends-pretending-to-be-enemies’ faces clouded over at the unexpected arrival of „reinforcements“. I did my best to play a surprised and relieved guest and hired help. It was more difficult than I thought it would be.

„Boring. Let’s head back.“ Ran said as her eyes met with Shrenne´s.

„What?“ Her masked buddy looked surprised at first, but quickly changed his tune. „Sure… We’ll leave.“

„Would you look at that, our "aura" has made them flee out of terror… Huhu…“ Nico grinned victoriously.

If only I had realized that not blowing my cover would be this difficult, I would´ve stayed on the bus. Samjo had better thank me after all this AND get me a gift basket of crispy chicken for my troubles.

„Thanks, Shrenne. This made me seriously consider the possibility that your department might be picked as the best next year for the first time.“ Dongrang smiled. It was surprising just how good he was at acting. Maybe he held onto the hope that Shrenne would betray Ran.

„Shame about your precious trophies being destroyed, huh?“ She mumbled under her breath.

„Ms. Shrenne, pardon me for suspecting, but you did not perchance wait until the trophies were broken before bringing reinforcements, did you?“ Shrenne was momentarily surprised, judging by her widened eyes at Samjo´s words.

„I don’t mind losing them. As long as the photo is fine.“ Dongrang commented, kneeling down to pick up a broken picture frame off of the floor,

„The damage they left is pretty severe now that I’m seeing it firsthand…It could’ve gotten all the researchers killed if things went wrong.“ Gregor said, kicking about the rubble at our feet.

„Indeed, which is why we must eliminate them and reclaim the facility they've occupied as soon as possible.“ Samjo replied

„Why, then, does K Corp… not provide assistance?“ Yi Sang asked pensively. There was certain hardness to his eyes that I haven´t really noticed before.

„Mmm… Clearly, it’s because they don't want the general public to know that such a thing happened in the Nest, don’t you think?“ Dongrang replied, stepping from one foot to another, clearly uncomfortable with the implications.

„While I may concede on that matter as innocent feathers were involved, this concerns researchers and a laboratory directly affiliated with the Wing.“ Yi Sang pressed further.

„It’s evidence that they want it to remain discrete that much, don’t you think?“ Dongrang answered, outwardly unbothered by the statement. „Anyway, I ought to bring a generous supply of regeneration ampules for you all to use. Now should be a good time to depart, right?“

„We aren’t going on a picnic, Dongrang… You gonna be okay?“

I found Gregor´s concern quite touching. Though he may have hated Dongrang´s guts over his attitude towards decay ampules used for intimidation, he clearly didn´t want him hurt. Or maybe it was just that he was our client.

„No problem, seeing you in battle made me all the more reassured about accompanying you.“ Dongrang smiled once again, showing perfectly white teeth.

„Just so you know… the technology our manager Dante uses is on a different level compared to K Corp’s ampules; rather than regenerate, it restores.“ Faust stepped in front of Dante who was Dongrang´s focus at that moment. „Therefore, observing it won’t provide much insight that can be applied to K Corp’s Singularity or regeneration ampules.“

„Restoration, not healing, huh.“ Dongrang rubbed his chin, as he seemed to consider the angle Faust spoke about. „I would like to see it in action either way. Nothing beats seeing technology used in its most natural environment.“

„It has to be common practice for someone like you to send capable underlings to do the fighting for you, and yet you insist on being on the front. Are you that hungry for a medal?“ Outis snickered at Dongrang´s unshakeable determination to see the Sinners in action.

„No, it’s that I left…..“ He said in a surprisingly soft voice. „...a number of things I couldn’t take with me in time. Like the photo commemorating my third consecutive year of winning the excellence award, the plaque of appreciation from K Corp, the photo taken to celebrate my lab's expansion, and… what else was there, Samjo?“

„…Classified documents concerning the research, sir…“ Samjo said through his teeth, likely busting a nerve over Dongrang´s aloofness.

„…So it’s more that you wanted to gain back the medals you had.“

„Oh right, that too.“

Though the exchange was a bit funny, it did make me wonder… just how much would I miss everyone when I finally reached my goal of getting back home? There wasn´t all that much to miss about it, aside from Fawkes and maybe couple people I could´ve called friends but never bothered to get close to.

„I guarantee you, that nerd Dongrang has never swung a fist in his life. He’s too carefree. At least bring some Fixers like me.“ I heard Shrenne say next to me. I smiled in return.

„He does have that vibe about him. I could never stand someone like that without pulling a string of some office pranks… like taking his favorite belongings and encasing them in gelatin.“ I whispered to Shrenne. I heard her laugh, however small sound it was, with the undercurrent of pity.

„Is your department going as well, Ms. Shrenne? I don’t see how you could benefit from the success of this operation.“

Shrenne´s face hardened in a split second, smile replaced by frown „…Three of my coworkers died in their last attack. I’ve lost too much to care about interests and benefits.“

„Ms. Shrenne… In that case, will I be correct to assume that the payment for the Fixers will be handled by your department—“

Maybe letting Samjo jump into the vat of tears wasn´t such a bad idea after all.

„Ugh… You just can’t stop being such an irritating bunch.“ She shook her head in disbelief.

„The Lobotomy Corp. branch we must reclaim isn’t too far from here. Let’s head there together.“ Samjo proposed, as he looked through what looked like underground maps on his tablet´s screen.

A per Samjo´s idea, we were traveling on foot, looking like a small-sized rag-tag army of clowns – and sounding like it, too.

„And then, you see~ I bet the chips and declared like this: "All~ in." “ Rodion said, pushing imaginary chips in front of her away.

„Haah… I wanna stop hearing it… It's giving me nausea.“

I had to agree with Gregor… although hearing the story for the first few times was fun… it got old VERY fast.

I looked ahead at Niko who was walking next to Rodion and Heathcliff. They happened to be caught in a deep conversation on how to win big in a casino. I had to shake my head, because it was probably the first time I saw Heathcliff pay attention to something else than turning enemies into a bloody pulp.

„Things are lively this time around.“ Dante commented as they caugh up to me. I scratched at my neck, bringing their attention to the newly acquired speech collar.

„Is that thing uncomfortable? I could ask Faust to remove it.“

„No, it´s fine… for now, anyway. But I think we should probably limit talking. Too many people around, you know.“

„D.L.I.“ Ryoshu growled.

"She says she doesn't like it." whispered Sinclair in response.

„I know." Dante whispered back.

„If there’s one fortunate thing, however, it’s that we won’t encounter any Abnormalities here.” Dongrang slid next to us, uncomfortably close for someone who was just a client.

„Why does this person keep talking to me?“ Dante asked no one in particular.

„To tell you the truth, the first encounter with Abnormalities was a series of shocking revelations. It was hybrid, so to speak. I wouldn’t have been able to conceive such a concept as developing a new source of energy from the human subconscious.“

„Did it never occurr to you that messing around with things you know nothing about, and that were purposefully buried, was not a great idea?“ I asked Dongrang directly.

„I believe in that widespread and standard, hm, what was it again… right, the notion that age of humanity is coming to an end. Now is the age of the superior minds. Not too many have realized this with their hearts yet. It´s fear like that which holds the progress back.“

I scoffed. „Some progress this is. You don´t even have safety railings anywhere and you act like this place is the pinnacle of technology. Even Lobotomy Corp. had a proper grading system for the Abnormalities that corresponded to their danger levels. Though their documentation was written in blood, it was enough to prevent further deaths. Meanwhile your office gets attacked so often that the safety announcements are not met with much more interest than if they were weather updates.“

My words didn´t seem to strike chord with Dongrang. „I was already glad to have you on board, but seeing that your temporary hire is of such a knowledgeable sort, I am downright humbled, Manager Dante. If these are standards you hold your temporary employees to, the rest must stand leagues above them.“

„Some one-sided conversation this is… Much worse than the ones I have with Vergilius… though, I´m surprised you know so much about L Corp.“ Dante told me, turning away from Dongrang.

Before that particular conversation could continue, Dongrang stopped us, lowering his voice to a whisper.

„Shh. I hear some movement.“

There were indeed machines. I recalled that they were of the explosive sort, so I kept my guard up, more so than usual.

After the fighting was over, Dongrang looked almost disappointed. „I don’t see any terrorists.“

„Relax. I’ve brought plenty of regeneration ampules, so those murder machines can rampage all they want.“ Shrenne said calmly, glass ampules jingling in her bag.

Just after she said that, one of the machines turned on with an ominous noise before playing a message in a mechanical voice.

„Alright, all… You hear me? I got pretty mad thinking you might have thought we ran off, so I’m sending you a message verbally. I’m about to tell you something real important, so listen up.“

I watched the Sinners like a hawk. For a while I was almost wondering if they would adhere to the way they acted in the game.

„……a pause to rouse tension… Good….. It’s that you are…You are a bunch of worthless worms. Yeah, that’s right. You’re just worms!

„Gimme a break. I was all ears for this load of nonsense.“ Gregor said, making move towards the machine. I tugged him and Heathcliff back. „Guys, that thing´s a trap, get back!“

The machine is heating to unnatural degrees, its components expanding. Someone grabbed me from behind and threw me away from the explosion… coincidentally, straight into Niko, causing us to topple to the ground.

„Oh my, it really is a trap. That’s a telltale sign of an imminent explosion.“ Niko said, not at all phased by a whole person being thrown at him.

The murderous machine exploded a moment later, leaving behind a scorched spot and general rubble. I saw that Don Quixote and Meursault were still caught in the explosion, despite my warning.

„Hmm… They must’ve used what little time they had to place traps like this.“ Dongrang said calmly, although if it hadn´t been for Meursault throwing himself in front of him, he´d be assuredly dead. „Their dedication is admirable. I’m raring to see the mastermind behind this.“

„This really doesn’t feel like the time for admirations.“ Dante said, assessing the damage to the Sinners. Don was in a particularly pitiable state, impaled on a pillar.

„Will this… blow up once it stops working like the last one?“ Sinclair pointed to another machine that was similarly starting to play some kind of message.

„Alright, so, this is the second time you killed my machines, right? Let’s see…You’re a bunch of roaches that do nothing other than just crawl on the floor.“

Gregor looked particularly uncomfortable, although he did his best to not let it get to him.

„So… go on and keep crawling like the bugs you are. Why bother looking up when you’ll be spending all your lives on that flat dimension of the surface, am I right?“

„I understand now. Once the machines stop functioning, they play a pre-recorded voice clip, then explode seconds after. It is unclear what purpose they are meant to serve, but all the machines are equipped with the same mechanisms.“ Meursault assessed the machine from a safe distance.

„Pre…recorded? I didn’t see that one coming…“ Gregor´s shoulders visibly relaxed, since that basically meant that the roach-related message was not a specific jab against him.

„There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask, what kind of organization is this… technology liberation alliance?“ Hong Lu asked suddenly. His insights were typically out of nowhere, but moved things along in unexpected ways. I really liked that about game Hong Lu… and the real deal didn´t disappoint, either.

Outis rolled her eyes at him. „Why do you bother asking such questions? All we need to know about them is that it’s a terrorist organization with a hollow name; their values are irrelevant to us.“

„Haha, you never know what use the information might have, Outis.“ Hong Lu smiled in response.

„I know little about them myself. I did hear that someone who used to work in a K Corp. laboratory is now one of the organization’s core members. Though, I don't have the details as this took place before I joined the firm.“ Samjo provided. Although generally insufferable, he somehow managed to be less annoying than Dongrang… marginally. „She was an outstanding researcher who was once awarded the best employee award, much like Mr. Dongrang is now.“

„What? How do you know that?“ Shrenne asked, her eyes wide and face slightly paler than before.

„I saw her name on one of the plaques in the trophy room. Wouldn’t you say it’s mandatory for someone of my occupation to remember all the names there?“

„Why do you keep peeking in there, anyway?“ She mumbled at Dongrang.

„I believe you saw her once earlier. She was enthusiastically destroying my lab.“ Dongrang turned to the rest of us to explain. „Right around when Shrenne and I joined the company, she was… well, rather famous within the firm. I heard rumors that she had wanted to test the limits of K Corp’s technologies… then one day… rumors about her leaving the laboratory spread, saying that this is where she ended up.“

A deathly quiet spread among the group as we continued onwards, deeper into the Lobcorp branch.

„Ah, this corridor must be the last. Once we’re past here, we’ll reach the edge of the facility. After I retrieve my precious items from there, I’ll give you the ownership of the Golden Bough as promised.“ Dongrang smiled.

„Feels like this is gonna end on a rotten note, you gonna be okay with that? Those terrorists really must’ve run off, seeing how none of ‘em showed up.“ Rodion sighed. Little did she know that we weren´t done with K Corp. at all.

„It was part of the contract to reclaim the laboratory.“ He replied in turn.

„That’s why I kept telling you, Mr. Dongrang. When you draft a contract, you have to be meticulous and calculating, and write it in a way that favors us.“ Samjo rolled his eyes in annoyance.

There weren´t any more killing machines there. Instead, there were just people.

„Be on guard, Executive Manager! Someone is ahead of us.“ Outis stepped in front of Dante and me, eyes glued on them.

„Yeah, but they aren’t holding any weapons.“ Dante pointed out.

„They may be unarmed, but you and Alighiero are incredibly weak and fragile civilians, Executive Manager!“

I wanted to retort with something, but realized that I really could not. Maybe it was about time I asked Outis to teach me at least the basics of hand-to-hand combat.

„Um, thanks? Outis?“ Dante asked, more than replied.

„Can’t you count? You clearly outnumber us by a huge margin. Don’t be a baby…“ Ran stepped forth, confident as ever. „Here at last, worms?“

„It’s the same voice that played from the machines. And it’s the same face we saw earlier.“ Sinclair commented, taking tighter hold of his halberd.

„Where are your other members, Senior Researcher Ran?“ Dongrang asked, meeting her confidence with his own.

„You managed to bring more help in that mess, I see. And put away that "senior" crap, we haven’t even known each other for long. Don’t you see what’s going on? They've all evacuated. And here I am… buying time for them.“

I nudged Dante. They looked at me questioningly. Though risky, I had to let them know that Ran was also outfitted with a bomb. It would have been more convenient to do before I had the speech collar on, but I did not anticipate that hiccup in my plans.

I used my hand and eyes to signal an explosion. I could only hope that Dante understood what I mean because they didn´t say anything to confirm it or deny it.

„‘Cause you're worms. Look at you, getting all cocky after receiving the best employee award. Raiding here, dare trying to catch us.“ Ran spoke, repeating the words parroted by the machines shortly before they exploded.

„You’ve got a big mouth. You think you’re better than us? You’re outnumbered like you said. That noggin of yours probably knows you’d better surrender, eh?“ Heathcliff pointed at her with his bat.

Ran laughed shortly. „Let’s say I do. It’s clear what you’ll do with me. You’ll neutralize me and keep me barely alive… "Curing" me with your flaunted regeneration ampules… Rinse and repeat, until you get the answers you want.“

The words starkly reminded me of the fragility of my own position. In theory, there was nothing tangible preventing Limbus Company doing the same to me… aside from acquiring a sufficient amount of regeneration ampules… not that they would need that many in the first place.

„Sounds like a problem that can be prevented by giving us the answers right away. Am I asking too much?“

I glanced at Dante for a moment.

Were they really as friendly as they carried themselves of was that just a role they played to keep me placated? I could easily imagine Faust just advising them to do precisely that. To keep me content and cooperative for the time being.

„Ah, whatever… I’ve had enough of toying with you.“

As Ran said that I took hold of Dante´s arm. That time, they did understand.

„Fallback! She´s got a bomb!“ At first there were mere confused faces, but as Ran spoke again, the Sinners quickly picked up on what was happening.

„That’s right, show your curiosity only to what's happening immediately before your eyes. That’s how a researcher should be.“

They acted accordingly – some jumping in to protect protect Dongrang and Samjo, others getting in the way of flying debris so that me and Dante were spared of actually lethal damage.

„Ran…“ Shrenne breathed out the words, staring at the dark spot on the floor where Ran was standing just a moment before.

„Ngh… That will hurt a lot.“ Dante said as they looked around at all the decimated Sinners. I helped them to their feet, sighing deeply.

„Well, you better get to it, that´s a lot of rewinding to do.“ I replied, dreading the pain to come. „I´ll just… go find a wall to brace against.“ I said before leaning against a wall bit further from the explosion.

„Are you alright, Mr. Dongrang?“

„I’m fine… Someone in Dante’s party pushed me away as soon as the blast was heard. You know, the quiet fellow with intimidating eyes.“

As I braced against the painful spasms, I heard Shrenne come closer. She was holding the decay ampules. With as much bravado as I could muster, I smiled at her. „Oh, I´ve no need for those – suffering the pain transference is part of Company policy for temporary hires, you see… I am not actually hurt.“

Shrenne blinked at me and then looked around as the dead rose before her eyes, their bodies restored to previous state.

„That… must be convenient. You can recover your body without using regeneration ampules.“

„I dunno, the ampule looks handier.“ Dante commented as they revived Don Quixote who was barely breathing.

„Right, is Ms. Shrenne alright? And the other Fixers?“ Samjo asked, though it was quite evident that he wasn´t particularly worried about them either way.

„We’re perfectly sound.“ Niko replied. „The other group blocked the blast for us, so we turned out fine.“

„That’s… why you haven’t been taking the ampules. That clock had special powers.“ Shrenne whispered in a heart-broken tone. „I see… Well, darn… All the ampules I brought… are useless now.“ She laughed in defeat as she dropped the ampules on the floor.

„Shrenne, you’ve got shrapnel wounds, are you sure you don’t want to use an ampule?“ Dongrang asked her, pointing out the various small wounds on her body.

„I’m fine…“

„That Shrenne fella… She’s looking kinda blank-faced, is she okay? Blank-faced… Hah, of course not. She couldn’t be so carefree.“

„I dunno, Gregor. Grief does present in a lot of different ways… and Ran was technically her colleague at one point.“ I replied. Though I tried my best to not get attached… it was difficult to know that someone I was speaking to in one moment would die before the day was over.

The only comfort I had was that her death would at least be very fast.

„……This makes it evident. The terrorists long since made their leave. All that’s left were bloodthirsty murderers hellbent on killing us. I’ve made my judgement. Alighiero?“

Outis turned to me and I stared at her for a bit before nodding. „If you´re thinking what I´m thinking you are thinking, then you are right.“

„Wha, what are you two talking about?“ Gregor asked, slightly weirded out.

Meursault stepped forth, taking over the explanation. „There’s a traitor in our ranks. No doubt remains in the matter. It’s thanks to this spy that our course and plans were leaked from the moment we departed. To prevent further damage, it is right to dispose of them here and now.“

Outis nodded along with the explanation. „As it’s unlikely to be one of us, the rational course of action is to suspect your institute’s lackeys. This mission must be abandoned, Executive Manager. To allow ourselves to be involved in this nonsense is-“

However, it wasn´t like Rosespanner Workshop Fixers would stand and take an accusation like that… even though it was true.

Apparently, neither was Samjo.

„I am repulsed by your accusation. Are you seriously suspecting us? I can assure you that we trust each other better than you people who haven’t even been in the same firm for a year-“

„No, Samjo. Their hypothesis sounds plausible. I would’ve said the same.“ Dongrang said, stopping Samjo dead in his tracks.

Samjo breathed heavily, possibly in anger, though it was difficult to tell.

„You have something to say, don’t you?“ Dongrang asked him,

„Mr. Dongrang…That group of Fixers haven’t used regeneration ampules a single time since they came in here. Any sane combatant would kill to have those.“ Samjo admitted. It must have been a hard pill to swallow, to witness as his coworkers basically were ready to stab him in the back in the most literal sense of those words.

„There is one more thing.“ Meursault added. „When we encountered Ran…They were distancing themselves from her in advance. The only explanation is that they knew there would be an explosion.“

„Oh, bother… Why not consider the possibility that my intuition is just that keen? It´s not like you´re complaining about that new hire´s miraculous warnings that came just before the explosions, either. Besides, what if we weren't using the ampules because these buddies and I are built healthy?“

Samjo´s eyes pierced me with a glare. I was, however more than ready to defend myself. „It was elementary to figure out. All the bombings worked with the same principle of taunting us in order to draw us closer just before the explosion. The first bomb was bit of a lucky guess on my part, but after that it was rinse and repeat… Ran didn´t even bother changing her wording before she detonated the charge that killed her.“

„I think that is plausible enough of an explanation.“ Samjo relented. „Unlike yours, Niko.“

„Hm… I’ve brought a truth tablet just in case. There is only one, but since Niko failed to provide a believable reason, I think it´s best you take it and testify. Either way we´ll have found the traitor in our midst.“

„Truth tablet? That red thing? How can I take that suspicious-looking drug?“ Niko recoiled, his hair sticking out in all sorts of directions like the hair on an agitated cat.

„Sorry, did you have a choice here? How strange, if I were you, I would take the tablet… or make more desperate excuses.“ Dongrang replied coldly. „You’re so gladly squandering your chances to clear yourselves of suspicion, it’s almost like you’re asking to be killed… or did you decide to kill us all and get away with it?“

„I thought a researcher’s job was writing papers… and you’re out here writing fiction, you deranged maniac.“ Niko raised his weapon at us.

The irony was not lost on me. Fiction… if only Niko knew who I was he would have laughed. Or maybe he would start wondering if I was real or just a figment of his imagination, too.

„Showing your true selves now that you’re cornered, eh?“

„I even taught you my secret to winning at the slot machines, and this is how you return the favor?“

I had to dive out of the way to avoid getting slammed over my head as Niko unexpectedly went for me first. I must´ve looked like the easiest target around. Luckily, there were more than enough Sinners ready to fight in my stead… for the time being, at least.

„Ah… Give me a second. I think we need to call a timeout. Might be the sardine I ate this morning… My stomach is aching.“ Niko was holding his bleeding gut. He was barely standing after getting hit with Heathcliff´s bat straight into his solar plexus.

„Boss!“ One of his fellow Fixers rushed to his side as Ryoshu closed in on him, teeth bared.

„No such thing. SYNC is up next.“

„Shrenne!“ The lackey spoke as Ryoshu grabbed his collar.

„She what?“

„Shrenne told us something. While we’re in here… don’t ever use regeneration ampules no matter what…“

All eyes turned to Shrenne and Niko who stood close by.

„Haah… Saying that out loud… is breaching the contract, you dolt.“ Niko lamented.

„That so… Shrenne told you that? Why?“ Rodya questioned, assuming the role of the „good cop“ to complement Ryoshu´s „bad cop“… supposedly. The City didn´t really have the concept of cops in the same sense so it was difficult to tell.

„I don’t know… She said we’ll see in due time…“ The lackey squirmed.

„Well, we have the simplest way to find out, don’t we?“ Dongrang said as he picked up on of the ampules and jammed it into the lackey´s shoulder.

„Ah…“

„…Why do you look so surprised, boss? What happens if the ampule is injected…? …Huh, this is weird…Uwaah. Uagh.“

I expected him to melt like Ishmael did. Instead, his body began to contort and change shape… then his skin began splitting open to make way for new, protruding parts that weren´t at all human in shape. It made me feel a little lightheaded and nauseous.

„…Is it just me, or is this awfully familiar?“

„Please. You don’t really think you're the only one who remembers that bug den, do you, Greg babe?“

„Hey, you okay there, Alighiero?“ Gregor asked. He was trying to hide his bug arm from view, but I just waved him off.

„Y-yeah just… give me a moment to… process… I thought they were decay ampules. Guess… guess not.“ I turned away from the remains of the Fixer. It did help a bit.

„…Oh dear.“ Niko sighed, knowing that their group was fully beaten.

„Let’s stop here. I dragged too many people into this.“ Shrenne resigned while her ally kept on lamenting.

„Well… It was my decision to take the deal for the money. Dearie me… Should’ve gone on a bigger spree yesterday if I knew it would come to this.“

He tried to go for me again, but having Rodion and Gregor standing close by made getting away twice as easier than before. I stuck to Dante´s side, not wanting to get tangled in the combat further. The fighting was over quite soon as we had the numbers advantage.

„Alright, then… Care to give us an explanation, Shrenne?“ Dongrang questioned Shrenne head on, but she simply stared blankly ahead. „Since when did you join their side?“

„…You really are something. You don’t even act surprised.“ She was fully breaking down. „Hah, employees that can be brought back to life without the ampules, huh… This wasn’t in the plans… It's not fair.“

„When I asked why you volunteered to follow me at the laboratory, you told me this: "Three of my coworkers died." Five of us died in that attack. Three is the number of casualties the technology liberation alliance suffered. Oh, and I checked your network history, too.“

Dongrang kept pressing Shrenne on and on. I could not believe him to be so cruel, but stopping him would definitely put Dante and others in major danger so I kept quiet.

„Wait, is this…all true? I don't understand. K Corp’s research institutes are the best workplace you could ask for as a scientist; it’s a stable job, cares about employee well-being, and has the limelight of the academy. But, why would you turn your back on it and collude with those terrorists… I saw you as a researcher with a promising future… You had a long way to go compared to Mr. Dongrang, but still…“ Samjo rambled, practically grasping at straws.

„Yeah, Shrenne. Why don’t you say it yourself? Why did you decide to collude with them?“ Dongrang pressed one more time. I thought I heard the softest buzzing sound coming from behind the wall just before-

„……The tears wouldn’t stop.“ Just as Shrenne finished, she looked at me with the most peculiar smile… then her head split onto two clean halves, delineated by a thin, red line.

„Hah, haha… Shut your mouths and keep still. Don’t even breathe.“ Ryoshu commanded.

I could see the wall behind Shrenne´s body crumble, revealing moving bodies of the Shi assassins.

„Fixers inanely treading shadows… I’ll give you the honor of being called F.I.T.S. Heh.“

„Fixers who work like that… would belong to… Shi Association. An Association of Fixers that exclusively take assassination requests. They most likely aren’t ones we could easily fight and defeat.“ Ishmael commented, as Dante looked about as flabbergasted as I could imagine them to look.

„How ridiculous. Torn by inner conflict.“ Samjo shook his head.

„Senior Researcher Ran was Shrenne’s mentor when she first joined the firm. It looks like their bond lasted much longer than I thought.“ Dongrang shrugged. „You see, Dante? We were peers working for the same firm, and there's still collusion and fraternity. Betrayal, division, connivance. It happens in any group of people… I guess it’s an inescapable cycle.“

„You´re wrong.“ Once again I found myself in a verbal joust with Dongrang. „Conflict is unavoidable. Letting it tear people apart is not – that is always a conscious choice of the participants.“

„Really? Say… How much do you trust those Sinners?“ He challenged me.

I scoffed in his face. „I trust them with my life.“

„You know virtually nothing about them, though. You are just a temporary hire. Am I wrong?“ He tried to get under my skin so badly, but failed at just about every possible point.

Sure, I had doubts, no shortage of them… but I had no choice but to put my faith in Dante and choose to do so over and over until I got back home to the safety of my mundane everyday life.

„You could not fathom how wrong you are, Dongrang.“

„You don’t even know which is the one that has a history with me.“

I had to laugh at that remark. I laughed and laughed like some sort of a maniac.

„Oh, that is priceless.“ I said as I caught my breath. „Of all the people here… precisely three know… you, the person in question and me.“ I stepped closer, unafraid. „If you want to continue this verbal spar, be my guest… but know that you picked the worst person to do that to, all things considered.“

After that, Dongrang seemed to have changed his mind. He calmly smiled and turned around, looking for something in piles of rubble.

„I can sense the Golden Bough resonating nearby.“ Dante said quickly.

„…It appears we’re nearing the target location.“ Faust translated for Samjo and Dongrang.

„That’s good. The photos and awards I left should be still there.“

„Classified research documents as well, Mr. Dongrang.“

I could not believe those two idiots were the top researchers at K Corp.

While I ruminated on the hiring standards of K Corp´s Department of Food Resource Development, Yi Sang knelt down to the floor and picked up a miraculously unbroken vial. It wasn´t one of those brought in by Shrenne.

He stared at the vial in deep thought.

„How kind of you. You didn’t have to pick it up.“ Dongrang said, reaching for the vial.

„…It’s the same. This regeneration ampule… Its number abides by the same rule as the 'decay ampules' that was forcibly administered to Miss Ishmael in the earlier scuffle between K Corp's brawlers and invading machines.“ He said slowly, each word said with measured, but heavy tone.

„That's what’s called a serial code. It's a unique string of numbers to categorize ampules. Ones that start with an "O" are original- Wait, why am I explaining this, again?“ Samjo asked himself as he delivered the last piece of puzzle.

„Original… Identical to the 'decay ampule' injected to Miss Ishmael... So it suggests that its essence was no different from that of the regeneration ampule.“ Yi Sang frowned.

„This series of regeneration ampule is, well, how do I say it… It’s an undiluted solution. It’s not exactly like the commercially available ones.“

There he was, caught in his own lie.

„Undiluted? I recall you said they are nanobots. Microscopic machines, therefore their programming would not differ regardless of the number of individual nanobots in the solution. Therefore, what you called nanobots are not nanobots at all.“ I stepped between the two men, glaring daggers into Dongrang. „Am I wrong?“

„Alighiero… please, stop.“

I turned around to him. „But he-“

„Please.“

With a sigh I backed down. I did not say a single word of apology, though. I wasn´t sorry – if catching Dongrang in a lie was what it took to open Samjo´s eyes to the truth, then I would do it. For my own sake.

„When did you first recognize me?“ Dongrang asked his former colleague and a friend.

„Since you showed us the chickens in captivity. It would have sufficed to give your visitors a cursory tour, yet you insisted on showing your personal laboratory…“ Yi Sang spoke, prior anger missing from his eyes.

„You’re right. I don't know about the others, but I wanted you to see the demonstrable proof of my success. I’m still sad, though. You probably had plenty of time to express your joy of reuniting with this old friend of yours.“

Dongrang sighed. „You haven’t changed. You’ve always enjoyed keeping precious things in bottles and watching them.“ He glanced at me briefly in way that made me feel more exposed than if I was naked.

„And you were intent on releasing and showing them.“ I saw Yi Sang sidestep, just enough to place himself in the way of Dongrang´s gaze.

„Didst thou say "old friend"? I must say, Yi Sang, many reunions with thy companions do await thee in this journey! In an expedition past, the, err…one wearing a tinted eyewear did confront thee!“ Don peeped, trying to break the incredibly tense verbal stand-off between the two of them.

Dongrang simply smiled. „……Aha. So you already had a reunion to celebrate. No wonder you’re being so detached with me. How troubling for you, though. Looks like there’ll be another you have to face.“

„What does he mean, Alighiero?“ Dante asked.

„You´ll see soon enough.“ I whispered back.

„I thought everyone had made their escape thanks to Shrenne’s snitching…but I suppose that wasn’t the case.“ Dongrang said, just before another figure entered the picture, followed by a thick flowery scent.

She was holding a glowing stick – the Golden Bough. I was stumped for a moment, just admiring the thing as it glowed in her hand. I got the feeling that if I reached towards it it would feel very nice... and warm.

I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away. It earned me an odd look from couple Sinners next to me, but I wasn´t particularly bothered by it.

In Dongbaek´s other hand was a torn, monochrome photograph.

„It’s a fine photograph. Only one of this shot remains in this world now.“ She said softly, looking our way with sad, tired eyes.

„So many old friends, and not one to greet me with delight… won’t you give that picture back to me? It may not look like it, but it’s a cherished treasure of mine.“ Dongrang asked, walking up to Dongbaek.

„Mr. Dongrang, you shouldn’t get close to her! It’s dangerous!“ Samjo warned him, though his words were not really acknowledged.

„All troops, do not carelessly approach her! The Golden Bough may be destroyed…“ Outis commanded, paying special attention to me. I would have felt called out if it wasn´t true.

„I agree with it.“ Meursault added. I noticed that he also stepped closer.

The Sinners must have realized that I was about ready to jump in and try to tear head off of anyone who tried to hurt Yi Sang.

„Faust will come up with a way to retrieve it in no time.“ Faust said calmly, looking at me.

„Tch, why do we keep running into problems that a good pummeling can’t solve! This is right infuriating…“

At least some things stayed the same. „You took the words right out of my mouth, Heathcliff.“ I said quietly. That confirmation apparently was enough for Outis and Meursault silently agreeing between two of them to further physically block me from jumping towards Yi Sang. Their actions bore fruit when Dongbaek lunged with the Bough and stabbed it through him. Through I made the effort, I could not reach them in time.

If it wasn´t for the metal gauntlet on Meursault´s arm and hand, I felt that I might´ve bitten him in retribution. Which was only the second weirdest thought I had that day. (The first being that Samjo´s life was worth saving.)

„I…didn’t think you would end up choosing him before my eyes.“ Dongbaek said slowly.

„Yi Sang!“ Dante called out to him as he fell to the ground, stab wound blossoming into a red flower on his chest.

„You can have this back. A photograph is nothing more than a taxidermied moment.“ She added as she dropped the photograph on the floor, beside fallen Yi Sang.

Thinking back to those days, I felt as though I had been afloat all the time then.

Yes, I was enduring life with the feeling of flying in the sky.

Thus, I had been living without knowing for certain if I truly had wings or if I was a mere half-wit.

A kind of imagery unfolded around us – Yi Sang´s memories.

„Yi Sang, did you stay up all night working on your research again? I keep telling you, skipping sleep will get you killed.“

Dongrang.

„He’s something else. Remember how he’d forget to eat or sleep when he got into something?“

Dongbaek.

„He can’t be helped, Dongbaek. So… what do you plan to show us at this illuminators’ conference? I can’t help but look forward to something you’ve been working on tirelessly in your room.“

„This time… I have made something I call the 'mirror'.“

And Yi Sang.

Thus, it has always remained unclear. Unsure if I regret that day, or reminisce of it fondly.

„…Sang… Yi Sang! You alright?“ Dante shook Yi Sang with vacant eyes by his shoulder. At last his eyes turned to them.

„I see… You have reversed my death as you always do.“

His words carried weight that couldn´t be simply brushed off as his usual state of ennui.

„…I’m sure Dongbaek’s plan was to stab me. Shrenne and Ran probably told her that I brought help from the outside…But she couldn’t have known that Yi Sang would be one of them.“

Of course, such thing was completely lost on Dongrang. In the meantime, Dongbaek made off with the Golden Bough.

„Ah~ So you’ve brought Yi Sang here on purpose?“ Hong Lu asked, curious twinkle in his jade eye.

„Mm… Are you asking if I invited him as a meat shield knowing that I’d be ambushed? As excellent as my ability to predict courses of events is, I am no prophet.“ Dongrang said, not at all feeling sorry it seemed.

„Either way, things went in our favor. The assault was clearly made with intent to kill.“ Samjo said, unaware that he was pissing off the one person who was able to change his fate. The irony was palpable, if only to me.

„What did you just…? You can't be serious… A colleague of ours got stabbed to death for your boss, and you’re talking like everything went well…“ Gregor growled at him in turn.

„It’s not our responsibility to compensate for any injuries, is it? If this has left psychological scars, you are free to demand compensation, but please know that the procedures will be rather complex.“

„No, my problem is with how you’re describing this whole-“

Yi Sang placed his hand on Gregor´s shoulder. „Leave the matter there. I do not feel an ounce of pain. So you have no need to pursue this matter further.“

„Are you sure you’re okay, Yi Sang?“ Dante asked him.

Then, Yi Sang began to talk. „I see, you must have been rather curious. I was once part of an organization named the League of Nine. Gubo, Dongrang, and Dongbaek, the one who stabbed my chest. Those faces you have seen were members of it as well, manager. However, it disbanded and scattered one day. Each of us was flown away into our own path. That was all there was to it.“

Our eyes met. I wasn´t sure what kind of expression Yi Sang saw in me, but it didn´t seem to sway him towards a different path from the one he´s walked since before I joined the Company.

„Aw, what~ Feels like your story’s missing a ton of details, y’know?“ Rodion interjected. „You broke up ‘cause things happened and now you’re pointing knives at each other~ Like, is that it?“

„Or maybe they were never friends after all.“ Sinclair commented, likely recalling his own relationship with Kromer.

„It was no more than a moment. I believe my testimony to be apt for a time as transient as that.“ Yi Sang finished, shutting down any further questioning of the matter.

„Are you really sure you’re okay, Yi Sang?“ Dante asked once again. They really were trying to be a better manager. It was good to see that.

„I have always been okay.“ Yi Sang said placidly.

„From your recent memory, umm… Have you had any particularly happy or painful moments or something like that?“

„…You are devoting an unusual degree of attention to me today, Dante. While it does not please me… I will give you an answer since your demeanor is quite unlike the usual.“ Yi Sang relented, if for just that moment. „If I were to choose one, the happiest occasion in recent memory would be… when we held an illuminators’ conference. And the most hopeless one would be…At the forest where I first met you. The very moment my life resumed when I was certain that it had ended there. Another such moment is now. I am once again realizing that this regeneration is ever so flawless, unchanging.“

Yi Sang´s words rocked me straight to the core, even though I had a rough idea of what meaning they held before he spoke them.

„I hope that sates your curiosity.“

Dante grew silent after that.

„Now, should we not be on our way? I see a long road ahead of us.“ Yi Sang looked to me for confirmation. Solemnly, I nodded.

Sudden beeping in Samjo´s pocket alerted us all.

„Oh dear...“ He took a phone out and listened to it. „Yes, I understand. I’ll return right away.“ As he put the device away, he turned to Dongrang and the rest of us. „It seems the laboratory has been raided again. There are apparently more terrorists this time, on a fiercer offense than before.“

„So the commotion earlier was a distraction to keep us here. Kgh… This could have easily been prevented if it weren’t for your collusion.“ Outis grumbled.

As we hurriedly returned through the Lobotomy Corp. branch corridors, Sinclair spoke up. „It does feel rather strange… I think this is the first time we’re going through a Lobotomy Corp. branch without facing a single Abnormality.“

„That’s true indeed. Those we did see were resting still in their eggs.“ Hong Lu added.

„The bounders from tech liberation whatever must have got some way to put Abnormalities in their eggs without lifting a hand, eh?“ Heathcliff grumbled. I was wondering if he felt a little sad that he had yet to smack a single abnormality with his bat.

„Though we will have to see the details with our own eyes...If they really do have the technology to revert Abnormalities into their inactive forms, it’s certain that they possess the technologies to achieve more.“ Faust commented. She did glance at me briefly, to which I nodded quickly.

„Well well, sounds like you’ve gotta look out, Dongrang, bud… Ms. Faust isn’t one to say ominous stuff for nothing, you know.“ Gregor added.

Even with that kind of warning, Dongrang looked as unfazed as ever, only furthering my annoyance.

„It’ll work out somehow. In our group is K Corp’s most successful researcher… and better yet, two of the greatest geniuses in the City… and the most knowledgeable intern I´ve ever had the pleasure to meet.“

It was nice to be acknowledged, but since it came from Dongrang, I was anything but happy about it.

„Mr. Dongrang… A moment, please!“ A panicked employee called after Dongrang as we re-entered the laboratory lobby.

„Haha, you’ve all turned pale. Ah, pardon me for a moment.“ Dongrang said as he followed after them with Samjo by his side.

„The situation looks pretty tense. It’s kinda awkward to stand still like this.“ Dante said as we waited for the two researchers to finish their phone call.

Meanwhile, Don Quixote was perusing a stack of books and pamphlets on a nearby shelf.

„Oho, what manner of books are these? The pictures glitter brightly!“ With a happy hum she picked up a story book. Although I technically knew its contents, I leaned over Don´s shoulder along with Dante.

Once upon a time, when everyone had their heads down and eyes fixed on the ground, there was a person who looked up into the sky.

In their eyes were twinkling stars.

Connecting the nameless stars no one else would look at,

The person gave them names, and made up stories for them as they liked.

Stories are like skeins of thread without an end;

They’re drawn and woven together in an effort to find meaning from meaninglessness.

All kinds of stories in the world, happy and sad, circled in the night sky.

Then one day, the person’s family fell deeply sick, their life nearing its end.

Like any other day, the person spoke into the sky about the grief they felt.

And then…

A droplet of water fell onto the person’s head.

Looking up, the person found the constellation talking to them.

'Dear person who named me and gave me a story, thanks to you, I was cast onto the land and pushed by the flow of time, feeling the world in full.'

'Did you know that stars can grant wishes?'

'The tears I shed will clear you of your pain.'

Afterwards, a rain fell onto the world for a day and a half.

Everyone caught in the rain was all healed up.

The person’s ill family recovered to health, too.

Since then, the person and their family, as well as all the residents of the city, have looked up at the sky and talked about happiness every night.

„That explains it. I read that Nest K has a custom of walking outside without an umbrella to stand in the rain on the night of a certain month every year.“ Ishmael knowingly commented. Much to her displeasure, the Sinners around her were staring at her blankly. „Don’t tell me, am I alone in this again? Have none of you checked out the pamphlet guide to K Corp’s Nest and Backstreets until now? No one? Alighiero?“

I felt my cheeks burn. „To my defense I already knew that… I would like to peruse the pamphlets next time, though.“ I added with a forced smile. Maybe if I knew what was in the pamphlets I could figure out more easily what was going on when my memory failed to provide the necessary information.

As the Sinners began to discuss the nature of the rain within the story and the „nanobot“ technology of the regenerative ampules, Dongrang returned.

„We’d better hurry. The situation seems pretty serious. I hear they managed to storm all the way into rooms where experiments are conducted this time.“

Don raised her face from the picture-book and looked around. „Hmm? Does this place not seem too peaceful for such a dire predicament? I see nary a man running away!“

„It does appear that there's been an evacuation order. However, as you witnessed last time, this is not the first emergency that occurred this week. They might be worried that evacuating again could disrupt the 70-hour workweek policy.“ Samjo explained in a single breath.

I cringed away at the idea. Dante seemed to have been of similar mind.

„Working in this kind of place is not easy, huh...“

„I don’t get it. How was this attack possible? It didn’t seem like a structure that allowed intruders to sneak into the room undetected.“ Outis pointed out.

„We’re running short of time, so I’ll explain as we go up.“ Dongrang more-or-less commanded. His words didn´t pass without a reaction, though.

„Object. Give one reason we should go with you.“ Ryoshu grumbled.

„Indeed. The contract has been fulfilled.“ Meursault added.

„That’s true. But, as much as I want to give the Bough to you, it’s been taken before our eyes.“

„Hmgh… TRASHES.“

Ryoshu´s eyes glowed with vicious red hue. I was very glad to be her ally instead of an enemy.

„Is this… really right? Hey… What does the contract exactly say?“ Rodion questioned.

„Hm… I couldn’t say, I’m not all too knowledgeable when it comes to legal matters…“

Samjo´s words did not please Ryoshu in the slightest.

„S.A.“

„Mister Samjo… She wants answers.“ Sinclair translated, in a trembling voice.

„Mm?“

Meanwhile, Samjo was as oblivious to her anger as could be.

„S.A.!“

„S-Samjo… She says she’ll assail you this time!“ Sinclair hurriedly translated.

„Wrong. I said I’ll assail him right now.“

Luckily for Samjo, his phone beeped again just as it finally dawned on him what kind of hot waters he was sitting in. „T-This is an emergency, an emergency!!! You should go upstairs, quickly!“

„L-Let’s hurry along for now, Ryōshū.“ Dante placated her, however little effect their words had.

„I’ll show SANGRIA… I swear it.“ She growled as we hurried upstairs.

The hallway that used to be clean and calm was filled with screams of fleeing reearchers. Among the general rubble and destruction layed dead bodies of those who were not able to run fast enough.

„Help me… Mr. Dongrang… Please, save me.“ An injured colleague of Dongrang´s held onto the smallest scrap of their life whilst in the tight grip of a TLA member.

„My staff member… is begging for help, wouldn’t you consider letting them go?“ Dongrang talked to the terrorist, hands up in the air to show he wasn´t armed. „If it’s intelligence you want, I’ll give it to you. We were planning to go out for a staff dinner tomorrow, and the restaurant we booked serves such delicious meat.“

„It’d be rather unfortunate if the smell awaiting us tomorrow came from incense sticks at a funeral instead of meat on a grill. Wouldn’t you agree?“ He added, trying to appeal to the terrorist´s feelings no doubt.

„Intelligence? We have no need for it.“ The terrorist replied coldly.

„Huh, you’re walking in unarmed now? What happened to your robots that did the fighting for you wimps?“ Heathcliff laughed.

„We have no need to bring our robots. I see plenty of useful-looking ones here.“ The terrorist probably smiled, but due to the mask covering their face I wasn´t able to tell.

„Are you trying to-“ Outis seemed to have connected the dots.

„We were ordered to excise terrorists. Target: all parts.“

Armored staff rolled in with considerable numbers.

„Huff. We outnumber them by a wide margin. It might be a little unfair, but… it seems like we won’t have any trouble beating them.“ Ishmael huffed in relief.

„Ms. Ran’s expertise was hijacking machines. She was more experienced in hacking than fighting.“ The terrorist said, pointing to the ampule helper drone floating nearby. On instinct I backed slowly to where Dante stood. We exchanged a quiet glance between us.

„Welcome. Here at K Corp, we value your safety above all else.“

„Huh, wait… What’s…“ The armored person was stumped, as the glowing green eye of the drone turned red.

„For everyone’s safety, deserters attempting to flee from battle will be injected with a decay ampule according to regulatory rules. The ampule will be launched if you leave the 120-meter radius of the combat area; you are 49 meters away from the perimeter.“

Shots rang out and decay ampules were injected into several of the staff members.

„If you do not attack the enemy within the next 5 seconds, the decay ampule will be administered according to regulatory rules. You have 4 seconds remaining.“

„Wait, are we… the "enemy" now?“ Dante asked me.

„Yup. They don´t have a choice and neither do we… but if we focus on the drones we may be able to-“ I started, only to promptly cut off.

„Damn it… I’ve got no choice.“ The armored soldier charged at Meursault.

„…!“ He tanked the hit like a total champ.

„I… don’t wanna get hit by the decay ampule. I want to live.“ The armored guy said instead of an apology.

„Current status: no deserters detected, all status green. Please stand in line for regeneration ampules“

„…I see.“ Meursault nodded.

„They’re weighing their lives with ours, not unlike what we do. Please permit us to engage.“ Outis turned to Dante. They glanced back at me, then turned to Outis.

„Got it. Try to take out the drones first… if you can.“

The fighting didn´t look easy at all. Between taking hits from the armored staff and avoiding flying decay ampules, the Sinners had their work cut out for them. All the while they were fighting, the TLA members just stood by, watching.

„I take back what I said about you being spineless wimps. I’m surprised you didn’t run away while we were scrapping.“ Heathcliff said when the last drone fell. „You’re so dead now. Bunch of book-smart sods who think using things others made is a talent.“

„Fair point. Which is why we brought something new from the Lobotomy Corp. branch.“ The terrorist said as their body was enveloped by a storm of flying talismans. They were wearing an E.G.O. gear.

„Was E.G.O something you could keep on all the time and use whenever like that? ‘Cause I didn’t know you could do that. We all know E.G.O isn’t some kind of magic tool. It’s a lot of work… just keeping my sanity from tumbling over.“ Gregor recoiled, disgusted by the particular enemy in suit made of greenish slime.

„Looks like they took a page out of Lobotomy Corp. book. I´m pretty sure they used to have those kinds of gear.“ I replied quietly to him. „It´s different from the stuff you use… slightly more stable version, if you will.“

„Does that mean… Lobotomy Corporation did the same…“ Gregor looked at me, horrified. It was Faust who answered his question, however.

„Yes, rather than Fixers, regular employees were given the E.G.O to work with. Of course, what we have right now isn’t as refined as what the Wing used to have. Additionally, they may have made use of the Golden Bough´s Qliphoth Detterence Field.“

„Wait, hold on. If you’re saying they can do that with the help of the Golden Bough’s deterrence power, that means it’s nearby!“ Ishmael pointed out.

„…Must be. Along with Dongbaek, who has it in her hands.“ Gregor nodded, intercepting an attack from one of the TLA members.

„I cannot help but question the security of this facility. The leader of the terrorists is freely roaming in your building, and not once has her presence been reported.“ Outis said after the scuffle was over.

„As much as I’d like to object… I don’t have much I can say. I didn’t expect them to break in so easily…“ Samjo sighed, having no excuse to hide behind. „Then again, the technology liberation alliance is formed by former researchers of renowned firms. It may have been inevitable after all.“

„I see… So they were villains of bright minds. But I must wonder, can individuals of bright minds turn to villainy? Hmm… What a bewildering conundrum.“ Don struggled to understand the situation through her rosy tinted glass cage.

„Don’t let them fascinate you. If they were so wise, they wouldn’t have quit their enviable jobs at large firms for a terrorist organization in the first place.“ Samjo replied.

I could not stay silent any longer. „There is more to life than money, Samjo. Some people have principles they hold onto no matter the consequences… much like you hold onto your precious Dongrang.“

He blinked at me. I hoped it was a blink of slowly inching realization, but I could not do anything else than hope because his phone beeped.

„Mr. Dongrang, you have an urgent call from Director Alfonso.“

Dongrang rolled his eyes. „Oh boy… She’s about to give me a talking-to. Can’t you take the call for me, Samjo?“

„I already have been, but her patience is nearing its limit.“

„Oh well… I’m not getting away from this. Pardon me for a second.“

Dongrang took the phone from Samjo as they both walked away from the group to get some privacy. When they were out of sight, Dante turned to me.

„Alighiero, there are quite a few things I meant to ask you… but first, I think it´s best to ask: what even is the Technology Liberation Alliance about?“

„It´s alright. I would´ve said something earlier, but there were too many ears around, if you catch my drift. In summary, TLA wants to return to the past… in a way. Specifically to the time before the conception of industrialized society when no technological advances existed. First Ran joined, then Shrenne… and the connecting thread seems to be working on the regeneration ampules. We ought to step carefully going forward.“

„Ah… that´s handy to know…. I guess.“

„It’s fortunate for Shrenne that she didn’t get to see liberation alliance members murdering researchers without mercy.“ Ishmael pointed out to offset the gloomy setting around us.

Rodion nodded. „She probably believed she was working for a noble cause to end violence until the end of her life. But I agree, it was probably best for her that she died holding onto that belief.“

Listening to their words… I couldn´t help but wonder.

Was opening Samjo´s eyes to the reality really the right thing to do?

Chapter Text

A group of staff members came our way, carrying an imposing aura, unlike any other K Corp. employees we’ve met. Their armor was more substantial, as were their numbers.

„Ah, you must be K Corp. staff. Hey! I saw some researchers that haven’t evacuated over there-“

Gregor´s words fell on deaf ears as they moved upstairs. In a way they reminded me more of a small army than a group of Fixers.

„They aren’t here to rescue anyone. Their role is eliminating intruders and keeping classified technologies secure.“ Dongrang interjected like he´s not left for even a moment. „Rescuing is left to Class 1 staff.“

„Gasp! Is Class 1 not the highest level an employee can reach, precisely like Grade 1 is for Fixers?! Verily, ‘tis no wonder that they are the noblest!“ Don excitedly spoke up.

„Sorry? In this Nest, Class 1 is the lowest level, and higher numbers indicate better ranks.“ Samjo added.

„Wha, wuh, wah, wha, wai… Whaat?!!!…Even still, none can be too lordly or lowly to save lives, so how can the roles be divided?“

„Haha, bigger is better for numbers and riches alike, isn’t that right?“

I rolled my eyes. Bigger being better. Of course, that was the way many things worked. But not all. Sometimes, it was more of the way one used what little they had. However, there was no point in arguing. Not when Yi Sang was so explicitly against it.

„Ah, the conversation dragged on for a bit… But there’s nothing to worry about, I’ve acquired the permission.“ Dongrang said, patting Samjo´s back.

„What? Permission? For what?“ Heathcliff asked, voicing Dante´s question.

„Normally, it seems to require a bunch of paperwork as well, but since we’re in an emergency, let’s skip the procedures that we can. Should be fine, right, Samjo?“ Dongrang turned to his ever-so-loyal assistant. Samjo´s expression held a considerable amount of quiet resentment.

„Well… I believe it could be managed with three days and a half of working on the report overtime. And strictly speaking, the problem already began when you brought them to your lab without any report.“

„Just tell us what that permission is about first!“ Heathcliff demanded, fed up with Dongrang´s bullshit.

„It would seem that Dongbaek has headed that way.“ Dongrang pointed to the stairway. „The screening room. The security procedures for entering that place can be… extremely convoluted.“ He added cryptically.

„Screening room? The name doesn’t give a very clear idea of what it’s about.“ Rodion questioned.

„Wonder why the security is so tight about it.“ Hong Lu added quietly. I saw few of the Sinners glance at me, but nobody was really asking about it.

„It’s at the very top of the building.“ Dongrang explained. „There are two ways to make something inaccessible: put it underground, or at the highest point.“

Continuing down the corridor, we stumbled on another group of TLA members.

„As you might have seen earlier… that’s Marile. In fact, I met him once at a job interview for B Corp. once.“

„Really? Samjo… You applied for B Corp, too?“ Dongrang asked with interest.

„Of course, K Corp. was my primary choice… but a man of mediocrity like me has to send an application to every Wing in hopes that one will accept it.“

Marile… of course it was Marile, how could I forget? Well, very easily, apparently. When we reached him, there were many corpses around. I could hardly tell which may have belonged to men or women while alive.

„Oh dear, pardon me, I need to use the restroom!“ Samjo turned pale and ran, covering his mouth with a hand. Unlike him, Dongrang didn´t seem to have such troubles looking at the many disfigured bodies. It only made me that much more unsettled to be around him. Blood pooled around them, though edges have already begin to set into gnarly dark stains on the floor. In a way, it reminded me of the nightmare from the night after we got back from Calw and the disfigured faces didn´t help the distinction, either. I had to look away just to keep the contents of my mostly empty stomach inside it.

„G.U.T.S. or S.O.B.“ Ryoshu mumbled in a gruff voice as she held smoldering butt of a cigarette between her teeth. I realized the words were aimed at me only when Sinclair nudged me.

„She said you should get used to it… or stay on the bus.“ He said. „Your face is looking a bit green. Are you sure you can handle this?“

I nodded slowly. Though my stomach was swimming, I wasn´t going to let little nausea stop me. In any case, I did have to steel myself if I wanted to play an active role in the missions. The number of dead bodies I would come to see wasn´t going to drop lower anytime soon.

„We’re looking for your boss. Where is she?“ Outis asked Marile assertively.

„What I want to know is how you’re still alive.“ He retorted angrily.

Heathcliff was naturally the fastest to reply. „Oh, you mean those galling murder machines? They weren’t anything we couldn’t deal with. The bomb… did hurt a bit, though.“

„No. That bomb wasn’t meant for annihilation. It was a means.“ Marile shook his head. „There’s been an unexpected variable to Ran and Shrenne’s plan. What are you?“ He said, his eyes stopping on Dante and by extension, me. Thankfully, it was Faust who broke her silence.

„Even if you were to return to an age without technology, you won’t find the peace you seek.“ She said, diverting the conversation away from that landmine of a question. „Once accustomed to the luxury brought by technology, people won’t be able to withstand life in the past. Think of the time when trips to the Backstreets were trending among the rich.“ She said pointedly. „They only use the experience to take another look at their own lives and be thankful for everything they have. Hardly any would live in a less opulent era given the opportunity.“

„And? I don’t like talkative people. Not fond of explaining things to you, either.“ Marile said proudly.

„I’m not the talkative sort. And I don’t require explanations in any field. I was simply curious to know the difference in perspectives.“ Faust replied.

It must´ve been enough for Marile to open up a little more, one researcher speaking to another.

„None of us take WARP trains. We don’t eat the meat the City has to offer, either. When you know the truth, you wouldn’t even consider something as shallow as Backstreets trips.“

Hong Lu cocked his head. „Hm… The elders in my family, who must know even greater things than I do, didn’t have any problem using them though?“ His innocent curiosity didn´t sway Marile at all, though.

„The masses are ignorant. They won’t believe it even if you show it before their eyes.“

Then it was Heathcliff who tried his hand at talking the terrorist down. „And this is your conclusion? Get rid of everything and make ‘em live in that empty world?“

„You wouldn’t get—“

„No, I think I get it just fine. There are plenty of blighters out there who just don’t get it if you talk nicely. They’d only start empathizing with the likes of me after they get a couple bruises and scars on their faces.“ He spat at him the words, syllable by syllable. „It gives me the urge to just wreck it all.“

Marile thought about his words for a while, then replied: „If we ever recruit new members…I’ll try excluding the educational background from the requisites.“

„Although Heathcliff has never told us about what schools he went to… I can see where it’s coming from. Still, you're going way over the line.“ Ishmael said, shifting the grip on her mace.

When the fight broke out, I stood by Dante, thinking over everything that was just said. What technologies like the tears meant to people of the City, people like Samjo. If I was to show him all that he was willingly blinding himself to and succeed, I needed to really sell that point of view to him. Not through empty words, but something that he held close to his heart… and there was really only one way to do that.

„E.Y.“ Ryoshu tapped Yi Sang´s shoulder.

„…Did you call?“

„That man who keeps clinging to us claiming to be your friend. What’s the relationship?“ She said, using actual words and sentences instead of her signature SANGRIAs. Each word she spoke was intent realized. She was serious.

„As can be seen, the tie has long been severed.“

„I don’t like butting in, and I hate speaking for long even more…But I’m telling you this since the smile of that ignorance-feigning scoundrel Dongrang is detestable.“ She shook her head. „That one desk, one that was even more disgusting than the others because it was clean and empty. The nametag below it had your name.“

Yi Sang had nothing to say to that. Naturally.

„He was planning to give Yi Sang that position all along?“ Dante turned to me. „Why didn´t you tell us, Alighiero?“

Before I could answer, Ishmael butted in.

„Yeah, is he trying to headhunt him? That’s supposedly a violation of moral principles between firms or something like that if I recall.“

I shook my head. „Come on, Ishmael. It doesn´t take a genius to see that Yi Sang doesn´t have a particular reason or desire to accept the offer. The point´s moot.“

„BAFFLED.“

Ishmael paused to think, but quickly gave up. „What’s that supposed to be an acronym for?“

„It’s not. I’m just baffled. Orange hair, you say you used to work on a ship for a long while? As a Fixer? You have serious delusions about Wings and firms. Did you dump your common sense into the great lake as chum? Bringing up morality in the world we live in… Pretty amusing for a joke.“

Ryoshu´s words irked me. „Don´t get me started, Ryoshu. If having strong sense of morality is your idea of a joke I could make you bust a rib or two laughing.“ I said, stone-faced. „Which would be both unpleasant for me and pretty dangerous going forward. We still have to get the Bough from Dongbaek.“

Dante interjected. „Even if Dongrang was headhunting Yi Sang... this really is strange. He’s not taking Yi Sang’s thoughts into account at all.“

„Pay it no heed.“ Yi Sang spoke his wishes in earnest once again. „Thoughts are rather meager things. I am quite used to the life of being taxidermied.“

„Are you sure you don’t mind? Yi Sang, when you joined the company… No, actually… Didn’t all of us receive the same job offer?“

The job offer. In my case I could hardly call it that. It was just a lifeline thrown towards me as I was drowning. I knew that the rope was covered in thorns and I still grabbed on – because in that moment, more than anything else, I wanted to live.

Funny thing was that I hardly had any reason to survive. I may have gripped the rope, but instead of my own grip, the very thorns that cut my hands were the reasons why I kept holding on after the survival instinct became a background noise.

I couldn´t die because there were thirteen people directly depending on my survival. Thirteen thorns of the rope that wrapped around my head like a fucked up crown since the moment I was pulled into that ruthless world.

„Let’s proceed.“ Faust said, pulling me out of my thoughts. We entered the dark environment of the screening room. There, hidden in shadow like a shroud a giant eyeball rested, its eyelids pried open by force to make it cry endless tears that formed the basis of the regeneration ampules.

„It’s too dark to see… What is that?“ Sinclair asked, pointing to the thing above the vat of tears. Instead of answering his question, Dongrang turned to Samjo.

„It’s been stopped for a moment because of the commotion, right?“

Samjo looked at the screen of his tablet. „Yes, as intruders might come up… so Director Alfonso has ordered to halt the operation for the moment.“

After brief moment of thought, Dongrang shook his head. „No, no, that just won’t do. The losses caused in that brief moment will be tremendous, Samjo.“

Rodion was on the edge, her hold on axe tightening as she raised it closer to her chest. „Scratch that… What IS that thing?!“

„Ah, you see… This thing cries in our stead.“ Dongrang answered cryptically. „So I always look at it with gratitude and pity.“

„I see now… That’s what Ran told me about.“ A voice came from the shadows, unseen, yet soft. With it returned the heavy, scent of flowers. A translucent veil around her suddenly dropped and Dongbaek looked at us with the same sad, tired eyes that Yi Sang always had.

„Ahh~ I’ve been wondering how, and now I know the answer. How our security was so easily breached, how we kept losing track of you, and how you kept vanishing…You had the 'veil'.“ Dongrang breathed unabashedly. „Ah, it was so simple, why couldn’t I think of it sooner?“

Heathcliff frowned. „'Veil'? What’s that supposed to be… Gah, you buggers started talking about things only you know again, eh?“

Meanwhile, Ishmael just rolled her eyes with a sigh. „You might be able to live in the City alright, but you clearly aren’t cut out to be a Fixer.“

„Most people will struggle to figure out or understand the source of each technology in their lives, so they give up the endeavor and simply nod along.“ Faust whispered. „Pretending to know. It’s an essential skill for making your life in the City bearable.“

„Ahem.“ Ishmael cleared her throat, not so covertly nodding towards the scene before us.

Dongbaek sighed deeply.

„It’s an expensive Singularity-based item only famous Fixers, Wing executives, or the richest classes could afford.“ Dongrang said, as if that explained anything. Even if I asked how you got it, you won’t answer me, will you?“

I had a few ideas about how that might´ve happened. Most of them involved Hermann in some way. However, I decided to not voice that thought. Things were getting convoluted as it were.

„Is what I’m seeing the truth behind regeneration ampules?“ Dongbaek asked pointing to the vat and the mass above it.

„Yes, that’s right. The source of the ampules you’re hellbent on destroying.“ Dongrang replied calmly.

Samjo could not hold himself back, however. „What do you… Destroy?! Let me ask you a question: Don’t you know how many lives these ampules can save?“

„These regeneration ampules don’t simply regenerate the body. These tears can kill as easily as they can save.“ Dongbaek told him. As if words from the mouth of a terrorist would sway his mind after seeing his colleagues slaughtered by members of her group.

„Are you trying to suggest that these tears kill people?“

„I have nothing more to say to you if you won’t believe me even after seeing it happen several times already.“ Dongbaek turned away.

„Fine then, will you concede if I prove their safety by walking into this pool?“ He said, completely serious and assured that his life was not in any danger.

„What?“ Dongbaek was genuinely caught off guard.

„Don’t slander Mr. Dongrang with your baseless claims. Countless people have recovered from life-threatening conditions thanks to this technology.“ He continued. „I ’ve been injected with it once myself. My neck broke while diving, but the regeneration ampule helped me recover from the brink of death. It was one of the reasons I applied for K Corp. as soon as I became an adult, but that’s not the point here.“

As he was removing his jacket I stepped towards him. There was an arm on my shoulder but I brushed it off with a scoff, making my way to Samjo.

„Listen up, because I will only say it once! Just because you are clever enough that K Corp. hired you doesn´t mean you are above being an utter dumbass. You should trust me when I say you that you are currently being the stupidest smart person I´ve ever met… which is really saying something when you take Heathcliff´s existence into account.“ I growled at him.

„Uhhh… I´m confused, was that an insult or a compliment?“ Heathcliff whispered behind me.

Ishmael was equally as confused. „I think it was both… somehow.“

I paid no mind to the whispers behind my back. „You have no reason to believe Dongbaek on this matter. You have no reason to believe me or my coworkers, either. In fact, there´s only one person you would believe and he´s standing over there.“ I nodded towards Dongrang. „So, Mr. Dongrang…“ I said as condescendingly as I could manage. „...would you so kindly explain what the real essence of the healing ampules before Samjo decides to jump in just to prove the point and fail miserably?“

„Explain? But those are-?“

„You´ve already said plenty for anyone with half a brain to figure out that healing ampules are not nanobots. Though some processing is needed to the base liquid and its origin is still shrouded in darkness, there´s no denying it any longer. And hey, Mr. Dongrang, you do happen to have a truth tablet in your pocket, remember? Perfect solution to the situation, readily available and safe.“

„No… no it can´t be… Mr. Dongrang wouldn´t…“ Samjo stammered, laughing at first, but looking at Dongrang whose smile has faltered for a moment, his eyes bolting between me and him. Samjo paused for a moment before forming his question. „W-What does the unprocessed liquid do, Mr. Dongrang?“

It wasn´t a question at all. It was a plea. A plea for Dongrang to tell him that the liquid was completely safe and that everyone around him saying otherwise was either misinformed or a liar. Sadly, Dongrang was not exactly the sort to hide the facts once he´s been found out.

„Its function is to revert things to how they were originally. The regeneration ampules available now are a product of numerous refining processes. When a person who has lost an arm takes the ampule, they’ll remember having the arm as its original state. When someone with a dent in the head takes the ampule, their head will be restored to the shape they remember to be how it originally was.“ He said calmly. I could practically hear Samjo smile victoriously… but Dongrang continued, replacing Samjo´s smile with a sort of realization. „But, when a drop of tear that lacks any kind of interpretation by its receiver touches someone… They’d be reverted all the way back… to the original form of humanity.“

„The… original form?“ Samjo asked, dumbstruck.

„Or should I say it helps you go back to that state? Although it tries… it doesn’t seem to be capable of making a person fully reach that state. It consequently removes pain, but, well… so, are you satisfied, Alighiero? You were right, congratulations... now, what is it you really want, Dongbaek?

I looked at Samjo who watched Dongrang dismiss him as soon as he finished… maybe because he didn´t want to watch the resolve of his favorite secretary crumble or perhaps because he genuinely could not care less. Samjo stood in place, frozen, looking at Dongrang, as if in a trance. He didn´t even notice when the chewed up lollipop stick fell out of his mouth.

„The Singularity.“ Dongbaek replied. „Permanently destroying it and everything related by using the concept incinerator.“

Seeing that Samjo wasn´t recovering anytime soon from his shock, I returned to the Sinners. I bore the brunt of their stares and unvoiced questions with quiet grace. I did accomplish what I set out to do. I prevented Samjo from jumping into the vat of tears.

„Concept incinerator, huh. You’ll use it again? So, Dongbaek… Let’s say that you do successfully return to an age of nothingness… What comes next? Chop trees, build huts, make clothes out of leather… Is that the kind of life you want? Mourning the lost lives of trees and animals you’ve killed? Look, Dongbaek… With an attitude like that… you’ll be nothing more than a primitive amateur. Are you really sure that’s what you want?“

For the first time that day, Dongrang´s words held another kind of emotion besides placid calmness. Something sharp.

„You… always ask stupid questions, then and now. We decided to use vile technology as tools to get rid of their vile creators. Thus, no one can remain in the future we envision. That’s why we could be free. From the obsession with survival.“

„Haha, what are you talking about?“ Dongrang laughed, hiding his previous angrier side once more. „So you weren’t envisioning a future; you just can’t let go of the past.“

„Both of you… Stop this. I don’t want old feuds repeating before my eyes.“ Yi Sang stepped in, trying to break their argument apart. I found myself wondering if it was often like that in the past.

„Yi Sang, you look fine.“ Dongbaek commented as she looked Yi Sang over.

Gregor interjected. „You say it like you're relieved. Didn’t you want him-“

Dongbaek nodded, not sparing a moment to look at Gregor. „You’re right. I wanted him to die. But I’m sure he wished for the same. He wouldn’t resist while it dug into his heart. It was unpleasant - it felt like I was granting your wish.“

It was terrifying in a sense, to see Yi Sang not raise even the smallest objection to that statement.

„Seems to me both of you got a few screws loose. You think pushing someone off a cliff can be justified because that person was hesitating?“ Gregor spoke again. He must´ve seen many terribly suicidal comrades in the Smoke War, I realized.

„Hesi— Haah, why don’t we hear it from the person himself, then?“ Dongbaek scoffed in Gregor´s direction.

„I have no words to say.“ Yi Sang sighed.

„This conversation is over, then.“ She replied with a sad smile. „I’m frankly glad it is. I’ll take this opportunity to kill two of my old companions with my own hands. Then I‘ll seize and burn the Singularity.“

She took up a broken umbrella. I knew better than to get in her way.

„Dante-“

„I know. I´ve got it, don´t worry.“ They replied, slotting identities into their respective slots. I noted they put Yi Sang on the bench. The Sinners were more than happy to oblige and take out Dongbaek in his stead. However, even at her most desperate, she wouldn´t go down so easily.

She coughed up bloody mucus as she staggered back.

„Hemoptysis. An optimistic sign.“ Outis commented pragmatically.

„Even with the repeated training with Qliphoth deterrence, abuse of E.G.O will still push the user’s body to the limit.“ Faust nodded.

Dongrang stepped towards Dongbaek.

„Will you return the Golden Bough now, Dongbaek? I was supposed to hand it over to my guests over here, signed in some complicated contract with several stamps… So I can’t go back on my words here.“

„Proudly… boasting your… ignorance… still…“ She growled at him. Not even her pitiful state could stop her from resenting him. I could respect that.

„And you are weak. Still. Even with the E.G.O from Lobotomy Corp, this was below my expectations, Dongbaek. Besides… I haven’t even introduced you to the technology I developed.“

„Mr. Dongrang… that´s against the-“ Samjo. Who seemed to have recovered from his previous shock, was hardly himself enough to stop Dongrang.

„I know, why don’t we hold our first conference in a while?“ Dongrang said. He walked up to the workstation and pressed a series of buttons, bringing the system back online. It was pointless to try and stop him. Even if I tried I would fail because I realized a second too late what was happening.

„The daily audiovisual feed has been sent.“

The announcement rang between the walls of the Screening room.

„So, tell me, Dongbaek…How bigger can your despair grow?“ Dongrang said with a cruel smile.

„Ahhhhh!! Help me!!!“ The screams of the recording of the bull´s rampage filled the room. I did my best to try and appear shocked, in case there were some security cameras. There was no way I could explain not being surprised if that was the case.

„What’s up with this sound?“ Ishmael asked before turning around and seeing the source. Samjo stared at it, too. It was difficult to tell if he was more amazed, confused or horrified by the sight.

„Is that the footage those drones filmed while we were fighting the Abnormality on the street?“ Gregor asked in disbelief.

„I read the threat you sent, Dongbaek. Said you’ll release an Abnormality on the streets if I don’t speak about the Singularity. I knew you were always fond of radical events… But I didn’t think you’d actually do it.“ Dongrang smiled. „Of course… It produced a lot more tears. All thanks to you.“

„No… I wasn’t planning to release it. It escaped. You ignored my warning!“ Dongbaek spoke slowly, each word painful to push out through her vocal chords. I grew more and more disgusted with Dongrang, so much so I had to close my eyes for a moment, going back to the moment in the morning when Vergilius asked everyone to try to not do anything to anger the client.

Dongrang didn´t make it easy, either.

„If I responded there, that’d mean admitting that our lab had been experimenting on Abnormalities arbitrarily. Thank goodness our contractors happened to be near the Nest when it happened.“ My eyes snapped open. I could not shut him out.

I tried to focus on Samjo who had since tore his eyes away from the eyeball. He was staring at Dongrang as he dug with words like daggers, deeper and deeper under Dongbaek´s skin.

„So it was all part of your plan to have us run into the breached Abnormality?“ Ishmael asked. „Samjo, did you know about this?“

Samjo shook his head. He was pale and sweating profusely. „I didn´t…“

„It was closer to an experiment than a plan. The possibility of failure was kept in mind, but I had evidence to trust that you’d make it through. I’ve been keeping an eye on your for longer than you might think. I told you, didn’t it?“ He grinned. „I’m a fan of yours.“

„No, Sinclair! It’s always been the other way around… I am the one who grips…!“

„How is this… I don’t think I want to watch.“ Sinclair cried out.

Recordings of burning Calw appeared on the screens around the eyeball. I would have lunged at Dongrang if it haven´t been for one particular screen that showed my own suffocating face… with the shadowy child atop the roof above me, raining shining starry globs that melted my attackers into puddles of liquid that held no reflections. It remained as mysterious as ever, but seeing it again, I did notice something else aside from the creepy laugh I heard that night.

Its eyes glowed like two pale stars, as it played a thin flute when it caused the strange rain.

I looked around. Faust, too was captivated by that particular screen. She looked at me briefly. For a moment, I could tell that there was something about it that she understood better than I have. It made me uneasy.

„We generated record tears that time as well. It played a significant part in securing the award, I might add.“ Dongrang continued. „The employees of a certain department in N Corp. weren’t the best people to talk with, but I was able to procure fresh audiovisual feed thanks to them.“

Rodion gasped. „That means… the reason N Corp. could get away with such cruelties in a residential area in Nest K was-“

„This is what the deal entailed.“ Meursault finished for her.

Dongrang smiled as he looked up at the eyeball, endlessly tortured by the images of pain and suffering. „I think I remember a certain fellow saying this: while Brother Young-ji's 'glass window' was innovative, it was simply too vast to freely wield, especially for a coarse man like me.“

Dongbaek gasped for air, repeatedly, as if she was drowning in all that suffering herself.

„Ah, Dongbaek. Was it you?“ He turned to her, marveling at the pain he was putting her in.

„What is… Are you…“ Dongbaek stumbled back a little.

„There just were never enough tears. I mean, look around you, and see how many people are suffering here. So they’ll be doing the crying for us. With no time to shut their eyes.“

„Respectably…“ Samjo stepped towards Dongrang, shaking, but resolute. „…Mr. Dongrang, this is madness… it´s horribly ...inefficient... to-to depend on… all of this, just for the…. tears… of that thing...“

Samjo´s words gradually faded into obscurity as the reality was overwritten with imagery of the past.

I only made minor modifications to Brother Young-ji’s work. I wanted to show a reflection of any possibility in its unvarnished image. That is why I am considering the name for it:

Yi Sang 'Mirror'.

I wish that this will serve as a tool of entertainment… giving us more joy.

Dongbaek

Is this why I haven't been able to see you lately? To discover this?

Dongrang, why are you laughing like that?

Dongrang

It’s just funny that you’re talking so ferociously when your eyes are full of curious twinkles.

Dongbaek

Yi Sang, will you tell him to shut it?

Dongrang

Why don’t you hide your astonishment of a child who’s tried ice cream for the first time on your face first?

Mouths unable to hold laughter.

Exclamations of amazement.

Smiles at each other.

Eyes glowing brighter than stars.

Everyone there felt… pure joy.

I only wished that all this… w ould remain a simple recreation.

„The glass window… wasn’t made for this kind of wicked degeneracy.“ Dongbaek cried out. I could not agree more. Using it for news coverage would be one thing, but inflicting endless torment on any being just to generate endless stream of healing tears was another kind of evil.

„We’re having an important moment. Please mind your language.“ Dongrang brushed Dongbaek off. „And I know what you’re saying. Brother Young-ji would have scolded me for this. Ah, but did you know, though? We’re no longer in the time when we used to cheer over toy-like inventions… the applause won’t be as loud with how few of us that remain now.“

„Applause? Is that what you expect for this?“ Samjo walked up to Dongrang. He was no longer shaking. „To think that I looked up to you and this Wing for so long… quite literally my entire life… you disgust me Dongrang. The Technology Liberation Alliance members that attacked us were ruthless, cutting through the researchers with ease, attack after attack... that much is true, but you… you are cruel for the enjoyment of it…“

„Come on, Samjo… are we really so different in that regard?“

„It... appears so.“ Samjo was shaking violently, gritting his teeth and breathing heavily. „No need… I have no need of… more...“

Suddenly, Samjo fell to the floor, silent like a falling petal… twisting and turning until nothing remained… except a wheel of sharp edges, bound by few shreds of vestigial flesh.

It all happened so quickly I barely registered it. In one moment, there was Samjo… and in the other, there was peccatulum in his place, with a single hateful eye staring in Dongrang´s direction. Its wounded pride was enough to send the wheel barrelling towards him.

With a wet squishing sound an umbrella stopped the wheel in its tracks. The wheel broke and fell, never to stand on its own again.

„You’re just struggling to let go. Isn’t that right?“ Dongrang turned back to Dongbaek, fully intending to break her spirit completely as she stared at remains of what used to be Samjo. „You give your grand speeches about the evil of technology… But that’s no more than a pretext you made up on the way as a means to garner support. To reach your true goal.“

Though robbed of that single wheel, the world kept rolling without it.

„You claim to fight the vile technology, but you yourself are being plenty vile. When your group took over the Lobotomy branch facility where I just happened to be conducting my research… You probably told your followers that it was to investigate the Singularity, but in reality, you figured out that you could find pieces of technology you could use as weapons, didn’t you? Like E.G.O. I wonder who gave you all that precious information. Shrenne couldn’t have known that. How about a game of twenty questions, will you tell me that way?“

„Don’t talk like you know everything. That attitude of yours…always annoyed me.“ Dongbaek said through her teeth, weaker and weaker by the second.

I tried nudging Dante about it, but it was as if they were held in a sort of a trance. Meanwhile, Dongrang just kept laughing in Donbaek´s face.

„Haha, then let me act like I know about just one more thing. When we peeked through Brother Young-ji’s glass window… and when we got a glimpse of worlds reflected in Yi Sang’s mirror… We felt the euphoria and schism we would never be able to recover from.“

Dongbaek gasped mournfully. „Since the moment the glass window was made… All sorts of interest groups came knocking on the door...Right… While we may think… that we left the League of our own volition… We all know what actually happened… We were actually just torn apart and scattered away…“ She looked Dongrang in the eyes, with the glare of clarity. „And that the reason for it came from the inside…“

„Dongbaek, even if you put my work in the concept incinerator, we won’t be able to go back to those innocent times. You know that, right? Hmm… Even though you are aware… you still can't give up your obsession…“ Dongrang continued, as if he was simply solving some complex puzzle.

„……“

„Ah, now I get it. If someone were to discover the incinerated technologies again…Other nameless fellows with other dreams… would feel the same euphoria we once felt. That’s what you wanted to happen. Since we can’t return to the past ourselves… You were going to recreate the past for coming generations. Wow, what a cute and unique idea, Dongbaek.“ He smiled, but there was not a drop of sincerity in the expression.

„M-Miss Dongbaek… Your body…“ Sinclair was first to snap out of the prolonged silence at last, while Dongbaek muttered into emptiness, as if she was talking to someone. Then, branches carrying golden-yellow petals began sprouting from her body, sharp and bloodied, carrying the same scent that traveled with her wherever she went.

„Yes… I’ll bury it… deep in the sand… hide them…“ Dongbaek breathed heavily, ignoring the world around her. The fight was imminent, so I poked Dante, pointing to their tablet wordlessly. They nodded in understanding. „For someone to find… some day…We… didn’t discover the technologies because we were better or had exclusive rights to…You may be right, I fooled everyone including myself into working for my own goals… It was… the land we tilled… that was fertile…“

„That’s disheartening to hear. Are you going to discredit all our efforts that went into plowing the soil, missing out on sights of flowers? Back then, we were naive amateurs, and the past you refuse to forget is just a fleeting moment seen through rose-tinted glasses. Did your colleagues who gave their lives to the cause know this, though? That the cause you exclaimed was only a specious banner to lure people with. That it was as vain as a cloud on the sky.“

Dongrang drew on and on, as if winding a jack-in-a-box toy.

„No… And yet… I’m finally seeing myself better now. Which is why I should plant the sprout and cover it with dirt with my own hands, isn’t that right? The bud has fallen… and our fruit has long since withered…It must be covered with dirt again… let other fruits be borne…“ Dongbaek said, brandishing one of the branches that have grown from her body like a lance.

„Hey… Is it really okay to let her be? You know… Your mind doesn’t work right when you’re using E.G.O…“ Rodion worried. She had not yet picked up on the fact that we would have to fight Dongbaek – both to put her out of the misery and to gain access to the Golden Bough.

„There is nothing we can do about this.“ I said, my eyes dropping to the small pile that remained of Samjo. „Once the process of realizing one´s E.G.O. has begun, it cannot be stopped.“

„Now hold on… is he you doing that on purpose…? Taunting her as much as he can…“ Heathcliff asked. He wasn´t as smart in the same way as Faust or Yi Sang, but when he wanted to, he could clearly figure people´s intentions quickly.

„Waiting for her to tire herself out…“ Outis added.

I nodded. „It´s obvious, isn´t it?“

Heathcliff gripped his bat as it transformed into a broken umbrella. „Blimey…. First the Samjo guy and now that lady friend of his and Yi Sang´s… Dongrang sure is one hell of a prick.“ He said solemnly.

„…Back to the innocent times, now without us.“ Dongbaek mumbled.

„Ah, innocence…No words are as embarrassing as that.“ Dongrang sighed. As much as I yearned to punch his face into the floor, it would be a futile effort and an unjust one. If anyone deserved to end Dongrang´s life, it was Yi Sang.

„Only by confronting his shadow could his wings shine in the light of the sun.“

I heard a strange voice speak. It wasn´t intelligible at all, yet I understood what was said. There was no source to be found, just shadowy corners all around where the light of the projected recordings didn´t shine. First who crossed my mind was Carmen, but the voice was not feminine nor warm. It was just a sound, in its most basic form.

„Oi, keep it together!“ Heathcliff nudged me. „Can´t afford you to lose your marbles, too.“

„Right… I´m okay. Just… spaced out a little.“ I shook my head and focused on the situation at hand.

Dongrang laughed shortly as he looked at Dongbaek still. „No one can shake your mind like I do, then and now. Isn’t that right?“

„No, I feel like my mind is blooming wider than ever. I’ve always wished to be a bud, soon to burst into bloom. Shrouded in scent all over the body…“ Yet more branches sprouted with golden, blood-soaked petals. Dongbaek´s clothes changed too and in her hand appeared a flowery fan. „Even if this is my own heart-wrenching path, understood by no one… I’ll still leave behind a morrow, strong and fertile like fallen petals.“

A fight opened, with Dongbaek attacking twice as viciously as before. The heavy scent of flowers had taken hold in my mind, inescapable even though I was away from the fray, next to Dante. Then, I realized.

They had a clock for a head, they could not smell… therefore the scent could not affect them. I, however, had no such benefit. Dongbaek must´ve realized so, too as her fan waved a gust of golden petals my way.

Then, I saw it. The scenery has changed to a peaceful valley underneath blue sky with pillowy white clouds. The screening room faded away, replaced by that bright, beautiful land… I was captivated, longing to frolic in the green grass with not a care in the world.

And I would´ve, had Dante not gripped my arm and brought me down to the reality.

„Alighiero, snap out of it!“

I realized I couldn´t move because my body was entangled in a tree. A particular set of branches has encircled my windpipe, threatening to crush it at moment´s notice… and I didn´t even notice until several people were hacking at the branches and pulling me out of that organic prison.

Dongbaek has delivered blow after the blow to the main group and had just managed to trap all but one.

Yi Sang.

I saw Dante hesitate. There were too many targets and Dongbaek was about to attack Yi Sang. If they didn´t duel Dongbaek, they would for sure lose and give her an opportunity to trap me again.

If they lost, we would all be dead.

„Dante, you gotta fight her head on if we want to make it out!“

I hoped they understood. Luckily, I was right and Yi Sang didn´t lose either of the two decisive clashes.

The Sinners trapped within branches were freed and all at once lunged at Dongbaek, delivering the last few blows before she stumbled back, bloom of golden-yellow petals descending on the floor all around us like rain of soft sunshine.

„Why don’t we look at it this way? Did you know that a new League of Nine has been formed in N Corp?“ Dongrang stepped towards her, as if he longed to help her to her feet.

She was wheezing, last of her strength leaving her body as she fought back against gravity with each second… just to keep standing.

„They seem to be recruiting the old members and their technologies, similar to what you tried to do. Though, it looks like they’re trying to erase that past, rather. This is purely conjecture, but we’re all doomed to die at the hands of our dear fellow Gubo and be taxidermied, one after another.“ Dongrang said, so calmly I could almost believe that it was something he earnestly wanted. „All I did was bring that predetermined death a bit earlier. Besides… You’ve gone too far for our past friendship to forgive, Dongbaek. Ahh~ I was looking forward to the staff dinner tomorrow, I really was.“

From nowhere, he pulled the Golden Bough, gleaming ever-so-softly. „ Come on, then… It’s time you ceased the bloom, Dongbaek.“

He thrust it into Dongbaek´s body without moment´s hesitation. Although surprised and in pain… I could almost see relief wash over her face.

With the Golden Bough in hand, Dongrang stabs Dongbaek without hesitation.

„But why…“ Yi Sang asked in a pained voice, his steps carrying him to Dongbaek´s side.

„I could state many reasons, but… right, let’s say this is my parting act of compassion.“ Dongrang said softly.

I sincerely wished I was more like Heathcliff: strong, impulsive, careless about what my actions would mean for the future… just to be able to jump at Dongrang´s throat and rip it out. To feel his warm blood trickle from the wound. To watch him smear floor with it as he begged for merciful, quick death blow that I would deny with a smile as wide as his own.

But I wasn´t like Heathcliff.

„I knew I’d have to wilt when the time came, but… I… always… Wished to be a bud… soon to bloom, bearing the scent within… Like you, Yi Sang… How you dreamed… of flying…Like that… I just… wanted to be buried… under a piquant scent of flowers… with you all…“ Dongbaek spoke her last as she faded away.

„New feed has been added.“

An announcement sounded in the room – a cruel reminder of where we stood. Soon, the screens around the eyeball filled with yellow petals.

Dongbaek

Thank you, Yi Sang. For showing me such a moment. I would dedicate my entire life to repay you for this favor…

Dongrang

Hey, Yi Sang, what say you to setting up a lab with me? I get the feeling every day spent with you will be a fun one.

Young-ji

Amazing, Yi Sang. Unlike me, you attempted to reflect the true image in all its uprightness. The images don’t overlap… They aren’t blurry or shaky.

Gubo

Yi Sang, you’re too lax. Why on earth would you leave it as a plaything when it can be so much more?

???

Be still. Just be still, and do nothing more than breathe. For now, that’s how you must live.

You cannot fly.

Gubo

The League has fallen apart! We have to leave this place. Yi Sang, you will come with me. You can close your eyes if you so wish. Since you’re too faint-hearted, I’ll see ahead in your stead.

„What are you thinking?“ Dongrang´s voice carried in the strange space as it twisted around us.

„……Nothing.“ Yi Sang replied.

And the scent of the grave was in full bloom.

Chapter Text

When the world around us settled, it was a different place from the Screening room where we were before.

„Did the Golden Bough have the power do to this? I don't think we’ve even entered the fathoms of ego yet… Was it capable of warping the real world?“ Ishmael asked in a concerned voice.

„Excitement or questions over matters related to the Golden Boughs have little meaning.“ Faust replied. „To you, and to Faust… All of us would be the very first witnesses to what is happening before our eyes… perhaps aside from Alighiero who has seen much of things we can only imagine.“

I had nothing to refute her claim.

Faust continued. „It would be statistically sound to assume that we will continue to witness previously unseen events in the future.“

„I suppose you’re right… I mean, look at that…“ Unable to properly articulate her words any further, Ishmael pointed with her finger instead. I followed the direction with my eyes and stumbled on a pretty distressing sight. „Even the dead… are coming back…“

The corpses began to rise. I looked to Faust for answer on it, since I couldn´t remember any zombies ever playing big role in K Corp. as I knew it… unless the Sinners were the „zombies“ in question.

Gregor winced. „Huh, I’ve seen some stuff, but bringing people back from the dead… sounds too implausible. Even K Corp’s HP ampules couldn’t do this much, right?“ He turned to Outis of all people. And surprisingly, she did answer him, too.

„It’s unlikely that there was absolutely no technology or Singularity capable of complete revival at some point. However, if such technology did exist… I, for one, haven’t heard of it once even during war.“ She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. „That can only mean… it’s not a kind of technology allowed to prosper in the City. …If I had to guess, the Head might…“

Faust was happy to infodump. „Indeed. It may well be an act of taboo as established by the Head. It’s completely different from Limbus Company’s case, where we can experience revival by synchronizing with Dante.“

„It’s different, and wrong.“ Meursault commented, without much, if any, emotion to his voice. „Theirs is not a complete restoration, unlike our case. They’re merely… Animated. That is all. They appear to lack consciousness and reason.“

Yup, those were most definitely zombies.

„Seems that way… In other words, I guess it would only count as a taboo if both the mind and body are recovered.“

Faust said nothing on the matter, which was… a little concerning. I had no time to think on it, as the animated bodies shambled towards us.

„Unh… Ahheahii…“

„Dante, do you feel the Golden Bough’s presence nearby?“ Faust asked plainly as she dismembered one of the bodies in a clean arc of her zweihander. „Last time I saw, the Golden Bough was lodged into Dongbaek’s body.“

„I can’t see her corpse anywhere… Must have been moved away when the space twisted.“ Dante replied. „But it can’t be too far away, I’m sure of it. I can feel it.“

„Ah, I don’t see Dongrang, either.“ Sinclair commented, looking around the place along with Ryoshu.

„Don´t bother. He’s likely to be in the same location as the deceased Dongbaek. If only to hold onto the Golden Bough until we returned.“

We trekked after Dante like little ducklings, while their head guided them towards the Bough.

„So the fathoms of Yi Sang’s ego are over there…“ Sinclair pointed at what looked like a dimensional ass-crack leading to a different, monochromatic place.

„Come on, let’s get in.“ Dante commanded. Without another question, we all followed their lead.

A disembodied voice spoke up.

„Wow, I sure didn't expect I’d be back here. Is this thanks to the Golden Bough? Or is it you, Yi Sang?“

It was Dongrang, greeting us merrily. We found ourselves in a small, but quaint room.

„How cozy… What place is this, Yi Sang?“ Rodya asked curiously.

„The only place where I may breathe… That’s what this was.“ He replied solemnly.

Dante walked up to a faded, beat up desk. On top of it were stack and stacks of papers covered in text that looked like it was written on a typewriter.

„There are stacks of paper on the desk.“

Rodion laughed. „Aha… Yes, you see, usually, these are placed for visitors like us to read.“

Yi Sang quietly picked up a stack and silently read what was written on the paper. He then lifted his eyes to speak. „A letter, I had written once… And its structure… follows that of a play’s script… but you already knew this, did you not?“ He turned to me.

„I did. Like a number of things that have come to pass today…“ I sighed, weighing what little I remembered from the passage that in the game felt almost like threading through deep water. It was marginally less difficult than confronting what happened to Samjo as a result of my meddling.

„Is it reasonable to assume that each actor in the play was provided with one?“ Meursault asked.

„Yes. There is a finite number of roles though, so not everyone will get to have lines.“

„If so… This may well be a stage awaiting our arrival, rather than a simple emptiness.“ Yi Sang commented in an almost hollow voice.

„From the looks of it… We’ll have to read out this script, right?“ Dongrang said as he waltzed past Yi Sang and picked up a stack of his own. I breathed in and out slowly a few times, in an effort to not jump at his throat right away. He, like some of the Sinners, played a role in the play. He couldn´t die just yet, no matter what angle I looked at the situation from. „Maybe Dongbaek might just come, Yi Sang.“

Getting no reaction out of him, Dongrang continued. „If Dongbaek got to this… space before she died… Haha, I’m not sure what I should call this. Anyway, if the entrance opened while she was alive… Her consciousness might have been wrapped up in this, as ours were.“

„…For what reason did you stab Dongbaek?“ Yi Sang asked him, script still in hand.

„She hesitated a little too much… What, did you want this kind of eulogy from me?“

„The reason, I’ll hear it.“ Yi Sang stepped closer, quiet rage desperately clawing to the surface through the heavy blanket of apathy.

„No, it’s really… You knew as well, Yi Sang. In that state, Dongbaek’s death was imminent… Her life would’ve painfully scattered away if I let her be.“

„If you had not intervened she would not be pushed into second bout of fighting.“ I glared at him, crossing my arms. „She was already defeated before you took it into your head that you would willfully torment her… and not just her but Samjo, too.“ Slowly, I made my way closer to him. Though he did his best to hide it by putting his hands into his pockets, I could tell they were trembling. „Their blood is on your hands and you know it. After all, you are one of the top researchers here. You´d have to be completely deluded to think otherwise.“

He laughed in my face. „Why lash out at me? The anger boiling inside you makes no difference.“

„You are right. My anger makes no difference.“ I leaned in and whispered to him. „However, your actions have had very clear consequences – your hands are shaking.“

„How do you-“

„Takes one to know the other.“ I simply said before turning away from him.

Faust cleared her throat. „This time, the fathoms of ego… might present themselves differently from the previous ones.“ She pulled me back by my arm, probably in fear that I would actually attack Dongrang – which was a fair assessment. „The fathoms of ego are places or images of someone’s mind made manifest. It releases a powerful and complex energy… It might draw in people other than the Sinners, like those deeply related to Yi Sang in this case.“

„That so? To put it bluntly… It dragged in a bunch of clowns to act on stage, is that right?“ Heathcliff scratched the back of his head, pondering on the situation.

Faust did briedly look to me for a confirmation, which I gave readily enough. „Yes, I suppose that’s about right. We’ll have to do our best with our given roles.“

„And if we don’t?“ Ryoshu asked, fingers grazing over her odachi.

„The image displayed by the fathoms of ego will go awry… ultimately preventing our access to the Golden Bough. We must reenact the original’s—in other words, Yi Sang’s—actual memories as closely as possible.“ Faust said calmly, stopping the situation from escalating. Though obviously unhappy, Ryoshu relented.

„Alright, I got that clear enough. So-“ Heathcliff cleared his throat and jumped, caught off guard as the door behind him opened. „What the-?! I almost jumped out of my skin!“

„I had people who accompanied me, either by caprice, coincidence… or fate.“ Yi Sang read out of the script, his voice rather soft as he recalled past events.

„What a fascinating line.“ Dongrang commented.

„Why did you stand in front of the door like a dork?“ A memory of Dongbaek materialized in the Fathoms, creeping behind Heathcliff.

„…What did you call me? Wait… Aren't you the one that just…“

„What are you staring at my face for, like you were looking at a dead person? Why, do I look cool?“ Dongbaek of the Fathoms laughed in his face.

Sinclair stepped in next, picking another script. „S-She’s right, Gap-ryong, don’t act like such a country bumpkin. Do you want your mannerisms to match your name?“

„The hell are you saying now… What is it?“ Heathcliff eyed Sinclair as if he was just going to bash his head in with his bat.

Sinclair quicly whispered an apology. „Eep, I’m just reading from the script, Mr. Heathcliff. The script…! That’s just what mine says.“

„What are you whispering like that?“ Dongbaek asked, raising an eyebrow at the two of them.

„You know, Dongbaek. Gap-ryong was thinking back to how we all managed to gather here at T Corp.“ Dongrang said, for once being actually useful.

„That really bugs me… Oi, don't call me by that name.“ Heathcliff grumbled.

„Good acting. The real Gap-ryong always used to ask us not to call him by his name, too.“ Dongrang replied, not at all concerned about his safety even though Heathcliff, looked like he was considering using his bat as the main problem solver.

Silently, Outis looked through yet another script.

„It is now your turn to speak, Sang-heo.“ Yi Sang looked at her. Outis noticed and proceeded to clear her throat before speaking.

„Ahem. Ah… So…As one might know, our hometown, S Corp’s district, was going through a turbulent time, many things breaking and changing.“ I watched her face intently. Something about it was almost pensive, as if S corp was a kind of familiar place for her. Or maybe it was just the circumstance of its nature. I had no way of knowing for sure.

„Because of daydreaming higher-ups who tell sweet-sounding words with no substance and corrupt officials squeezing the people, the public’s lives and economy teetered and twisted more and more each day…“

It almost looked like shadow of guilt.

„With no guarantees of arrangements between Wings or positions to apply for, researchers like us who pursued the studies of knowledge struggle to find even a simple bolt to help ourselves. That was when Brother Young-ji brought us together.“

„Ah…I was the one who called Yi Sang and Dongbaek. We grew up in the same town.“ Dongrang corrected Outis, who briefly glanced back at the script.

„…Right, Brother Young-ji and Dongrang brought us together.“

Hong Lu settled into his role as naturally as a fish into a pond. „There, I suggested: The Wing called T Corp. is seeing remarkable technological growth nowadays, generously backing inventions of machines and technology… so it should be no problem at all to get any part we need; there, all the people invent for a living.“ He continued, eyes straying to Meursault whose hands caught the script next. „So, the like-minded ones defected to the district empty-handed, risking everything.“

„As everyone wished… We were free to continue our research here.“ Meursault read. „Even though we had to yield the colors in them, making it so they didn’t outwardly shine.“

It was a little strange, to see all colors faded into sepia as I had a moment to consider it. I didn´t dislike it as much as I thought I would, but I knew that if that was all the color range I knew on top of my time of day being my currency, I would not last alive for long.

„In T Corp’s district, having colors is a kind of privilege.“ Faust informed the Sinners.

„They take away colors?“ I heard Sinclair ask in a small, slightly terrified tone.

Ishmael nodded in an understanding I didn´t really expect from her. „Colors establish identity. There are few better ways to rob one of uniqueness than this. Isn’t that right?“

Maybe reading all the pamphlets was what gave her such an outlook. Ahab may have taken away the agency of the Pequod crewmembers, but even she could not take away their individuality.

„For sure.“ Faust replied.

Then, a second later a thought struck me.

Queequeg.

Ishmael´s canto was next after Yi Sang´s and with it came several things to keep in mind. After seeing how I fared with Samjo, I caught myself doubting my ability to do anything significant. After all, I didn´t even know if my actions did save Effie´s life – I only assumed they have.

Maybe I´ve been lying to myself all along. Maybe, I didn´t have any say in things that have come to pass, only how they happened.

It would explain Samjo turning into a peccatula all too well. He wasn´t meant to survive.

„Hey, Aneung, are you gonna keep chatting away?“ Dongbaek asked. „The conference is today. Watch, I’ve made a vibrant amusement.“

The amusement turned out to be a small lightshow of fizzling sparks of a firework. Though virtually colorless, the sharp edges and twinkling of the sparks was very eye-catching.

„Look. It blows up better than before, doesn’t it?“

„I have to wonder what is up with your obsession with explosives… I mean, fireworks, Dongbaek.“ Ishmael read from the script, momentarily slipping into her own words.

„Here, you can’t see stars in the night sky thanks to blinding lights and smokestacks filling the air. The stars were so pretty in my hometown, it was fun watching them together...“

Stars.

I was reminded of the swirling, colorful pools created by the dark-silhouetted child that saved me. Their colors were so vibrant and alive that I doubted that even T Corp. could make them so colorless.

„...what’s more, there’s no color here. Where we were, we could at least see the colors of flowers. So… I wanted to bring it back in some way. Look. Even if it’s all black and white, you can still see it, right?“ She looked into the monochrome flames with a smile. „Fire makes such a warm color.“

„I’m a bit embarrassed. I don’t have anything to show off for now.“ Dongrang admitted with a sorry expression. It wasn´t one he had made for the entire duration of the day, even as his employees begged him for help.

„Is that really something to admit so merrily?“ Dongbaek replied, rolling her eyes at him.

„Haha, treating injured animals on the streets took much of my time.“ Dongrang said, his tone apologetic, but firm. „I couldn’t leave them be. They reminded me of the yellow calf I left behind in my hometown.“

A rare glimpse into what kind of a man he used to be before K Corp. turned his heart into a warped mess. Though, was it really K Corp´s fault or his own for letting the world change him for the worse?

„It used to like you so much. I don’t get what it saw in you.“

„It was abandoned by its mother. Seeking warmth to lean on is an instinct all living beings have.“

I didn´t think that those words could´ve had any affect on me – not until I felt that painful pang in my throat. I swallowed it, pushing the uncomfortable feeling deeper within.

Luckily, no one seemed to notice that fleeting moment of weakness because a very important sound caught their attention.

„Agh… Urrgiahh…“

„Oh, bother… Here we go again.“ Dongbaek grumbled. „Gap-ryong, looks like the bar owner is here to take the tab you owe again. Why don’t you go outside and greet them?“

„What the, those crooks… How’d they get here?“ Heathcliff said. He was going off script, but that would be the least of our concerns if we chose to ignore the forces trying to break down the door.

„The strong resonance of the Golden Bough with Yi Sang is affecting the entire laboratory building.“ Faust explained. „They were caught up it in as well, but they have no ties to Yi Sang. Since they weren’t given any roles in the play… they’ll instead try to ruin the stage. It’ll only get worse as the fathoms grow unstable.“

„In other words, we have to be quick with moving the play’s plot along.“ Ishmael nodded, turning to me. „The more time we spend fooling around like a certain complete oaf instead of reading what the script says, the more enemies will attack us.“ She added, cracking her joints.

„Got it.“ I walked up to Dante, but as I found, the team was fairly well-built. I smiled. „You lean quickly, I´ll give you that. This is a good setup.“

„Heh… thanks.“ Dante couldn´t smile, but I could see that their shoulders did seem to loosen a bit at the unexpected praise as they hurried with the combat.

As I stood back, I looked at dongrang who seemed… almost sad. Or maybe sad wasn´t quite the right word for it.

„Reminiscing?“ I whispered to him, surprising even myself with how civil I was with him. He smiled at me.

„Quite. This place… is rather peculiar, I must admit. Had I known that the Bough was capable of all this, I would not have given it up so easily. Then again, Samjo did his best to warn me…“

I turned away from Dongrang at that mention.

„It´s okay. I´ve always had a feeling his life would end quite gruesomely.“

I didn´t want to talk to him, but staying quiet didn´t seem like a viable option. „If I didn´t stop him... he would have jumped into the vat of tears…“

„He wouldn´t feel a thing, no… but where´s the beauty in that?“ Dongrang laughed quietly. „Honestly, I am quite happy he had something to feel in his last moments… even if it was one last expression of his prideful endeavor to bring me to my senses… thank you for that, truly.“

„Haaah…“ I sighed deeply. Though he annoyed me and I could not wait for him to shut up already… he was oddly enough growing on me. I hated it.

I hope you have been well since we conversed last.

I see flowers bloom outside, and the birds chirp every now and then.

Though the scents of flowers spread as they like, they create a rather sweet smell once mingled in one place.

I wonder if you have taken in such a smell.

Yi Sang´s voice echoed in the Fathoms, but I couldn´t know if the Sinners heard it or not. I was at least partially sure that Dante did, however, because they lifted their head at the sound.

Hong Lu flipped through the pages of a previously discarded script. „I was always worried about the gloom on Dongbaek’s face… But the things she presents at the illuminators’ conferences are relieving to see; they carry a certain joy with them. Can I take that as her way of indirectly expressing the smiles she couldn’t make at us?

„Well, take it however you want.“ She commented.

Hong Lu then turned to Yi Sang, apparently as the script directed him to do because he only lifted his eyes off the paper after doing so. „Yi Sang. What are you thinking? I just can’t figure out what your face might mean. It makes me curious to know what’s in your mind.“

Those who I have brushed past until now asked that same question.

However, as I did not possess the eloquence to utter a concise answer in words and the matter itself was too wearisome and perplexing to clearly summarize…

I would substitute my answer with a figurative blank sheet of paper.

„…You know what that is: Nothing.“ Yi Sang replied, most likely not knowing that the Fathoms betrayed his actual mindset.

In truth, it may not have been nothing, after all.

I would feel a desire to scatter into the winds in lush blue, sensing the sway of seeds plunging into my scrawling mind.

„Well, how was my acting?“ Hong Lu asked, curious to hear how he fared.

„Brother Young-ji was a man of kindness. He was not one to rashly harbor spite or reproach for others.“ Yi Sang reminisced. „You resemble him in that sense.“

He nodded and flipped the page of the script „You see, I called you this time, because… I’ve made something interesting that I’d like to show.“

„Ahem… Young-ji… What is this?“ Dongbaek leaned in closer as the three of them circled around the table where the glass window aimed at a dried up butterfly chrystalis showed the butterfly, calmly flapping its wings.

„There are simply too many transient things that wilt all too soon, don’t you think? The butterfly only wanted to lightly flutter, but to be punished with death for that crime… That felt too unfortunate.“

„Did you… bring it back… from the dead? I thought that kind of technology was forbidden by the Head's treaty.“ Dongbaek asked, worried.

„It is no such case. Although the carcass remains inanimate, something has overridden it.“ Yi Sang said, eyes fixated on the slowly moving wings.

Hong Lu replied, or rather, read from the script. „That’s right. To be exact... it’s the glass window. The butterfly can now be free within it. Even if its wings dampen while trying to cross a pond, are gripped in somebody’s hands and crumble to dust, or dry out due to the lack of flowers… The butterfly won’t stop. And eventually… in the distant future…“ Hong Lu´s voice trailed off, as Faust took the script from his hands.

„It’ll make it across a sea. If that happens, will the butterfly no longer be afraid of the sea?“

„Splendid, Young-ji. This level of technology could have numerous applications.“ Dongrang added excitedly.

„Young-ji… Are you sure… you really made this just for the conference?“ Dongbaek asked with eyes wide in awe.

„What do you mean by that?“ Hong Lu replied.

„A gathering where we show technology we’ve created as a hobby in our free time after returning from a day's work, sharing our thoughts… wasn’t that the significance and appeal of the illuminators’ conference our League had? But this… It doesn’t look like a simple hobbyhorse to me.“ Dongbaek looked at him with sad eyes. „Are you still… not over what happened then…“

Hong Lu hesitated for a moment, then sighed and resumed reading. „That’s… how you see it, Dongbaek… I’d like to know what you think as well, Yi Sang.“

„As Dongrang rightfully assessed, this is nothing short of a great first discovery.“ Yi Sang said with a voice not devoid of scrutiny. „Alas…If frost were to form on the glass window… It will blur the reflected image all the same. As such, the frame of this glass window… will need to be made firmer and straighter.“

Hong Lu smiled. „Yi Sang, you managed to see through its essence from just a single glance. But personally… I can’t seem to think of a way, so how about this instead? Yi Sang, try recreating it in your own way.“

I watched Yi Sang closely as his eyes seemed to shift from unknowable to an echo of past inspiration. „My own way…“

„That’s right. By the next conference.“

„Is it… truly okay for me… to handle a technology as valuable as the glass window?“ He asked Hong Lu.

„You got it wrong. I’m making this suggestion because it’s valuable.“

As Ishmael flipped through the pages of the script she held, I could see quite a bit of conflict on her face as she tried to piece together what happened. „It looks like the group was at peace.“

„Things were good for a short while. It was as though we were on a trip. We thought everything would be fine after leaving our hometown for this new place, but alas…“ Dongrang said in a pained voice, the emotion just making it past assured surface. „...at the end of the day, human societies weren’t so different from each other.“

Outis stepped forth.

„Today… I saw something suspicious at the market.“

„Now that intrigues me. What is it, Sang-heo?“ Dongrang turned to Outis.

„This invention. Wasn’t this your work for the League of Nine, Gap-ryong?“

Heathcliff quickly flipped through the pages, forgetting it was his turn. „It… is. But, I mean… there’s no need to scour markets and all that, right? It, it’s trust and faith that binds us together, isn’t it?“

„You must have forgotten the League’s nine laws.“

„L.N.L. Pft. Fascinating.“ Ryoshu said excitedly, moving the cigarette from one corner of her mouth to the other.

„Ryōshū! You aren’t supposed to say things that aren't in the script!“ Mortified Sinclair whispered next to her.

„Tsk. I know. They made me memorize every word of it, you think I’ll forget?“ Heathcliff scoffed. It seemed that he has gotten fully into character.

„No technology made within the League shall be distributed outside. Be particularly careful not to be tainted with the smell of money.“ He recited, about as interested in the words as the person who once spoke them. „But… we’ve been told that all our property will be seized if we don’t pay the rent for the laboratory within the next six days. What are we supposed to do? We’ve got to do something about it. The money we earn at the factory can only barely keep us fed. We got here from S Corp’s district, taking nothing but passion for research with us! Tell me how else we’re gonna pay the rent.“

„That’s a valid point. Taxes are heavier on us because we migrated from another district. They are demanding a fee we cannot afford to pay regularly.“ Meursault nodded, the angle and lowering of head in exact, equal measures.

„I can pay that. So I suggest we put this matter to rest.“ Yi Sang said, as calm and still as the lake´s surface on a windless night.

Dongbaek turned around, angry. „Wait, why haven’t I been told about this before? Seized? Did you know all along, Young-ji? I want to hear it from you directly.“

„I understand that you’re upset, but be mindful of what you say to Brother Young-ji, Dongbaek.“ Outis said, trying to defuse the situation as the person whose actions she imitated did.

„I’m fine, Sang-heo. Dongbaek, I was planning to tell you once it had been dealt with. I figured you'd be the first to get furious about matters concerning the League. And Yi Sang, while I sincerely appreciate your offer, I couldn’t possibly take it.“ Hong Lu replied.

Though the scene before me was hardly boring, it was growing stale and a strange hum began to overtake the voices of the Sinners and that of Yi Sang´s memories.

„It bothers me not, for accumulating wealth has no meaning to me. I urge you to spend it for the League’s sake.“

„Whaaat? Wait, Yi Sang! Were you that rich?“ I heard Ishmael ask, but it was as if I was hearing her voice from behind the closed door.

„Haha, you might want to do a better job at remembering your part, yes? The enemies will start attacking again, you know.“

„Look who’s fooling around like an oaf, failing what’s as easy as reading words on paper.“

The words turned into a blur of sound and color until suddenly, everything was back to normal, monotone and colorless reality of T Corp. I looked around, just to observe if anything changed, but found no one who would be specifically concerned about me.

I gathered it was going to be fine… probably.

Yi Sang of the past showed off his invention. „I only made minor modifications to Brother Young-ji’s work. I wanted to show a reflection of any possibility in its unvarnished image, without a blur.“

„The stars I saw while lying on the ground here seemed so far away… Yet it was possible to see them up close.“ Hong Lu read from the script. I couldn´t hear the humming anymore, so I decided to focus back on the story unfolding before me, as tiresome as it was getting.

„Is this why I haven’t been able to see you lately? To discover this? I thought you caved to your yearning for rice and went back to S Corp’s district…“ Dongbaek smiled. „I’ll say, though… This isn’t half bad. Dongrang, why are you laughing like that?“

„It’s just funny that you’re talking so ferociously when your eyes are full of curious twinkles.“

„Yi Sang, will you tell him to shut it?“

In a different world, I thought, I´d be totally best friends with Dongbaek. Maybe, if she and other researchers had been born in my world, their story wouldn´t end so bitterly.

„Why don’t you first hide your facial recreation of a child who’s tried ice cream for the first time?“ Dongrang turned around, waving at Don Quixote who was handed the script next. „Gubo, why don’t you say something? You’ve been part of the League for fairly long now, so stop standing around like a guest.“

„What more do I have to add? Everyone already seems to be of one mind.“ She said, in a voice completely devoid of her usual idiosyncrasies. It felt alien, hollow, in a way that not even Sancho has spoken when she regained her memories.

„If you’re trying to be an odd one out, at least have some audacity.“ Dongbaek scolded Don. „Some cold fish you are.“

„I see… So this… is how you view the world.“ Hong Lu commented.

„…The world I view, is it.“

Yi Sang sighed, eyes dropping to the ground.

„Did you know? They say every invention carries hints of the hopes and dreams of its inventor. Discovering them is one of the spectators’ joys. It's a tidbit that’s good to know.“ Hong Lu said. The words weren´t his, but they fit him so well I could easily imagine him saying them, word for word.

„So, Yi Sang, what do you plan to do with this technology?“ Dongrang asked.

„Do… what exactly?“

Dongrang continued. „Brother Young-ji’s glass window is already making the rounds. Researchers from other Nests have taken an interest, or so I’ve heard. Really… We rarely saw visitors in the past, but now we might have to start punching tickets so all those people will stand in line. So if you announce your work here…“

„Dongrang, I have absolutely no intention of announcing this.“

„…None? At all?“ Dongrang cocked his head in disbelief.

„All that I ask… Is to keep this as a moment of laughter, solely between us.“

„Look, just what is your idea of-“

Dongrang´s words were cut short by Dongbaek. „Pft… Yi Sang. That was the second funniest moment I’ve seen out of you. The first is…“ She turned to Dongrang with a laugh. „...y’know, when the yellow calf was being fed milk, and it suddenly licked his hair… Pfh…“

„True, I’ve never seen Dongbaek laugh as loudly as then.“ Dongrang laughed along with Dongbaek.

Meanwhile, Yi Sang looked like he wanted nothing more than to disappear in that moment, even as a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. „T-That… I think we’d best forget…“

Human eyes are such glistening and scalding things. Fearing that they would burn me, I tended to watch them from the side.

However, not seeing the subject straightly does not mean I think lowly of them.

Even without looking, it is possible to seep in.

„By the way, is that… the same as the mirror we use?“ Rodion asked quietly.

„Similar, to be exact. Limbus Company uses a mirror with special modifications.“ Faust replied.

Although it landed me in a pretty unfavorable situation, I couldn´t help but agree with Rodion who excitedly turned to Yi Sang. „You invented something incredible, Yi Sang…“

„What Young-ji and I did… wasn’t invention; we discovered, rather.“ He simply said before looking at me with apology on his lips. I shook my head, mouthing to him „Not the time.“, so he´d let Meursault speak.

„T Corp… wouldn’t have been pleased with the idea of a technology capable of peeping into other worlds without permission. I do believe you know well enough that their problem lies with the lack of permission, not the capability of the technology.“

I laughed. „Taking permissions and consent into account? In this City? Sounds like a setup for a joke with all the blatant disregard for either of those.“

„It makes one wonder… where do you come from, Alighiero?“ Dongrang asked me, curiosity burning in his eyes, as I if I was amenable to give him the answer outright.

„Not a place you have to worry about.“

„Although we had figured that T Corp. would not accept it… We thought it would be fine since it was only used as a pastime between us. The decision couldn't have been more glib.“ Yi Sang quickly returned us to the topic at hand.

The scene suddenly changed to an open, sandy area. It was dark and the sky shined with thousands of stars.

„It’s quiet. Nothing like the Outskirts…“ A boy said to a girl.

„You’re right. Was the world beyond the Outskirts one filled with such beautiful and tranquil beings?“

The two talked freely, completely unbothered. An incredibly rare sight in the City.

„Yeah, I guess that must be the reason everyone tried to keep quiet about it.“

„Right, do you, by any chance… know a story about the things beyond the Outskirts? It’s said there’s a thing that lives here… granting wishes to those who are earnest. Wanna hear it?“

As the girl spoke, the odd hum returned, much louder than before. It drowned out their words and the vibrations seemed to warp the very imagery of the scene.

The desert turned into a forest clearing where a calm lake glittered with thousands of stars of the clear night sky above, reflected on its unusually still surface.

Though the lake was surrounded with a chainlink fence and countless warnings not to go anywhere near it, two very young and twice as reckless children were standing by the fence, cutting a hole in it with a pair of stolen wire cutters. In the dark their faces were completely obscured, but it was obvious they weren´t the two people from before.

My head hurt pretty bad. Luckily, the scene warped again, shifting back to the what it was supposed to be.

„……When we look up at our sky… all we see is a pinch of muddled light. But here… I can see lone stars looking down at us. Since the city I can see from here is filled with cries of pain and despair… I’d rather… gaze down at people from the loneliness up in the sky and shed tears with them…“

I heard the boy speak, though the scene was once more relocated to the sandy dunes.

„Sorry, I was a bit late. There were flowers I’d never seen before, maybe we could smell them as I tell my story…“ The girl paused, looking up. „I see, have you… finally fulfilled your wish? Starting today, even if the handful of stars doesn't rise in a corner of the night sky… Those stars will light the dark of the lands below instead… So it’ll all be okay.“

I felt a hand shaking my shoulder, so I brushed it off as I turned to the person who was shaking me.

It was Faust, with a pretty nervous looking Dante standing next to her.

„Alighiero, what happened!?“ They asked, ticking in panic.

„I am not entirely sure myself.“ I blinked, trying to remember where I knew the forest scene from. Memory was not being helpful at all. „Ugh, it sure gave me a headache, though.“ I rubbed my head.

„It felt like a story from long ago. And then there was that moment with the pond-“

„Lake.“ I corrected him as my mind caught up. „When I was little I called it the Starry Lake… I´m not sure how or why it appeared, though.“

Faust rubbed her chin. „As the Golden Bough generated the fathoms of ego in a frenzy… foreign matters were mixed into them. Namely K Corp’s Singularity: Tears of the so-called 'Tearful Thing'… and as it appears, Alighiero´s memories… possibilities vary, but it could be the general similarity in the events. The Golden Bough resonance is… not an easy phenomenon to comprehend, even for Faust.“

The space around us changed again, to a kind of a paved road in a cityscape that was reminiscent of London… if London was way larger and only composed of old brick buildings.

„The space has changed. Where… was this place?“ Sinclair asked, sligtly panicked.

Dongrang shook his head. „What are you talking about, Aneung? This is the road we would traverse all the time.“

„Oh… Um… Right.“

„This… was the place of my day’s profession… or the avenue nearby.“ Yi Sang added, looking at the individual stones paving the road under our feet.

„Hm, you researched by night… and during the day?“ Rodion scratched her head, trying to understand.

„I was an architect.“ Yi Sang replied. It wasn´t an exclamation of pride or even an accomplishment. He ma have as well said he was an executioner and his tone would have fit.

„Ooh~ An architect, huh… That’s a neat occupation you had, Yi Sang.“ Gregor commented.

„Neat, you say… Originally, children used to run in these streets. Although there weren’t many… they came into my view on occasion. Even a single abandoned ball could keep a smile on their faces.“

„But they’re nowhere to be seen now. Where could they have gone?“ Dongrang asked, prying into the topic.

Yi Sang sighed. „Once children are old enough to learn language, they are taken to factories. Among them are those I made… those factories whose architecture I designed with my hands.“

„Yi Sang…“ Hong Lu of all people spoke to him, but could not stop him from continuing his self-flagellating confession.

„They were optimized for efficiently monitoring people. It made pressing laborers more convenient than ever. Perhaps the reason my income has been rather high is that the owners of those buildings run a profitable business.“

„Well, even so… It’s not like you spent that money to show off. You gave it all for the League.“ Heathcliff tried to save the situation, but was not successful. Neither was Ishmael, who at that point may have been one of Yi Sang´s old friends. She hardly even used the script anymore.

„…Do you remember? The first thing I invented… after getting a job at T Corp.“

„The identification tags, right?“ Hong Lu asked.

„Yeah, I made them to help lost kids. It’s absurd, I know. Maybe I expected it to help more children reunite with their parents. But now... they’re being used to monitor the workers’ time spent on the job in every factory. Heck, I made those things, and even I’m not free from the obligation to wear one while working.“ Ishmael rambled as if those words have been hers all along.

„Those were the kinds of achievements we accomplished in T Corp’s district. Which is why… I became more engrossed in the mirror. Untainted, unadulterated… I wished to immerse myself in the pure exploration of knowledge. So that… I wouldn’t have to take anything from anyone.“ Yi Sang said as the scenery changed again. We saw him, looking into the mirror he made, conversing with a version of himself from another world.

Sang Yi

You knew you’d face those predicaments since the moment you made your way to T Corp’s territory avoiding exploitation and abuse, haven't you, Yi Sang? That you’d have to exploit others if you don’t want to be. So don’t feel guilty about it.

Flowers fell, and all things began to make busy steps.

More people are visiting us each day, and twice the noise fills the air.

„This isn’t supposed to be a downtown marketplace or anything. It’s gotten way too noisy here.…Nine was the right amount of people.“ Dongbaek complained loudly as the space grew crowded and noisy.

„Oho… Many new curiosities have taken up the space! May I be permitted to touch the inventions here?“ Don looked around with shining eyes, forgetting her role momentarily.

„Will you shut that mouth?“ Dongbaek snapped at her, which served as a very effective deterrent.

„Don’t be so sour, Dongbaek. Liveliness is good to have.“ Dongrang patted her shoulder, but the act did nothing to quell her annoyance.

Some considered the assemblage to be mere noise…

While some considered the commotion to be growth.

As for me… I saw it slantwise as always.

As heavy rain might pour for days after a spell of clear skies…

I saw no meaning in attempting to fathom the caprices of the weather.

„……Young-ji hasn’t shown up for this conference as well.“

„I heard he’s been officially invited by a Wing. This is probably the second time.“

Faust tapped my shoulder as she whispered to me. „You don’t happen to know which Wing it was, do you?“

I shook my head. „Nope. No one knows.“

„Why are you displeased about it? You’re the one who turned down Brother Young-ji’s offer to go with him, Dongbaek.“ Dongrang retorted. She just silently stared back at him.

„There’s no need to be so fixated on the number nine. What if there are eight or five of us?“ He waved her concerns away like he was brushing off fallen petals from his coat.

„Say, Dongrang… How long are you gonna stick to your vet routine? I made precious time in my packed schedule to check out what Young-ji’s group was like… and all I see are children’s playthings.“ Rodion walked about, acting out her role.

„Oh, it’s been a while, Nul-in. It’s a pleasure to see a fellow from my hometown here. You arrived here later than we did, but it looks like you adapted much faster. But I must say… It’s a bit disheartening to hear you call them children’s playthings. You won’t be saying that once you learn that animals feel pain exactly like we do.“

I caught myself silently wondering how bad the Biology classes were in the City that people didn´t even comprehend that animals feel pain.

„Well, I’ll take my words back if those animals start repaying the kindness by bringing money or something.“

Dongbaek huffed in her direction. „Nul-in, do you take this for a gaudy auction where technology is sold for cash? You didn’t even care to cast a glance at us mere months ago, calling illuminators’ conferences out of fashion… Have you come now to rake off a piece of the profit you’re smelling?“

Dongrang turned to Dongbaek with a relieved smile. „Dongbaek…“

She rolled her eyes at him, though. „Don’t mistake it for covering for you. I just don’t want to see her face, that’s all. By the way… What made you so passionate about curing animals? They can’t pay the bills or anything. How are you gonna make a living?“

He laughed quietly. „You like to nag a lot. Well, I suppose I could run a chicken restaurant?“ He pondered out loud.

„What?“

„Hear me out for a second. I could make chickens grow tons of wings… and cut them off without inflicting any pain. They only need a single pair to fly. That way, humans get more meat to eat, while chickens lose nothing for it.“

So much for letting the chickens fly with one pair of wings… The ones in the K Corp. factory sure didn´t get to fly… they were losing all of their limbs at once, in perpetuity. So much has Dongrang wilted since his younger days.

„Pshaw…“

„What name do you plan to give to the chicken?“ Yi Sang asked.

„Let’s see... how about Plumpy Chicken?“ Dongrang proposed only to gain a number of odd looks.

„...Dongrang, never try naming things again. Got it?“

I may have heard a faint sound at that moment.

It was the sound of a crack.

Knowing well what consequences a minuscule crack could bring about, I chose to look past it...

Perhaps I wanted to pretend that I did not hear it...

Alas, I was careless in my assumption that I could simply observe slantwise as it comes to pass until it has seeped…

Realization comes too late.

„You know, Dongbaek? Your words weren't particularly reassuring, either. It was actually what Nul-in said that gave me an important lesson.“ Dongrang frowned. „No matter how hard I try, if technology doesn't have an immediate use… no one will give it a passing glance…“

The scene began to twist and ripple again. I expected it to show another of the Tearful thing´s memories… maybe even one of my own, that I have long forgotten about. But neither appeared, leaving me feeling strangely incomplete, as if something was ripped out of me by force at some point.

Then again, I was in a different world. It was entirely possible that somewhere along the way, a piece of myself was irreversibly shaved off and lost… or maybe signing the contract Faust gave me changed some minuscule thing in my brain. I couldn´t have known… I wasn´t Faust.

„Isn't this a concept incinerator? What is it doing here?“ Ishmael asked, looking at a large bowl-shaped metal vessel in which a wild fire burned without stopping. It didn´t seem like it needed fuel to operate, but I knew better than to take technologies of the City at face value – most of them ran on human sacrifices or suffering or both.

„We’ve received an official notice that private technological invention groups of five or more people not registered as a business require a permit from T Corp. The same goes for technology.“ Outis stepped forth, speaking in grave tone. „Everything that hasn’t been authorized by the Wing’s tech agency will be confiscated. Whether they’re registered or taken by force… they’ll be used in ways none of us wanted. That is why we will rid the world of them before that happens.“

„But, why now of all times? Is it because of the League's gatherings… No, is this about the window…?“ Ishmael asked.

„Wait, wait. This idea that we have to make technology in secret could be a pitfall, you know? Who knows, T Corp. might just give us the approval.“ Dongrang pleaded, not willing to give up his work like that.

„A foolish question. Did you forget the reason the League of Nine was established? We gathered together for the pure pursuit of knowledge. Not to serve Wings like pathetic mules. We deserted our hometowns for this cause, and now you suggest that we yield our knowledge? After all we’ve been through?“

Dongrang continued to argue his point, edging on anger. „Let’s see the bigger picture. Rather than just T Corp, wouldn’t the City as a whole be benefiting from them? Technology only has value when it’s used for others. Until then, they’re mere toys. With this healing technology I’ve developed, I could save at least hundreds of lives in the City. Should we really squander that chance… on protecting this make-believe organization?“

For someone who boasted his intelligence, Dongrang wasn´t one to even try to read the room, it seemed.

„Dongrang, don’t make clumsy attempts unless you’re planning to save everyone in the City. If I thought this measly technology had what it takes to give every single person the help they needed, I would’ve given my all for it. But… you think that’ll change anything? The world will still be a terrible mess.“ Dongbaek spoke, tugging his idealism to the floor and kicking it till nothing remained.

There was a residual pain in Dongrang´s face, one of a kicked puppy. „You’re right, I thought wrong. What’s the point in all this…“ He threw his invention into the fire. „Wow… Look at that… It really does a good job at burning things. You think its creator was a researcher who had an ardor for genuine study like us?“

I pondered the flames, too. Maybe the concept incinerator didn´t really „erase“ things from existence… maybe it just obscured the memory of it and the real ideas with all their contents were stored somewhere far away.

After all, the Fathoms wouldn´t be able to show the memories of the invention if it was completely destroyed.

„Dongrang… Are you certain you're alright?“ Yi Sang turned to him.

„Hey, check this out, Yi Sang. I chanced upon this curious thing in the Backstreets. It's apparently an item a Wing called K Corp. is producing these days.“ He smiled, but there was a strain to it. „It’s a swarm of nanobots that look like liquid to the naked eye, and when you inject it… No matter how badly you're crushed, hurt, fractured, ripped, torn, or chopped away… It all heals up in seconds.“

He laughed, but there were tears welling in his eyes.

„Amazing, isn’t it? It only takes a short while for the pain to be gone. Hahaha. It was perfectly fine to be hurt. I didn’t have to strain my body and heart trying to cure things. I was so stupid, wasn’t I?“

„…Dongrang.“

There was wilting among the nine.

Those who indulged in research with purity and astonishment on their faces as they did in the old days have already withdrawn their buds.

In exchange, unfamiliar sounds began to fill the air.

Orderly footsteps, sounds of wind-up keys that signify their position, and heavy, low voices.

„Why… Why did you tell them the League's location, Aneung?“

I heard Outis speak. Then, Sinclair. And Dongbaek. Ishmael. Hong Lu…

But the voices kept going… melting… fading…

Until there was just a silent lake with water´s surface glittering like stars that hung high above.

„You look Lost.“

There it was again – that strange voice, that laughed like it was jingling a bag filled with knives at me. It didn´t need to bare its teeth for me to know that it had them.

„Give him back!“ The small child yelled with my vocal chords. „I know you took him! Give. Him. BACK!“

Suddenly I was back in the monochrome space of the Fathoms. I didn´t remember falling on the floor, but I must´ve, because I wasn´t standing on my feet.

„There it was again – that forest scene… just after-“

„We all saw it, Sinclair.“ Gregor sighed. „No idea what we actually saw, though. Do you know, Faust?“

She paused for a moment longer than I thought she would. „It appeared to bear a great resemblance to the abnormality that had appeared to save Alighiero from the Inquisitors in Calw.“

„That´s what bothers me about it.“ I admitted. „There are no Abnormalities back home and definitely not one like that.“

Ishmael pondered on it, too. „But… it was your memory, no? The… Starry Lake, you called it?“

I didn´t feel so sure anymore. Though I knew what I saw, it felt wrong… and also not wrong at all. Worst of all, I wasn´t sure whether those events happened exactly like that or if something else, like my own feelings or the more recent experiences, muddled my memory.

„I… I don´t know, Ishmael. A lot has happened since I was the little twerp you saw in the memory. Until I was reminded of it, I hardly even remembered that it wasn´t just some thing I made up while bored.“

„You were screaming.“ Dante informed me as they helped me up on my feet. „Something about someone who was taken away from you. It seemed a bit too important to have been just your imagination.“

„Taken away, huh…“ I scratched the back of my head, trying to remember who was the person I lost. But it was all a blur… I couldn´t recall anything specific about the event. „That´s what happened to the League members, wasn´t it?“

I looked at Yi Sang who only nodded. „You weren´t yourself to see it, but that is what had transpired.“

„We should get a move on. The end of the Fathoms is still a good chunk of road away.“ I said, dusting myself off.

„But what about you? What if you have another outburst like that?“ Heathcliff scratched his head. „It´s not like we can beat the sense back into you if we needed to.“

„Can´t exactly back out now.“ I shrugged. „Besides, at least now we know that the Bough is close by, no?“

No one objected.

Chapter Text

The explosion of the League of Nine shattered everything there was, and everything came to a halt for me as well.

To stop means to cease caring… It is a state of indifference.

In other words…

It no longer mattered if I was weathered and stomped.

But that was when someone held me by the arm.

Gubo

„Are you going to stand still and let T Corp’s tech agency take you away? Someone like you? Have you finally gone mad, Yi Sang?“

„You must come with me.“

What could I have done other than nod?

If he told me to be apprehended by the tech agency employees, I would have nodded all the same.

If he told me to put all of the mirror technology into a concept incinerator, I would have done so.

If he told me to hide on the spot and pretend I know nothing, I would have followed it.

How many of the nine survived and ran away…

„I do not know.“ Yi Sang said, replying to his own words heard within the Fathoms.

The scene melted and changed, reflecting a scene I was familiar with – the girl from the Tearful Thing´s memories sat in a chair, reading it a story.

„Don’t be so sad… I don’t want to use your tears to fight the flow of time…“

She grew older and older, and the jar that held the being grew ever so larger.

„Those tears are better reserved for those who need them more dearly. Don’t forget… You’re a nameless star, hanging in the sky for everyone who is in suffering…“

Then the scene changed again, to the view from an enormous containment filled with fluid. There were figures in the dark, three of them at least judging by the different voices.

„With the passing of Ms. Stephanette… We at K Corp. would like to take a moment to express our condolences, honoring her noble will…“

„What’s the need to be so roundabout?“ An assertive woman cut in. „You know there’s something you really want to say: which one of us will be the next chief executive.“

The other two could only hum in disgruntled agreement.

„Well… The nomination should be simple, right? What did each of us do, and how much did it help to contribute to the growth of this Wing and its Nest.“

We were watching a run-of-the-mill dick-measuring contest.

„Ever since Ms. Stephanette began struggling to even speak due to her age… I started extracting the tears in her stead.“ Another figure spoke, though their tone was anything but assertive words of a leader-to-be.

„What… Having your men buy and read those 'gut-wrenching and heartwarming stories' out loud? I saw the tear production going down, too.“ Their rival was quick to critique them.

„…Are you serious?“

„Kah… W-Wait.“

With that, one of the people found themselves at the destructive end of a weapon, their battered body tumbling to the floor. They tried to crawl towards the tank that held the Tearful Thing, but to no avail – its tears could not save them from inside the tank.

„This is what happens when you run your mouth rashly. You knew my temper and still decided to play with fire?“

„Hngh… The board of directors won’t… let you get away with this…“

„I’ll make sure that you’re finished before that happens.“

Although the two fought on the floor like animals, the assertive woman stepped forth, her black hair streaked with vibrant green… Alfonso.

K Corp.

„Ah, our dear Ms. Stephanette… You were so kind even after you’ve gone. The tears don’t have to be by noble means after all.“ She gleefully palmed the glass of the holding tank. „Everyone, I believe I’ve found the answer. To take the seat of the chief executive, there’s only one simple thing to do: ensure the prosperity of K Corp.“

„All that’s left now is for the board of directors to cast their votes.“ She added, turning back to the group.

„Stop them this instant…! It appalls me greatly to think that one must suffer everlasting sights of despair in captivity for the many…“ Don Quixote tried to plead with the figures of the executives as they cast their votes, but to no avail. They were just projections of a memory, one that didn´t even belong to Yi Sang.

„Your pleas won’t reach them. This one didn’t come from Yi Sang... It’s a fragmented scene concerning the tears.“ Faust calmed her down, leading her to turn away from the dreadful scene.

„Ah, in case you aren’t familiar, that one Singularity has saved countless lives.“ Dongrang pitched in, hardly making the situation better. „It was like someone fulfilled my old dream I couldn’t make true. If, say, I were in that vat… I would have gladly given up everything I had. Every single thing, with no exception.“

I scoffed in his direction, an action which luckily did catch his attention. „You don´t get to decide its feelings on the matter. It cries because it wants to help – and yet its tears are only used to drive K Corp´s profit margins up.“

He stared at me in silence, so I continued.

„If you actually cared about helping others, you would´ve never given up on your own idea, Dongrang. I can tell you from experience that people like having the ability to choose instead being thrown onto single straight path.“

He laughed in my face as if I just said the funniest thing in the world.

„You must find my old friend quite irritating then.“

An overlong silence shrouded the passage of time.

All my time during it was a mere adjunct.

In the square wholly painted white, only two visitors came to see me.

To supplement… One visited in the square within the square, and the other visited in the square within the square within the square.

The scene changed again, to that of a painfully white room which lacked a ceiling. Instead, it was replaced with a kaleidoscope of fractured colors, pulsing and shifting endlessly. Enough for another headache to spring up, at least.

„You’re free to do your research here.“ Gubo spoke. He was wearing the same uniform as the rest of Hermann´s group. „The mirror you seemed to love so dearly… don’t forget to eat your meals and supplements every day.“ He added before leaving the white room.

There was no one left to gaze at the mirror and enjoy its sight, and it ceased to be a tool of amusement…

Yet I still held on to it, for a reason…

„You wouldn’t talk to even Gubo these days. You’ve been grasping at the mirror all day long. He just stared at your back before leaving. The expression on his face wasn’t so good.“

Yi Sang´s reflection in the mirror, one he called Sang Yi, spoke to him from the suspended mirror. In that dreadful place, their talks were likely his only comfort. I wanted to reach out to him… but I would only be interfering with the reflection of the past.

Somehow, I was sure that doing that would cause irreversible damage, not just to Yi Sang, but to me as well.

„It concerns me not. I would much rather face you and talk to you. When I turn away, I would like you to do the same.“

„Yi Sang, Gubo genuinely cares about you. You know that, right? I'm pretty sure you’re the biggest reason he decided to join the League before it fell apart.“

Yi Sang shook his head, gaze cast downwards. „That is untrue. The one Gubo cares for the most… would be himself. He simply happened to chance upon me while looking for things to make him stand out.“

„Then… let him do that. You can be under the limelight as long as you’re standing next to him. Right now, N Corp’s director has been trying to form a new League of Nine with you, Gubo, and Aseah.“

„I cannot bring myself to call that organization the League when its roots are entirely different. It has simply borrowed the name that will have to be returned one day.“ Yi Sang´s words may have sounded quite assertive if he didn´t say them in a way that made him sound so small. „How go the affairs in the world outside? With your wings, you can be anywhere you’d like.“

„The outside… Haah. It's the same, tiring stuff. The world always flows along the same current. Isn’t that the truth? The League used to be bound with such strong solidarity, but now it has disbanded… There’s no point in feeling joy or despair over every passing moment. So I want you to stay here with me. Be someone I can talk with.“

„What did that fellow named Gubo want to do with the mirror, I wonder?“ Hong Lu pondered when the invisible veil that protected the sanctity of the scene loosened somewhat.

„What exactly N Corp. wished to do… I do not know in detail. I did not bother to ask. However…“

Instead of a straight answer another memory came into view.

„How do you like it here, is it comfortable enough? Are you keeping yourself fed?“ Hermann asked in a tone that would´ve read as motherly if I didn´t already know about the awful things that Gregor went through.

„Like I said, ma’am, he is a reticent man.“ Gubo wiped dust off of his glasses before setting them back on the bridge of his nose.

„Do you know of a way… to destroy all the worlds and the myriad possibilities they represent in the mirror and the glass window?“ Hermann looked to Yi Sang who could hardly answer her.

„I…“

„Of course you’d say no. I am telling you what to study. Even if you say you don’t want to, I have plenty of other ways. But I thought I should have the courtesy to politely ask you first, for your friend’s sake.“

I decided that should I ever came face to face with Hermann at a time when I was armed and skilled enough to use what I had, I would not wait for her to speak to me a single word before striking.

„Ah, let’s keep this as a little secret between the three of us, shall we? …Are the two still reluctant to rejoin the League? Aseah didn’t seem to care either way, but these two are being tricky.“

„There is no need for concern. They'll make up their minds soon. The new League formed here will be more powerful than ever. It’s backed by none other than Miss Hermann.“ Gubo said resolutely just before Hermann left him alone with Yi Sang.

„What is the problem? Are you hesitant to take the offer without Dongrang and Dongbaek to accompany you? …Do you really not see that I can only set my mind at ease once you make your stance clear?“

He begged him, but Yi Sang would not listen.

„My mind has not changed from before.“

After that, even Gubo left, leaving Yi Sang alone… well, not entirely alone, as Sang Yi was present… in a way.

„…Destruction of the mirror worlds, huh. Gubo and Hermann seemed pretty serious about it.“

„You would be right. Once they have set their mind on it, it will undoubtedly be done. And I… would end up aiding him in his purpose…“ Yi Sang´s eyes were empty and aimless as he spoke. „However… I do not wish for you to perish as a result. You must fly away and leave before Gubo destroys you as well.“

„What about you?“ Sang Yi asked after a moment of consideration. His tone was not nearly as empty as Yi Sang´s.

„Is it not abundantly clear? There is nothing I am capable of. Unlike you, I have no wings to fly with. I have no complaints. If I mutely follow whatever they demand, they will at least let me be.“

He gestured to Sang Yi´s reflection in the mirror. „As I have said, all that I have left… is you outside the mirror.“

„When you've suffered a loss, shouldn’t you consider filling the void back up with new things?“ The reflection asked. Strangely, it seemed to have generated the tiniest spark of liveliness in Yi Sang´s eyes.

„What a peculiar question. This is all that is of my world, so how will I be able to fill it anew?“

After that, you wouldn’t show up before me for a time.

A question occurs to me at times.

I was the one who said this was all that I had, so why did you make such a devastated expression as though you lost everything?

„It sounds like the Yi Sang in the mirror… Wanted to keep him in this place. Telling him that it’s not safe outside, so he should stay inside…“

I turned to Ishmael. „You´re wrong.“ She did turn to me with a question at ready, but I simply pointed to the continuation of the memory already taking shape.

You returned to me after some time… and spoke strange things.

„Yi Sang. When Gubo comes back with that blue supplement… keep it stored instead of swallowing it right away. After around three days of doing so… you’ll start seeing things you couldn’t before.“

It was true that Sang Yi was keeping Yi Sang where he was. But it was a protective and a slightly selfish wish. After all, Yi Sang, having abandoned everything he had left and what he cared about… the mirror and Sang Yi… would not have made the decision to keep walking. Not on his own, or rather, not for very long.

„When that day comes, you will have two options: the first is to chew up all the supplements you’ve gathered. It will put you into a deep sleep, but when you wake, everything will return to normalcy. You’ll spend your days wholly dedicated to the mirror technology like this, chatting with me from time to time. The status quo will be preserved.“

The classic blue-pill and red-pill dichotomy. Maybe I should introduce the Sinners to Matrix as well once we returned to the bus.

„The second… is to leave this place.“ Sang Yi said.

Yi sang did consider his options shortly, before posing a question.

„I lack the wings to do so. How will I accomplish that?“

„A chicken may not be able to fly, but that doesn’t stop it from flapping its wings. It struggles… endlessly.“ Sang Yi smiled.

„You perplex me. At this point in time… where must I even go? I have neither a hometown nor an awaiter to return to.“

„Be straightforward.“ Sang Yi advised him. „If there is no hometown, you can walk ceaselessly until your feet decide to stop, and make that your new home.“

I followed your words and avoided taking the blue supplements.

Once I stopped taking the supplements, what had only been a blur carved a clear image onto my retina for the first time.

The room I was in was not closed. It has always been open, and I had the freedom to go anywhere.

Walking through the long and narrow hallway, I saw how my mirror was being used.

Then, a sudden wave of lassitude began to surge.

If I took the supplements and fell asleep, everything would have stayed alright.

And I wished to believe that there must have been a misunderstanding between Gubo and me.

Alas…

I stepped outside the white square and kept walking.

Though Yi Sang´s steps were assured, there was one more hurdle in his way. Gubo.

„Have you decided to leave, my foolish companion?“

They were words not meant to persuade me, but merely to pounce at me…

Although they did not hurt, they may have left a mark.

„You have nowhere to return to, and you’re dragging that tottering body along? Do you truly believe you will find a place to call home, wherever you might go?“

Gubo turned away and let Yi Sang pass. Just like that.

But not before delivering one last line.

„Enjoy your rest, then. I’ll return once twilight arrives.“

With that, I parted from Gubo, who was my last remaining compatriot.

I was thoroughly isolated.

„That's right. With this, we all ended up alone. Only then… At long last. My turn had come.“ Dongrang said walking to the forefront of the stage.

„This is the part where Mr. Dongrang hands the glass technology over to K Corp. We were in the League’s shoes, if only for a short while, so we know what’s been going on.“ Sinclair commented. Then, the scene restarted anew.

Dongrang

„But I must say it’s a bit disheartening to hear you call them children’s playthings. You won’t be saying that once you learn that animals feel pain exactly like we do.“

Dongbaek

„Dongrang, don’t make clumsy attempts unless you’re planning to save everyone in the City. If I thought this measly technology had what it takes to give every single person the help they needed, I would’ve given my all for it.“

„But… you think that’ll change anything? The world will still be a terrible mess.“

Dongrang

„It was perfectly fine to be hurt. I didn’t have to strain my body and heart trying to cure things. I was so stupid, wasn’t I?“

Dongbaek

„Then you should’ve braced for it! Have the guts to bite your tongue and die if you couldn’t stand to survive alone in the hometown!“

Suddenly there was a shift in the air, like an ominous, silent shroud descending down.

„Dante...“ I turned to them, hoping that my expression didn´t look too grave. „He is-“

„I feel it, too.“ They replied as the scene shifted towards the Tearful Thing and the dialogue between Alfonso and Dongrang surfaced from Dongrang´s memory.

Alfonso

„Why the surprise? You must have heard stories about our Wing’s Singularity.“

Dongrang

„…Looking at it in person felt different is all. I didn’t think I would come all the way here…“

Alfonso

„Yeah, most have similar reactions. So… can you remind me of what you can do?“

Dongrang

„Ah, to start with an explanation of the technology I invented…“

Alfonso

„My expectations are particularly high since I heard you were a member of the League of Nine. That… Young-ji person is still missing, is that right?“

Dongrang

„Yes, he is.“

Alfonso

„Well, it’s a shame about the League disbanding… But it’s fortunate we managed to recruit one of them.“

Dongrang

„The League of Nine… always serves as a plentiful shade, doesn’t it. Then and now… By the way, this reminds me of a thing that would cry at me like this in the past…“

Alfonso

„Dongrang?“

Dongrang

„Oh… I mean, the reason I’ve come here is…“

„The thing that used to cry at Dongrang… He must mean the yellow calf.“ Ishmael pointed out.

Dongrang laughed uncomfortably. „Haha. What are you doing now? The League of Nine has disbanded, and the play is over. You’re not Yurang anymore.“

„You’re right, I guess I got too immersed and felt like I was one of your "companions" for a second. You said you fulfilled your wish, but it didn’t seem that way to me no matter which way I looked at it.“ She continued.

„Did you feel the same when you saved that calf?“

In an unexpected turn of events, Dongrang snapped at Ishmael. „Will you watch your words? I didn’t save the calf expecting a reward.“

„You think we don’t know that? You saved the poor creature right before it got crushed to death ‘cause you felt like it. I remember when we took turns feeding it milk.“

Watching Heathcliff and Ishmael work together for once was a bit weird after constantly listening to them throwing jabs at each other on the bus. Then again, maybe the reason for it was that they somewhat synchronized with Yi Sang´s friends.

Synchronized… the very word that Faust used to describe what happened when Dante pulled me into the City through Mephistopheles.

„I believed that it would be okay to save lives without a price back then. I guess it wasn’t just my work… that burned away in the incinerator that day.“ Dongrang´s heart fell almost audibly. „My mind’s garden I had been tending to burned down with it.“

„Taking a backward glance at our trails… all of us have been suffering great losses. Failing to see… what needed to be seen.“ Yi Sang spoke to Dongrang in the same rhythm and tone as he always did, but it wasn´t so hollow anymore. „Allow me to apologize. For casting only slantwise glances. We were all falling into ruin all the same, and you were no different… I did not realize it then.“

„I wonder... do you think the cow is peacefully grazing grass somewhere right now?“ Dongrang asked, though it wasn´t Yi Sang who answered him.

„I’m sure of it. He’ll be waiting for you, even if you won't go back.“ Outis replied.

„I don’t think… it’ll recognize me… I’ve changed too much from who I was in the past.“

Suddenly, his eyes glazed over, as he spoke to an unseen voice – Carmen.

„Yeah, you’re right. All the trophies and awards on my desk praising my excellence are empty husks.“

„Dante, get the units ready.“

Unlike Samjo´s transformation into the peccatulum, Dongrang´s was quite a bit slower.

„Although they dazzle gloriously… they're empty inside. They’re husks I couldn't have ever gotten if I weren’t a member of the League. That’s why I liked photographs. They… contain my image in all its honesty.“

He muttered to himself and the ominous silence radiated around him like a protective bubble.

„For however long, when I look up at the sky… I can’t see a thing. It’s like I'm under a giant shadow…“

„Who is… Mr. Dongrang talking to?“ Sinclair asked as we watched the horrid changes happen to Dongrang´s body.

„The source of distortion.“ I replied without second thought, only to quickly cover it up. „You know, like the saying: If you stare into the dark for long enough, it will stare back at you.“

„Certainly, and the distortion… might not be the terminus, but rather a step in a process.“

Dongrang´s body grew and shrunk in intervals, twisting into a centaur-like body.

„Then… I-Is there any way we can help.“ Sinclair was unsure whether to ask me or Faust, so he just asked the question. I let Faust answer, as I wanted to avoid accidentally spilling any more information than I already have.

„To stop him from going astray in this space where mental images take physical form.“ She said. „As we do, he will naturally come to accept that what lies ahead is his path. That is how we can help him.“

The fight did not last long at all… but no one felt victorious about it even as Dongrang´s body took on a human shape once again.

„So it comes down to this. I’ll probably die soon. In such a peaceful place…“

The scene was that of a grassy field with soft earth and blades of grass bending in a soft breeze. A soft moo of a cow sounded somewhere close by.

„What?“ Dongrang said as the cow walked right past him.

„Ha, haha… You’re right, it doesn’t recognize me.“ He said, pacing around. „I may be filled with husks right now, but I know… I’m almost there. Soon… I’ll make my own technology to fill myself up. I’ll gather a team again… hire another secretary… There’ll be a lot to do.“ Dongrang said to the cow.

„So… I don’t think I’ll need you anymore.“

I averted my gaze, but the wet slash still reached my ears. I only returned my eyes to the scene when it changed to the clinical space of K Corp.

Alfonso

„…Dongrang? I wonder how long will you keep me waiting.“

Dongrang

„ Ah, sorry for the delay. I was reminded of something I left in my hometown… But I’ve realized that now is the time to be thinking about what I’ll gain from now on instead of what I left behind.“

Alfonso

„Anyone can have a moment of foolishness. Right, so… You know about a way to generate an endless stream of tears, do you?“

Dongrang

„To reach a certain quota, people are tortured… then cured using the tears… then tortured again… It’s such a waste to keep spending a portion of tears on that.“

Alfonso

„True, so we’re importing footage from a variety of Wings and Backstreets Syndicates as a substitute.“

Dongrang

„They’re asking higher and higher prices for the audiovisual feed, aren’t they? Other factions are starting to notice that we’re in evident need of it, albeit faintly. Even if they don’t know what exactly it’s used for in K Corp.“

I was just about done with K Corp´s unhinged practices. As mundane as exploitation was in the City and back home, I would not accept it as a way things were supposed to be. Not ever.

„I shouldn’t close my eyes. Miss Carmen… I believe that’s not exactly the case. The path hasn't ended, and I finally see clearly where I should go.“ Dongrang spoke, but as before, he wasn´t speaking to anyone in the room. Not when his body has regained and expanded upon his previous state… forming his E.G.O. around himself.

„Dongrang… after coming such a long way ‘round… have you at last returned to this path?“ Yi Sang asked him, choked up, but determined to say what he meant to say.

„When I look into the eye… I don’t feel the sympathy I used to feel anymore. Instead… Do you see that? A pale imitation of the League’s renowned glass window, made by leeching off it… It’s now become the flag that raised the esteem of K Corp’s Singularity high.“

„Yes, I can see it well.“ Yi Sang replied.

„Brother Young-ji has left, Dongbaek has returned to the bed of flowers…“

In an unfathomable distance an ominous bell tolled.

„All that’s left is a parasitic mutation of Young-ji’s glass… My shoddy copy of the glass, which didn’t manage to be anything.“

Its sound echoed within th Fathoms, shaking their very foundations, reverberating through the air.

„What use is technology that can’t change the world?“

His question hung in the air, drifting by like a single down feather. I understood the feeling. That feeling of helplessness and dread that followed me since that day when I picked up the small stone in my pocket.

But unlike Dongrang, I refused to let it dictate my actions.

„So I want you to stop caring like I have. Let it cry for our agony and sorrow in our stead.“

The fight broke out anew, as Dongrang viciously attacked the Sinners who had very little time to actually prepare for the strikes.

„The past is all useless, I´ll burn it all.“ He growled like a beast. „And Yi Sang, I´d like you gone as well.“

With a roar, he rushed at Yi Sang, horns on his head aimed into his chest – only, the strike didn´t connect. Cinq Outis rushed in, perfectly parrying his attack.

„Haah, you´re being a nuisance.“

Outis didn´t grace him with a reaction, as stoic as always.

„I´ve decided to erase all the past. In other words, I´ll have no business with you once Yi Sang is gone.“ Dongrang was bargaining at that point, lost more and more. However, lost or not, I would not let him dig his claws in and hurt Yi Sang any further.

„Except you will.“ I said, stepping closer, but still remaining within the lines of the Sinners. Being a brave little soldier meant nothing if I was stupid about it. „We may not be the League, but we sure as hell give a damn about each other. I know I do.“ I shot Yi Sang a reassuring smile.

I didn´t even notice that Dongrang was charging until Meursault returned the favor and punched him with a blazing hot gauntlet of the Liu Association South Section.

„Kgh…“ Dongrang stumbled back, heaving. „I see where you stand… then I'll just get rid of you all along with Yi Sang and his ideal.“

Though he tried, Dongrang could not get past the Sinners. Yi Sang stood there, sort of dumbstruck by all that care for his person. He turned to me.

„Is this how it is supposed to be?“ He asked, eyes sad, but resolute.

I looked at Dongrang, who was fighting off the Sinners in frenzy. „I wish I could´ve changed it… but it seems that no amount of knowledge can do anything about this. He´s made the decision a long time ago… today-“

„-it simply came to pass.“ Yi Sang finished. „I understand. Thank you, Alighiero… for trying.“

He walked past the Sinners to the effloresced Dongrang, calm as a lake on a windless night.

„I really shouldn't be wasting my time like this.“ Coming to a sudden realization, Dongrang stopped in place. He looked at the ceiling as though he was looking at stars hanging in the sky. The very skies reflected in that very same, still lake. „At this very moment... I'm losing out for each second it spends without crying.“

„The opportunities and time to change the world... are scattering.“ He glared at approaching Yi Sang with bloodshot eyes. „Yi Sang... It's you, you're the only one who needs to go for this to be over!“

Though the Sinners tried to stand in his way, Yi Sang waved them off. „I must insist... that I mark the end for Dongrang… for that would be most ideal.“ He managed to stop Dongrang in his path.

„Yi Sang…“

„I plead you, end this now... Dongrang.“

„Haha... How can I?“ „In the end, someone... has to... cry tears, isn't that right...?“ Dongrang pulled the weapon lodged into himself deeper inside. Though brave in the moment, I could hear something crack inside of Yi Sang in that moment.

„Let's end it this way... Yi Sang...“ Dongrang yelled before launching a powerful attack that scattered the Sinners around. The gust of resulting, dust-filled air knocked me back against Dante.

„Oof…“ I coughed, trying to get the taste of dirt out of my mouth.

„Are you alright?“ They asked me, but I shot the same question right back at them. „Oh… yeah, I am okay. I´m pretty durable.“ They knocked on the metal casing of their head for emphasis.

I smiled shortly before turning my attention to Yi Sang. His fathoms were flowing again.

And there was something different, almost happy about them.

I used to think that in spite of leaving, I was still trapped inside that white square… that I have been reduced to but single function, incapable of breaking away and into flight…

...but despite having their wings clipped in perpetuity, chickens do try… and flap their wings in spite of man who clips them.

If I am to follow this walk of life forever more, wandering from place to place… I wish to do so along with the rest of the flock, flapping our wings for as long as we will.

Change. Maybe I did have the power to change something after all.

„Even though I only delivered Young-ji’s words with my tongue… it does give me a thought. Maybe, these letters that you wrote… weren’t just meant for the Yi Sang in the mirror alone.“ Hong Lu spoke thoughtfully. „To all people you had ties with in the past, those you know in the present, and those you might meet in the future.“

„You mean, including us?“ Dante asked. „What do you think, Yi Sang?“

„I’m thinking that you might just be right.“ He smiled shortly as the memories flowed past us. „When I parted with Gubo… the stars lost their shine and let darkness fill the air, and I felt as though I were crippled.“

„Yet…I thought that there may be a place that would allow me to live on, even if I had no wings and my legs limped. The thread of hope couldn’t be thinner, but I held onto the faint possibility.“

Shortly, Dongbaek appeared, smiling softly, next to the mirror reflecting bright yellow spicebush next to her.

„When we… or at least I saw your mirror, I thought I was seeing what we didn’t have. That’s why they seemed so far, and that’s why I could only look. It’s why I had to settle for this reality. Like how I dreamed of stars as I watched fireworks. But the mirror…“

She tilted the mirror, showing us different angles. With them, the image changed, from spring to autumn to winter scene. The countless possibilities.

„What it shows are possibilities. So… do you see what I’m getting at? You don’t have to envy the mirrored images. What you saw… were the possibilities you held. You’ve had them all along. The wings to make your possibility a reality.“

She smiled at Yi Sang, face free of previous torment.

„That’s what I wanted to tell you.“

„I see now… I thought that I had lost my wings, that I couldn’t have them. I thought I had been clinging to research, pathetically stroking the joints where wings used to be… But I believe I now know the mirror’s true name.“

Yi Sang turned to Dante and proudly announced.

„Yeonsim - a bridge that joins hearts together. I made the mirror because I wished to continue living and flapping and fluttering. I wished to soar into the air once more, even if I fell afterward.“

„One day, despair will arrive for certain.“ Dante nodded thoughtfully. „It’s for that reason… life must go on, as far as it can. Whether or not we have wings of our own.“

Sang Yi

All Yi Sangs have outstanding talent. At the same time, all Yi Sangs are ignorant. All Yi Sangs can see wings, but only one Yi Sang can fly.

Yi Sang

If such is the case

Sang Yi

The Yi Sang in the mirror must be the opposite of the Yi Sang outside… but they’re quite alike, too. I mean the wings you say you saw… those radiant and magnificent wings.

They’re my wings, and they’re yours in the reflection.

Why do I think that? …It’s obvious. The mirror is a reflection of the self.

If you saw wings on me, then they were on you as well… They would obviously belong to you. Now, kick off the ground and flutter your wings.

„All I wished for… Just once more… I wished to fly.“ Yi Sang smiled, as he locked eyes with Dongrang one last time.

„Break the birdcage… and be free.“ Yi Sang said as he kicked off, soaring on the wings that assembled from the glass shards of his fathoms, glittering like diamonds.

„Yi… Sang.“

Dongrang´s voice was faint. He would die soon and no amount of tears, magical or otherwise, was going to make a difference in that. Dongrang wasn´t dying just on the physical level. His very mind was dissipating.

„I remember that spring day. Stars rose in our eyes.“ Yi Sang told him, as he knelt down to his battered body.

„They sparkled. As brightly… as your wings. I've… always yearned to… Escape the shadows of the League… In the end… it is that same shadow… that embraces me after everything.“

He faded not long after.

Since our client kind of died, the mission kind of became a problem. Or rather, the whole Bough collecting business did.

„Well, consequently… it wasn’t all bad. But it’s not good, either. Since the leader of the terrorists—Dongbaek, was it?—has died, their organization should collapse in no time. As for the remaining problems… I have a suggestion on how to handle them.“

I was dreading meeting Alfonso. Not just because of the whole „seen the things I wasn´t supposed to“ and th subsequent mindwipe of who-knows-what consequences… she was positively more annoying than five Dongrangs in a trenchcoat with extra Samjo on top.

Keeping a straight face was going to be very, very important… and very difficult.

„Everything that happened in K Corp. today was single-handedly caused by a mentally unstable, rebellious employee named Dongrang… In his scheme to unfairly claim personal gains and power within the firm. Do you agree?“

„…Are you sure you’re okay with that cover-up story? He may have opposed us… but he was your employee, wasn't he?“ Ishmael asked her, but Alfonso simply waved her concerns off.

„Well… I did say my goodbyes with a phone call earlier. Some cheeky man he was.“ She then turned to Dante. „And you’re a manager at Limbus Company… Dante, right? You seemed somewhat unassertive for a manager. In fact, going off of the couple recordings, your temporary employee has been far more involved in that task…“

Her glance passed over me with strange interest. Basically every known survival instinct was yelling at me to run. But I tried my best to keep my cool.

„If you want to be a leader, you’d best remember to nip any rising problem in its bud. The faster, the better.“ She whispered to them. The weight of the implication was not lost on me.

„Screw yourself. You also hired Shi Association’s assassins to silence Shrenne, didn’t you?“

I made a personal note to thank every single star in the sky that Dante could not speak normally and that I was able to keep a straight face. It it wasn´t for those two lucky coincidences, not only would we not get the Golden Bough, we would also have to forfeit our lives – most likely.

„They are telling you that they got the message.“

Faust smoothed things over, as always. Thank the stars for Faust´s existence, too.

„Hmph, I thought you were something of a half-wit, but I suppose you weren’t put in charge for nothing.“

Just when I thought that Alfonso was done and that we wouldn´t have address the gargantuan tarantula in the room, she stopped herself. „Ah, and one more thing. I don't know how things got complicated enough for you to get involved with our Wing’s Singularity, but… the tearful thing…was K Corp’s Singularity itself and a confidential detail we could in no way allow to be known.“

FuckFuckFuckFuckFuckFuckFuck

„Limbus Company does not give away confidential information gained during investigation. If you’d like, we could arrange a contract to…“

„Ha. Ha. Are you seriously offering that just after seeing a contract you signed turn into worthless paper stacks? I couldn’t let a piece of paper bind me down. I’ll get your memories erased.“

SHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

„SYNC. Tamper with my memories, and I’ll cut you down to bits.“

At least Ryoshu was of the same mind as me in regards to that plan.

„We’ll follow your method, ma’am. However, there is a specific stipulation that must be addressed in regards to our temporary employee, Alighiero.“ I wanted to sigh in relief, but doing so would b highly irresponsible, so I held off. I could probably manage to do so for a bit longer. „Through proprietary experimental augmentation procedures they and the Manager share various bodily states, in this case, most notable is their shared memory. Therefore it has to be said that subjecting our temporary employee to a mindwipe is unnecessary and in addition could pose a great risk for the Company´s current most valuable asset to an unforeseen malfunction.“

„Most valuable asset, hm? I can see how you might consider someone like this a valuable asset. They are quite a knowledge treasure trove, just waiting to be cracked open…“ I did not like the manic look in Alfonso´s eyes for a second. I pressed out an uncomfortable, short smile. „It´s truly a pity that they are not my employee. Would you mind much if I headhunted them once their temporary work contract expired?“

„You piece of…“ Ryoshu´s eyes gleamed dangerously in an unexpected turn of events.

Following the unfriendly instructions of people who appeared to be K Corp’s high-rank staff and Fixers, the Sinners and Dante were put through the memory wipe procedure. I was quite glad I didn´t have to go through it.

While I waited with Vergilus outside the room, I cleared my throat before turning to him.

„Uhm, Vergilius, there´s a little something I´d like you to do for me… if you can figure out the way.“

„Ah. The translator around your neck, is it?“

„Yeah… as convenient as it is… I really want it off. It´s… bothersome.“

„Understandable.“ He looked over the metal piece and quickly found the unlocking mechanism. With a simple push of a button, that I couldn´t feel out before, he unlocked it.

„Thanks.“ I said with a smile, although I knew that he didn´t understand my speech anymore. He did however nod in return, likely inferring what I said from my expression.

At least I had expression, unlike Dante who had a whole another set of little clock quirks instead.

Looking more closely at the collar, I noticed there was a tiny spot of bleed on the inner rim where the two halves clipped together. As it turned out, the little sharp pinch I felt did actually harm me, if only a tiny bit.

Maybe I should´ve listened and wiggled less.

In addition to the drop of blood, the side of the device looked slightly less shiny than the rest of it, as if someone took a power sander with a particularly high-grade grit and sanded something away – maybe the name of the inventor who made it.

Or maybe someone dropped it into the concept incinerator but only demanded the inventor´s name to be deleted. Which in hindsight definitely sounded like something T Corp. would do.

In that ponder-ful state of my mind, I heard clattering of many footsteps as the Sinners have returned – their minds scrubbed of the knowledge of the Tearful Thing and the true nature of K Corp´s Singularity… all except for one, on whom the procedure simply didn´t work.

After all was said and done, we did gain the ownership of another Golden Bough. We were all sitting at a table in a bistro, delighting the owner by consuming copious amounts of food – and paying for it, of course.

For the first time since my arrival to the strange world of the City, I felt content and full. Meanwhile, Rodion and Heathcliff showed no particular signs of stopping. At some point the others started placing bets on who would eat more chicken wings off of the bucket. Then the most unexpected thing happened – the store owner actually ran out of chicken wings.

I was so amazed that I didn´t even notice when Dante rejoined the group, having excused themselves to get some air (did they even breathe?) outside. We exchanged a glance, but in that moment, Rodion won by snatching the last wing from Heathcliff and the task of preventing them from trashing the establishment fell onto Dante so no further conversations were held afterwards.

Not about Demian, nor the speech collar I decided to keep.

Chapter Text

„Ready?“

„Like never before.“ I told Yi Sang.

All the Sinners were huddled in the space of Dante´s office, curious if the makeshift machine would actually work – including me.

My phone´s continued survival was the stake after all.

Was I overjoyed that I could still access the entirety of the Internet (confidingly, or maybe annoyingly, aside from the future spoilers that would be handy to have) in its static state from the day I left the Earth´s surface?

Yes. And no. It meant that I had the duty to prevent everyone from unlocking my phone. I definitely didn´t want to explain Gregnant meme to anyone.

Especially not Gregor.

However, the Internet access coupled with many years of successful pirating proved invaluable when it came to downtime possibilities.

The cheers filled the room as the familiar yellow text crawl projected onto the wall. To have that familiar bit of home in the strange land was the best safety blanket I could ask for.

I didn´t pay half as much attention to the movie as I paid to everyone´s reactions, though. Sinclair has immediately found kinship with Luke, which was to be expected. What I did not expect was near immediate identification between R2-D2 and C3-P0 as Heathcliff and Ishmael respectively. That comparison was however shunned as soon as Han Solo came on screen.

There was no debate whose favorite he became.

„I´m telling you, he´s the best character.“ Heathcliff said about 50th time sine the movie started.

„But Luke´s the main character. You can´t throw that aside – even the princess likes him.“ Sinclair argued. „Besides, Han Solo wouldn´t amount to much without Chewbacca.“

Heathcliff would´ve probably pummeled him for that, it if wasn´t for another person´s hand around his wrist. „We understand that you are very passionate about these characters. However, I am trying to follow the story, so if you two would quiet down that would be ideal.“ Yi Sang of all people snapped at them.

When the duel between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan commenced, however, the room was almost completely silent, save for the quiet clicking of the mechanism of the projector.

„B.S.“ Ryoshu commented as she watched the duel.

„It´s not boring!“ Sinclair turned to Ryoshu on an instinct. „He´s fighting his pupil. There´s got to be a great amount of emotions in it.“

„There are better duels, though.“ I butted in. „This is one of the more boring ones. Then again, this movie is also the oldest in the franchise so it didn´t have as much funding as later ones.“

When Obi-Wan sacrificed himself, several people gasped, most audibly Don and Sinclair.

„Nay! This cannot be the master´s end!“ She cried. „Prithee, speak Alighiero, is it?“

„Yes… and no.“ I whispered with a wink. „He wasn´t joking when he claimed he´d become more powerful in the event of his passing. He sort of becomes this non-corporeal guiding spirit.“

I would not be exaggerating that much if I said that Don´s eyes grew as wide as dinner plates.

As the movie progressed, Heathcliff´s adoration and vexation with Han Solo reached its peak. „I can understand why the guy´d want to piss off at the most dangerous moment, but leaving friends in hot water like that? Despicable.“

„Does that mean you agree that Luke is the best character?“ Sinclair laughed quietly.

„Zip it!“

„You two are really sleeping on Leia you know that?“ Ishmael let out an exasperated sigh. „Going through with the plan to destroy that ship after her whole home was blown to bits? Now that is dedication and the mark of a true leader.“

„At last, the voice of reason.“ I clapped. „Leia is definitely my favorite, too.“

„Hey, Meursault, do you have a favorite?“ Gregor nudged Meursault who was silent the entire length of the movie so far.

„Oui.“ He nodded. „The droid unit identified as R2-D2.“ When Gregor blinked at him in confusion. „It demonstrated a great deal of efficiency. And it has an interesting personality as well.“

The rest of the movie passed by quite fast. To surprise of absolutely no one but Heathcliff, Han Solo reappeared and saved Luke´s butt from Darth Vader.

„I knew the bastard would come back!“ Heathcliff exclaimed loudly.

„You literally cursed his existence five minutes ago.“ Ishmael rolled her eyes.

„Use the Force, Luke.“ Obi-Wan spoke to Luke through the Force at the critically precise moment. Don squealed when she heard his voice, but was quickly shushed by the rest.

Everyone watched in silence as the proton charges disengaged and blew up the Death star just before it could fire. It exploded and cheers filled the small space – except for Rodion who had her mouth filled with popcorn.

As the medal was hung around his favorite´s neck. When Han then winked at Leia, Heathcliff grinned.

„What a couple of lovebirds.“

„You wish. They are so not getting together.“ Ishmael protested. „They are way too different on many levels... besides she likes Luke more.“

I decided to not tell everyone gushing over Luke and Leia that they were twins. There were still two more movies to watch and I wasn´t about to spoil anything when the likelihood that I would stumble on another large group of people who knew absolutely nothing about Star Wars was basically zero.

Dante, who constantly sat next to me stood up when the movie ended. „Alright, everyone, it´s time to get some rest.“

Multiple groans came as a reply as the Sinners departed to their respective rooms. I was about to leave, when I was stopped by Faust.

„There are things to discuss, Alighiero.“

„If this is about my fairly unhelpful advice in the morning-“ I raised arms in defense.

Faust and Dante looked at each other and then back at me.

„Faust meant to discuss the resonance you experienced with the Golden Bough.“ Dante scratched the back of their head.

„Oh. That.. right.“ I froze for a moment as I recalled the bits and pieces of memory that were brought forth by the Bough in Yi Sang´s Fathoms. „Okay, so what´s the matter?“

„We don´t have a certain way to know, but it is likely that similar things might continue happening as we go on. You are not one of the Sinners, but your past may be forcibly unveiled. Given your general predisposition to secrecy, Faust would assume that it would act as a deterrent from accompanying Dante and the Sinners going forward.“

I thought about it. There were many reasons to agree with the statement. I would be completely safe on the bus. I could take my time piecing together my memories and deliver a comprehensive guide on this or that day.

At the same time, the particular memory that the Fathoms pulled out was one that I have completely forgotten about. Most likely, walking through the Fathoms was the only way to relive that memory and find out more about the abnormality that saved my life. If I could learn how to control it, I could fight back and actually help out.

„I didn´t appreciate it, no. At the same time, that memory… I don´t remember what happened back then. If the only way to understand what happened that day is Bough resonance then I´ll endure it.“

„There is another angle Faust was considering, too.“ She explained. „We were under the assumption that the reason why you were pulled through the engine of Mephistopheles was an incredibly low-probability event. However, I propose that perhaps this was not entirely the case.“

„I don´t follow.“ I shifted in my seat.

„Put simply, your resonance with the Bough and with Dante suggests that there might be an additional underlying reason. This idea is supported by the abnormality actively helping you as well. In general, abnormalities have certain affinity towards the Golden Boughs. If it really did feature in the event as you were remembering it, there might be a pre-existing connection between your world and ours. To what extend… Faust doesn´t know yet, but there could be a way to return you where you belong.“

For a moment my eyes widened. Going home was my objective, after all. Yet, I couldn´t ignore that strange itch at the back of my head in regards to the Shadow Child that saved my life. The rock that seemed to be instrumental to its appearance came from my world, after all.

„As much as I would like to return home as soon as possible, there are details that don´t quite fit, like that abnormality in my memory. The Boughs don´t fabricate things, as far as I know and if there is a connection that allows for passage… it´s my duty to see to it that once I am home, it is closed off.“

Between all the impossibilities, a thought solidified in my head.

„I will take that into consideration, as well as the device you have worn along the day. We can´t ignore the fact that you haven´t experienced similar outbursts while in Calw.“ Faust nodded. „And in regards to your morning advice… Faust will not question it, that is up to the Manager. Goodnight.“ She said before leaving.

They considered their words for a moment and then spoke. „You´ve acted out on your own with Samjo and Dongrang. Though I see no problem with it… I would appreciate if I had known about what was going on ahead of time. That was what I asked of you in the morning.“

I looked at my feet, just to not face the judgemental stare of their clock.

„Look, Alighiero, I am not angry with you. I´m sure that your intentions were good, but my life depends on yours. If you take unexpected risks like you did with Samjo… I can´t protect you.“

I swallowed the uncomfortable memory and pushed it way down. It wasn´t like I knew the guy. „Samjo was… a miscalculation. All I was trying to do was prevent him from jumping into the vat of tears. He wasn´t supposed to…“ I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. I would not cry. I promised to myself that I would not show weakness, whatever it took. I would stay strong against all that the City threw at me.

„Look, Dante, I know you´d want me to be this convenient little treasure trove of information, but the thing is… I´m not anything of the sort. All I have is few memories in my brain to go off of.“ I tapped my temple.

„I thought you had access to the… story… on your phone.“ They cocked their head, which was a bit odd for someone with a circular head to do. I didn´t want to tell them, but I´ve walked myself into that one it seemed.

„So did I… I tried to check it the other day, to see how well I remembered the events, the order of things and such... but I can´t access anything that is beyond the point of present time.“ I let loose the secret I held so close to my chest. Although I would not tell Faust, out of fear of what might follow… I felt like I could trust Dante. „I guess it´s handy because no one else would be able to get to the information either if they happened to get hold of my phone, but it also means that I am advising you by feeling out the situation in the moment… and… what if I remember something wrong and then tell you one thing and something completely different happens because I send a ball rolling somewhere else, months ago and then the whole thing of planning falls apart and it´s me who is to blame because I´m the only person who sees all the cards, and-“

I didn´t really notice I was hugging my sides.

„...You´re afraid.“

„Fuck, of course I am afraid!“ I snapped at Dante, standing up. „This whole situation is so messed up that if I was any worse at containing all I think and feel about it, I would´ve gone mad the moment I realized where I wound up.“

I stood up and walked up to the window, looking outside. „And now the one thing I thought I had to offer you is a sham.“

„Look, I´m afraid, too.“ They said after a while of prolonged silence. „I want to be a good Manager, but… I feel like I´m not a good fit at all. It´s not like I´m doing all that much except bark out orders. A machine would probably do the same job with a better efficiency than me.“

I looked at them with half a smile. „Sure, you´re not the greatest manager in the world right now… but you can always learn to do better. Be better.“

Though I couldn´t read their expression, their ticking grew a bit softer. From that I assumed that we settled the things into calm waters once again. An idea crossed my mind.

„Maybe I could work on that, too.“

„What do you mean?“

„Well, I am the most killable person in the group at the moment.“ I pointed out to them once again. „Getting stronger in the most literal sense of the word might just be the way to go about things.“

The next morning

„Have you lost your mind since yesterday?“ Rodion worried. „Quick, tell me how many fingers I´m holding up.“

I rolled my eyes, checking one last time if the training gear was appropriately attached to my limbs. The last thing I wanted was to land Dante with a lot of damage to heal. „Yup. I am completely sane. And you are holding up coffee stirrers, not your fingers, Rodion.“

„Nah, I´m with Rodya on this - seems like a really bad idea.“ Heathcliff was shaking his head, but made no further moves to stop me. „Were there really no better options?“

„If you have a better one, I´m all ears.“

One last person stood in my way. It was Gregor with a worried expression. „She´ll run you into the ground.“

I sighed, turning to the three of them. „Guys, I appreciate your concern, I really do. But the enemies that Limbus Company will face in the near and more distant future will only get tougher and more ruthless. If I´m standing in the back next to Dante, being able to throw a few punches could be the difference between life and death for everyone.“

I met Outis outside the bus. Though training out in the street wasn´t the greatest idea in the world, having Meursault and Ryoshu on the standby in case of an ambush brushed off any worries about safety.

„Ready, soldier?“

„Yes ma´am.“ I squared off my shoulders. Though it´s been a while since I had to use any of my very basic self-defense, at least I wasn´t starting with absolutely nothing.

On the other han d, I might as well have, because I was face d own in the d ust in less than a minute.

„You call that self-defense? I´ve met rookies more evasive than you.“ I´ve spent enough time around her to figure out that it was just a taunt. I reached back for one of her legs, trying to pull it from under her.

Unsuccessfully.

And so the training went on… with my ass or face on the ground more often than not. About an hour later I was covered in bruises and few scrapes with only single Outis-approved hit under my belt. It didn´t even connect, but I could almost see a hint of a smile on her face.

„We´ll end it here for today.“ Outis said eventually. „Now that I have an idea of what kind of performance to expect from you, I can devise a training regimen.“

I could very clearly see why she stopped the training session. A group of very mean-looking people was closing in. They wore similar outfits, which meant they likely belonged to a Syndicate. „Sounds good to me.“

I hopped into the bus just in time before the doors closed and the Sinners started to beat up the wannabe assailants – most likely to turn them into fuel for Mephistopheles somewhere down the line.

„Looks like you´ve survived today´s training.“ Gregor smiled, patting my back with his one human hand. „And don´t let Outis´ comments get to your head… you weren´t doing half bad.“

„Thanks, Greg. But you don´t have to sugarcoat it.“ I said as I made my way to the kitchen. All that exercise made me hungry. „I only punch I threw at her didn´t even land. Also, I´m feeling muscles I didn´t even know I had. That hasn´t happened in ages.“

„Youff trainef beffove?“ Rodya asked with a bagel in her mouth as she was making a beverage I didn´t recognize and judging by the smell didn´t want to know what went into it.

„It wasn´t much, but before I had Fawkes around, I was working at a really seedy place where bunch of beefy guys twice my size went. Dealing with drunks like that would be inadvisable if I didn´t at least try to put some muscle on. And it sure came in handy after I got myself a dog because Fawkes definitely is the type to see a squirrel and pull on the leash with enough force to topple you if you aren´t paying attention. First two weeks with him felt like a bootcamp – waking me up at the crack of dawn and then dragging me around the block by the leash, still halfway-asleep...“ I scrolled through my phone to show Rodion the evidence of his last destructive stint. He tore up only one side of the sofa, but the foam from it was strewn all over the flat. „Many pieces of furniture have fell victim to his teeth when I slacked off early on.“

Rodion laughed, drinking that godforsaken beverage she made. She seemed to enjoy it, at least.

„Morning everyone.“ Sinclair greeted us, but his eyes stopped on me. „What´s happened to you?“

„Training.“

„Oh, that´s why you´re up so early.“ He laughed. „How´d it go?“

I gestured to my obviously sweaty mess. „Well, I´m still standing, so I guess it wasn´t that bad.“

There wasn´t much of ready-to-eat food besides very obvious ration packs. Knowing that beggars could not be choosers, though, I settled for crackers and hardly identifiable savory paste. Despite its looks, it tasted okay.

Slowly but surely, it seemed that I have adjusted to the rhythm of the days just fine. Between the training and helping Dante learn how to better use their Sinners in the Mirror dungeons, I still had plenty of time to borrow various leaflets and pamphlets from Ishmael. Gradually, the world of the City started to become marginally less terrifying.

I still had nights when sleep evaded me, though. There was no pattern to the night terrors that had me toss and turn. Though I indulged in Faust´s tea a few times without alerting her, but I made sure to not build it into a habit. Even with the help of the magic brew I was still waking up covered in cold sweat and heart beating like I´ve just ran a marathon, anyway. At least it helped me to not remember what I dreamed about.

Like that, sweaty mornings became just one more thing to get used to. With everything else going on, it was a non-issue, though.

It was about a month later when I was getting ready for bed. Outis took the training a little too seriously and it stretched far enough that it was getting dark outside. With the order of showering drawn while we were still outside, I happened to lose and had to wait for everyone to shower before I could do the same.

That´s how I wound up creeping into my room with my hair still a little damp when everyone was already retired to their rooms. To my surprise, in the dim light I bumped face first into Heathcliff.

Holding my aching nose, I whispered. „What the hell?! Heathcliff?“

„Oh… sorry Alighiero. Just… coming through.“

„The bathroom is on the opposite end of the corridor.“

„Uhm…“

The awkward silence had me blink at Heathcliff as my eyes adjusted to the dimmed lights.

„Look, Faust!“ He pointed in the opposite direction of the corridor and I turned there like a complete dumbass. Before I knew it Heathcliff was running into the off-limits depths of the Corridor. Knowing precisely what kind of shenanigans he would get into, I quickly got Dante and Faust for support. Knowing what was likely to transpire I also grabbed an extension cord that was left in Dante´s office the previous movie night.

Hearing Heathcliff´s scream echo through the Corridor would´ve made me freeze if I didn´t know what exactly was happening. As we ran, we came across a three-way crossroads.

„I think I heard screams coming from the middle.“ Dante told Faust, though I could´ve sworn I heard the sound from the fork to the right.

Faust darted left, however, leaving me and Dante with nothing else but to follow her.

„F-Faust, I know you´re in a hurry, but.. are you sure this is the right way? I could´ve sworn I heard the voice coming from the center path.“

„I know.“ Faust huffed from the exertion as she continued down the path she chose.

Right, center, left, left, then enter fifth door on the right… the path was melting before my eyes, but I kept hot on Faust´s and Dante´s heels. Then a long hall came into view and on the edge was a dropped that pulled on us as we got closer to the edge. I quickly unwound the extension cord and threw one end to Faust.

„Heathcliff!“

Under literally any other circumstances, seeing Heathcliff splayed and holding on the carpet for his dear life would be funny… but the scene was anything but.

„What the hell… is this… this place!“ He yelled.

Faust threw one end of the cord to him and he held on it as if it was some kind of a rope.

„Dante, grab the doorknob of that door. Grab it tightly. Alighiero, grab their other hand and the end of the cord. When I say, both of you pull with all your might. Heathcliff, you hold onto your dear life.“

„As if I could do anything else, dammit!“

„Now!“ Faust yelled and we pulled, but the cord was slipping in my hand. In that moment, I thought I heard a familiar sound – a full throttle of four paws on the carpet. I pulled and pulled and suddenly the pulling was actually feasible and Heathcliff began to move out of the depths. There was a familiar low growl at my feet, just as unflinching in the face of danger as I remembered him.

„Fawkes, pull!“ I commanded, but it was hardly necessary. He was intelligent enough to figure out what was happening, and event if he wasn´t, tug-of-war was one of his favorite games.

As soon as Heathcliff was pulled out of the Corridor´s pull, I grabbed Fawkes into my arms, Faust hoisted Heathcliff over her shoulder and we all ran the fuck outta there, the same way Faust lead us in the first place.

Huffing in the safety of the familiar part of the Corridor, I put Fawkes down and started to properly check him over, which came without all the kisses he could muster. I noted that ever since I grabbed him and ran, his tail hasn´t stopped wagging for a second.

„Phew, let us say that it is fortunate, Heathcliff was not lost in a deeper area.“ Only when Faust set Heathcliff down did I notice that he was unconscious. „Dante, you´ll have to rewind the clock.“

„Heathcliff´s... gonna be okay, right?“ Dante asked, not entirely sure who to turn to.

„Well, if this is true to what I know, yeah, he will. And you can be sure he´ll think twice before going any deeper than his own room.“ I said, stopping the pets just for a moment. Fawkes let out an Oscar worthy whimper as he sniffed around unconscious Heathcliff.

„Oh, good.“ Then, the clock turned and Heathcliff sprang up, startling Fawkes who scampered back to my feet, providing a physical, growling barrier that was wholly unnecessary.

„What the hell is… that thing?“ Heathcliff pushed out of his lungs, pointing at the smelly and a bit thin-looking hairy beast that was staring him down with teeth bared.

„Have some respect, this goofball just saved your ass.“ I took a firm hold of the chain collar around Fawkes´ neck. „Calm down, buddy. That´s just Heathcliff. Bit stupid, but he´s not so bad once you get to know him.“

„Hey!“ He protested, but I rolled my eyes at him skeptically. „Ugh… sorry about… that.“

„Hmm… this is… rather unexpected.“ Faust commented, kneeling down to also give Fawkes a once-over herself. „Aside from malnutrition, he seems to be unhurt.“

Sensing zero hostility from Faust, Fawkes started sniffing her all over, though she gently pushed him back. „I believe there is a piece of old ham in the fridge. An adequate treat for his help, I´d say.“

At the word „ham“, Fawkes basically started running circles around us, with a good amount of drool falling to the floor.

„Good work back there, you two. While it is unfortunate we have all a portion of our break time… to this… “ She glanced at Heathcliff, who was trying his damnest to get away from Fawkes looking for the ham in all the wrong places. „I suppose it served as a sufficient deterrent from further investigations into the depths of the Corridor. I bid you all good night.“ Faust said, returning to her room without any further elaborations regarding the Corridor.

„So… this is Fawkes?“ Dante asked, looking down at him as the three of us walked side by side to the kitchen where I plucked the ham from the fridge to feed my dog.

„Yeah… don´t ask me how he got here, I have no idea.“ I patted Fawkes´ head as he scarfed down the sliced meat. „My best guess is that he followed his nose somehow, but where he even entered into Corridor… I have not a clue.“

Carefully, Dante knelt down. Fawkes looked at them for a while, likely more than a fair share of confusion rocking about in his head. However, when Dante reached behind his ear for a scratch, he turned into the smiley goofball I knew and loved dearly. His tail was wagging again, supposing it had stopped at any point. I saw Heathcliff at the corner of my eye as he snuck past the kitchen and into his room without a word.

„I should probably get some sleep now.“ I said, yawning for emphasis. I was joined by Fawkes who copied the action, showing of rows of sharp teeth in his strong jaw.

„Yeah. Thanks for letting me know about Heathcliff. Quick thinking and all.“

„Goodnight, Dante.“ I smiled and walked up to my on room. I couldn´t know whether I would be allowed to even keep Fawkes around, but for at least one night, I knew I could. Of course I´d use that night to fully catch up on missed out cuddles, fully tucked in bed.

That night I slept like a log, with my hairy companion contently snoring next to me.

As I could´ve expected, I was woken up by a wet snoot all up in my face and couple of barks when I ignored the first warning. I was already halfway rising from the bed when Fawkes tugged the covers from the bed.

„Alright, alright, you hairy asshole, I´m up.“ I said with a smile. I couldn´t remember when was the last time I smiled so early in the morning and not drenched in sweat. I dressed myself and opened the door to the corridor, only to stumble on a small, chewed up object. I leaned down and picked up the old Swiss army knife. Judging by the teeth marks, Fawkes must´ve brought it there and only then has bolted into the Corridor to help with Heathcliff. In my ruminations, I failed to notice that Fawkes has already ran into the kitchen.

Not that I could keep his existence a secret with Faust, Dante and Heathcliff already in the know (and possibly Ryoshu, who would definitely figure out based on sounds coming from my room alone). But the least I could´ve hoped for was an orderly introduction to everyone, most importantly, Vergilius.

When I reached the kitchen, it was almost empty – save for the usual early morning duo of Meursault and Don Quixote, both of whom were staring at Fawkes who stood in the doorway, unsure how to proceed. I took hold of his collar just in case.

„Sorry about the scare…. Ehm… meet Fawkes. Fawkes, this is Meursault and Don.“ I pushed past Fawkes, leading the way with unsure dog by my side. When I was sure that he wasn´t going to jump at either of them I let go of his collar.

„Hello…“ Don reached towards his head, which Fawkes immediately understood and put his big head on her lap, wagging his tail and looking at her like she has hung up the stars in the sky. Meanwhile, Don looked like she was about to cry. „What a splendid occasion this is… say, young Meursault, am I dreaming still?“

„You are perfectly awake… though it is quite perplexing how the bus gained yet another occupant – overnight.“ He turned to me with a raised eyebrow.

I sighed. „Believe it or not, it started with Heathcliff´s dubious decision-making. As for Fawkes… he just appeared out of nowhere. Working theory is that he somehow sniffed me out, but it´s still pretty strange. Not that you´ll hear me complaining about it.“

He nodded and returned to both his coffee and the newspapers as if this was a perfectly ordinary daily occurrence. I quickly found a suitable bowl an filled it with water before setting it down. As I expected, Fawkes wasted little time going for a very loud and sloppy drink, getting water all over the floor and into his mouth.

Of course, I had to confront the man himself eventually, so I walked him to the main part of the bus where Vergilius was already sitting in the front. Losing the collar meant I was to use my phone instead, which was going to be a little more annoying, but it was less annoying than trying my hand at pantomime.

Even before I spoke, Vergilius´ head turned around, looking at the dog with scrutiny with his scarlet eyes. „So this is your dog?“

„Faust already told you what happened last night?“ I spoke through the dictaphone.

„She has… given the circumstances, there isn´t much to do about this. He is yours to keep, but the Company will not spend any amount of resources on him. I am sure you understand.“

Expecting a much more grave news. I let out a sigh of relief. „Thank you.“

Not all meets were so calm and collected, however. When Gregor appeared in the bus, I had to quickly grab hold of Fawkes´ collar as he was growling and barking at Gregor´s bug arm, as if he wanted to bite it clean off.

„Hey, hey, it´s okay buddy. Gregor is good. He´s good. Calm down!“ I hushed Fawkes, but even so, he remained quite wary of him. „Sorry. I guess you smell weird... or something.“

„I get it. It´s not personal.“ He waved it off, but I could tell he was a bit tense about it. „I wouldn´t trust myself either.“

One by one, the Sinners filled up the bus, with both new smells and presences. Heathcliff was dead last, very obviously wary of the large, hairy animal, even with his big bat close by. At that moment, the big-headed goof was sitting contently on top of Sinclair who wasn´t at all bothered by the big dog who was doing his best impression of a pampered chihuahua. Judging by Fawkes´ tail, he was having a field day and enjoying all the attention and pats he earned by just being a dog in a place where companions were limited to two legged coworkers and associates.

„Heathcliff, are you afraid of the dog?“ Ishmael eventually asked when she caught the wind of things. It was a rare opportunity to poke fun at him, and she apparently wasn´t going to pass it up.

Heathcliff´s refusal to comment on the topic only made it that much obvious how he was feeling about the situation.

„I´m sure he´s just shy about it. Animals with heads so big often bite strong and don´t let go until their catch is dead or too mangled to hold onto.“ Hong Lu laughed, only driving Heathcliff´s fears up the wall. What happened next didn´t help either.

Charon stopped the bus all of sudden. That occurrence alone wasn´t anything new, not with all the people in the Backstreets frequently harassing the bus. However, Fawkes took it as an opportunity to show off and jumped from Sinclair´s lap, growling and snapping at the front window, standing on his back legs with teeth bared.

When the obstacles were cleared, he plopped his butt down in front of Sinclair, awaiting praise for his service, which he was all too eager to give out.

One thing I was sure about – Fawkes would not be facing a food shortage anytime soon.

Chapter Text

Not long after Heathcliff´s little adventure, the roads were taking us through a particularly dull part of the City. Although the dungeon runs were still a thing that took place on a daily basis, most of the time was spent sitting around, which was annoying everyone, including Fawkes who, much like Heathcliff, decided it was prime time for naps as he curled up around Gregor´s feet.

As it turned out, his beef with Gregor was skin-deep and quickly disappeared thanks to all the canned meat Fawkes got to enjoy - much to the disgust of everyone besides Gregor (who was delighted that at least one inhabitant of the bus enjoyed his cooking).

Then again, Fawkes was a d og an d the stuff that cam e out of the can was basically wet d og foo d.

Having nothing else to do during the long drive, an important question came up: to Spotify or to not Spotify? Before subjecting everyone to my varied and, in my unbiased opinion, great taste in music, it would be for the best to keep three things in mind:

1. ask if everyone is on board

2. play only the songs that wouldn´t unintentionally let anything slip

3. avoid anything too explicit, you do NOT want to experience a mountain of embarrassment

Those three rules cut my playlist options down significantly. A wrench in my plans soon reared her head, because I was sitting next to Outis, The Snoop-master 1000, who was also bored out of her mind. She happened to glance at my phone´s screen at the precise moment when I was scrolling past the „Bratty Darling Sub Mix“. Needless to say, the look of mutual mortification we exchanged made me reconsider my earlier plan.

Between all the sounds of discontentment between the Sinners (aside from snoozing Heathcliff), Faust was the one to break the icebergs that have formed in the silent environment of the bus.

„We’re almost there. The road will free up once we exit this tunnel.“ Just as she finished, the traffic jam appeared to visibly improve. Charon even sped up a bit, which was an especially good sign.

„That’s good. I can’t see much yet, but I’m glad we’re almost there… speaking of which, our destination was…“

D ante´s q u e stion d i d n´t nee d further elaboration.

„Lobotomy Corp. branch, of course… at U Corp., to be specific.“ I said, almost hearing hair on the back of Ishmael´s neck stand up.

„Hmm… Alighiero has divulged our upcoming destination, didn´t they?“ Vergilius asked, noticing the slight drift in the atmosphere of the bus.

„Indeed. They have confirmed that our destination lies at the Lobotomy Corp. Branch in U Corp.“ Faust paraphrased my words. „Are there any specifics that we should know, Alighiero?“

„There are a few.“ I nodded. „Most importantly, the Bough will no longer be located at the Branch once we reach it, but we must head there regardless because a critically important ally will pass by and as far as I know, there isn´t really any other way of contacting him.“

„Who is this ally you speak of?“ Yi Sang asked with interest.

Preparing for the inevitable I sighed. „The Indigo Elder.“

„OOOOOHOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!“

As anyone acquainted with Don Quixote could gather, she got excited at the prospects of working with a Color Fixer. She did manage to wake up both Heathcliff and Fawkes, but given that our stop was nearing, it wasn´t the end of the world.

„...on top of that, there are few things that could make our journey much more difficult, but avoiding them is stupid easy, so I´ll just let you know as the details come into play… it´s possible that some of them might not even happen if we play our cards right.“ I finished.

I coul d hear Ishmael stir in her seat.

„One more thing to mention…“ Vergilius butted in. „We are currently headed to a temporary stop.“ Just as Vergilius finished his sentence, the bus left the tunnel the interior was bathed in daylight.

„Woahhh!“ don Quixote practically plastered her face against the glass. Though Sinclair kept some distance from the surface of the window, he too was captivated by the view of the azure line on the horizon, bordered by pale, sandy beach.

„That’s…!“

„Do I behold the G-Great Lake yonder?!“ Don exclaimed as the Sinners turned to look outside, woken up by her earlier excitement.

„…Whew, now that's a sight I’ve not seen in a long time!“

„Oh Greg, darling! You’ve been here before? I’ve only ever heard of this place, never been myself.“ Rodion and Gregor chatted excitedly and were soon joined by others… except one.

Ishmael.

Her eyes were shifting around the space of the bus. „Wait, wait… It can’t be my turn already! I… No, we’re still not ready for this.“

Her gaze met mine and I could tell that she was going to pester me about each and every detail of the journey, no matter how many times I shut her down.

„Ishmael… you good?“ Dante asked her, noticing her sudden nervous fixation on me.

„N-no. Uh… give me a moment… I need some time to think…“ She mumbled.

In spite of Ishmael´s anxiety rearing up its ugly hea d, the rest of the bus was bubbling with enthusiasm.

„S-so, we are journeying toward the Great Lake?!“ Don Quixote was practically jumping in her seat.

Though Sinclair was much less hyper, it was obvious that he wasn´t any less excited – he just had a bit more control over it. „I’ve only heard of the Great Lake but never saw it myself… So this is what it looks like, huh…“

„Ooh… Perhaps our trying journey shall finally be rewarded with a seaside picnic!“ Don mused, totally oblivious to the fact that we weren´t taking any turns towards the pristine beaches.

„Aha~ I suppose spending a nice vacation here could be a fun experience!“

„If we were permitted to rest, I wish to lie upon the summery sand and gaze up at the skies.“

„I could use some nice tanning on a long bench~“

„I wish to try the game of beach volleyball! With everyone, that is!“

I was only mildly disappointed to hear that Don´s pronunciation did not contain the iconic „BEACH VOLLEYBURR“. At last, Gregor was the one to actually see beyond the blue ocean and golden sands and actually ask a sensible question.

„Hey, guide bud. Are we really stopping at the beach?“

„What do you think?“ Vergilius replied in the tone dripping with schadenfreude. „Charon.“

„Gonna hitch wheels in a ditch. Screech.“

Charon jerked the bus into an impressive drift. More impressively, I managed to hold onto my seat and my dog and avoid either of us getting thrown to the floor.

„Owowow… What treachery is this? An ambush?!“ Don Quixote cried from the bus floor, joined on the flat surface by Sinclair and Gregor who also didn´t manage to grab onto something immovable quickly enough.

„No. This is our stop.“

I didn´t need to look out to know that the place we stopped at was going to be horrendous. The stink reached my nose before I even had a chance to do so.

„WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE WINGS?!!!!“ If there were any sleepy Sinners, they certainly weren´t sleepy anymore. Don made sure of that. „This cannot be… How art we to enjoy our vacaciones at a locale such as this?“

„This may come as a surprise to you, Don Quixote… But Vergilius never mentioned that we’re here on a vacation.“ Gregor patted her shoulder, though it didn´t look to bring her much comfort.

„Well… it is rather quaint. NB.“

At least Ryoshu was happy.

„Hark! Right hither is the aforeseen beach!“ Don pointed to the shimmering barrier. I quickly grabbed hold of Fawkes´ collar just so he wouldn´t run off. He seemed to be unbothered by the awful stench, looking around with interest.

It was a while since we last stopped and he really needed to do his business somewhere. Anywhere.

„Wherefore art we not journeying in that direction?! Its air appears pristine, its skies clear!“ don complained loudly to Faust.

„Because that's not our destination.“ She replied.

„This cannot be…“

The Sinners’ faces grew dark with disappointment. „I had a feeling this was going to happen.“ Dante sighed in discontentment along with the rest. „S-so, where is this, exactly?“

„This is…“

„-District 21. Backstreets of U Corp…“ Ishmael sighed. „Haah… Dammit, we’re really not ready for this.“

„…Yes.“

Though Faust was going to explain things, Ishmael was faster. Granted, it was her home turf, so Faust should´ve expected that.

„So that’s why there hasn’t been congestion since the tunnel? Because we’re not in a Nest?“ Dante asked.

„That depends on the Nest and their Backstreets, so such generalizations are not encouraged. It seems to be the case this time, however.“ Faust replied, glad to have retained some amount of informational authority.

„Is that a private beach over there? The water… its colors are very different from this side’s.“ Hong Lu pointed towards the barrier Don noticed earlier.

„I see. A boundary, as though hewn by a blade. Those are telltale signs of the place's nature.“ Outis said, though, it was barely necessary to comment on it.

„Indeed, this is-“

„The Great Lake. That’s just how it has always been. You can assume that a well-maintained vacation spot like that… is usually Nest territory.“ Ishmael finished for Faust once again.

„My explanations keep getting hijacked.“ She grumbled to herself.

„Look at all this minging rubbish, the place is in shambles. I’d be gobsmacked if this weren’t the Backstreets.“ Heathcliff pointed around. I couldn´t do anything but agree… if the place we stood in was the Nest, Backstreets would have to be practically unlivable to warrant the Nest to be so… disgusting in every sense of the word. The regular disgust of the place was soon accompanied by a pile of dog poop and urine. However, just after he did his thing, Fawkes snapped into protection mode, growling at a nearby pile of scrap metal.

„Oho! Behold, hither is a rather useful-“ Don walked up to a small pile of garbage, only to recoil moments later.

„What? Finish your sentence!“

„…It moved.“ She muttered, holding her lance with the pointy end turned towards the pile.

„What?“

„It´s a hermit crab.“ I deadpanned. „Better get ready to smack it dead, they aren´t friendly.“

„Wha… What are you on abou- Woah?!“ Heathcliff jumped as the crab in question showed its stalky eyes and bumpy carapace of it limbs.

Luckily, the shell of that trash crab wasn´t particularly strong and few hits of Heathcliff´s bat later (he was being very brave and definitely didn´t keep hitting the crab to make sure it was DEAD dead) the crab was sufficiently taken care of… and beyond.

„Haah… So what are these bug-crab-things?!“ Heathcliff poked the dead crab with his bat, probably checking if it really was not-coming-back-from-the-death dead.

Gregor winced. „Hey now… What are you looking at me for? What makes you think I’d know?“

„I wasn’t even gawking at you! You’re paranoid, that’s what!“ Heathcliff snapped back at him. „!Can't even talk about bugs around this guy…“

„They’re trash crabs, not hermit crabs.“ Ishmael rolled her eyes at me, probably disappointed I got a tiny bit of trivia wrong. „They collect trash or scrap like that on their shells, and use them as their homes and weapons.“

Yup, they are oversized hermit crabs alright. But I decided to not rile up Ishmael any more. Though she wasn´t one to brawl unless your name was Heathcliff, I was not going to stake the structural soundness of my bones on it.

„They’re a tiresome lot… They ambush people working by the waters, attack those wandering in the area, and their numbers grow by the day… but they’re just one of the innumerable small fries of the Great Lake. What’s more important, and more treacherous, is…“

We locked eyes. I nodded. I didn´t particularly want to go whaling either, but… there weren´t exactly options to choose from.

„I-Ishmael?“ Dante tried to speak to her, but the private conversation was rudely cut short by newcomers.

„Hey guys~ Already hard at work, huh?“

A couple of people in work overalls seemed to be approaching from a distance.

„Mika, Mika! They’re our valued customers. Watch your manners!“

„Oh… Okay, I guess?“ Mika replied, rolling her eyes behind the glasses.

„What’re those R&Ts?“ Ryoshu blew a stream of smoke in their general direction.

„I think she’s calling them Rags and Tags…“ Sinclair whispered to Dante.

Mika´s eyes narrowed. „Rain, they’re calling us ragtags… Do I really have to watch my manners?“

Rain did his best to calm Mika down, but it was a half-hearted effort. I found myself kind of wishing I had that metal collar thingy because fumbling with my phone and holding Fawkes at the same time was kind of difficult. He was very clearly itching to check out the new people.

„They could be enemies.“ Outis guessed, but I elbowed her side.

„Actually, they were hired by the Limbus Company.“

„What´s with that person? Are they like, messed up in the head?“ Mika pointed at me with her chin. I did my best to not glare, but it was difficult.

„No, you are simply not authorized to understand them. Regardless, you should be glad, because they have just confirmed your identity.“

„Pleased to meet you, Mika, Rain. We are LCB, also known as the Limbus Company Bus Department.“ Faust pushed through to the front.

„Bus… Right. That’s what that person said, too—you guys are the bus blokes.“ Mika pushed her glasses further up the bridge of her nose.

„I was informed that the LCC Before Team was here first. By "that person", do you mean…“ Faust asked, but was interrupted by Rain.

„Sorry, let me check the business card again… LCC…B. Right, all accounted… for.“ Rain was looking at Fawkes with a certain level of caution. Or maybe it was disgust because he was drooling. Then again, at the place like the mudflat, Fawkes´ drool could hardly be considered offensive. „Now that we’re clear, why don’t we continue this conversation back at the shop? Let’s take a look at that bus, too. This is an awkward place to talk, you know?“

„We're… their customers?“ Dante whispered.

„Our destination, U Corp, is a Nest composed of various nautical structures. Therefore, Mephistopheles in its current form cannot reach there.“ Faust explained.

„And… the Great Lake’s environs are unpredictable. You’re going to need a ship… that can withstand such capriciousness.“ Ishmael rubbed her chin. I could not comprehend what things were running through her head, but I knew that about three quarters were dedicated to all the things that could kill and eat us out there… not necessarily in that order, either.

„That's right. Which is why we sought out a contract with an adequate shop to modify the bus.“ Vergilius popped at our side like some kind of a ghost, making me jump. He seemed even slightly amused by it.

Asshole.

„Huh… Adequate, you say?“ Gregor looked over the Molar Boatworks structure. From the outside it really looked like… well, not much. Maybe like a place to hotwire a car in before getting chased by police and then pulling out tommy guns from the back and shooting anyone who asked questions about the business´ legitimacy.

„Hmph. Let’s go in.“ Vergilius basically herded us inside, which was much more spacious than it seemed. I was kind of sad, because I would love to make a Doctor Who joke or two… but for one, the people around would not get it, and even if they did, that sort of technology was common enough in the City that it wouldn´t even be funny.

It was a sad day for comedy indeed.

„Rain~ I’m going to take a look at this bus, so why don’t you get them to recepti— I mean, entertain the guests?“ Mika said before disappearing into the back of the shop where Mephistopheles was parked.

„…Okay.“

The workshop was packed with tools and various mechanical things I could not even name, let alone understand what they were used for. Maybe if I paid more attention to the tools in all the movies about fast cars I would understand a little more. But alas...

„Hm. It seems to me that this workshop is capable of making more sophisticated modifications than it initially appeared.“ Outis commented, perusing the various tools hanging on the wall.

„Ah, you recognize these?“ Rain asked.

„During the war, it was of utmost importance to have a general understanding of arms and gear workshops.“

„Ah…“

The awkward silence was cut short by a sudden and deafening screech. As I covered my ears, Fawkes ran out of the shop. I ran after him, naturally.

„Fawkes, stop!“ I caught up to him just to see an army of crabs barrelling towards the shop. „Shit.“ In the distance was an enormous king crab, looking more like a mobile house than an animal. Fawkes whimpered, tugging me back into the shop by my pants. I didn´t need to be told twice.

„Crab o´clock outside.“ I let everyone know… well, most of them, anyway. Even fewer of them understood what exactly that meant.

„E-everyone, outside, now!“ Dante commanded.

The giant King crab with a massive shipping container on its back loomed over us – for a moment, at least. Until the hottest woman of the Boatworks appeared, descending like the goddamn Wonder Woman deluxe from the mist above the crab.

The King Crab shrieked, but she was on top of the things… literally.

„Sit still... Quit strugglin’!“ She dug into its head or similar part, through the top with her huge arm harpoon thing. An explosion erupted soon after and she leaped down, doing the whole Superhero Landing™. Truly a character of all time.

The crab meanwhile let out another bellowing sound and scampered off into the distance from whence it came.

„I-is it fleeing?“ Sinclair asked as he poked his head from behind Meursault.

„Ha!“ She squelched over the mudflat in her swim fins and stood before us, harpoon resting on her shoulder. „Right, so you lot are… the bus people that fella mentioned?“

Fawkes barked in agreement for all of us.

„Allow me to formally introduce them, with Olga this time.“ Faust stood to the front. „They are from the Molar Boatworks, here to help us with 'modifications' for Mephistopheles.“

„Woah… We’re getting a whole intro and everything? Color me flattered.“ Olga laughed jovially.

„Big Sis, they’re still our dear customers! We should watch our.“ Rain, of course was trying his best to keep the air of professionalism… if only he knew what kind of people he was speaking to, he wouldn´t have bothered.

„Aw, come on! I didn’t do nothing wrong, did I? Bugger, I didn’t even do anything yet!“

„Sigh… 'Yet' being the keyword here… our business just opened, so there's nothing wrong with being a little careful.“

„I’d imagine the sudden switch in your career path couldn't have been easy. Was it manageable…“ Vergilius interjected, but paused for a moment. „…Olga, Grade 5 Fixer.“ He said about as quietly as he was able.

„Well-“

„F I X E R ?!“

Yup, Don´s hearing was unharmed by Mephistopheles manic panic alarm.

„W-wha?“

„Thou'rt a Fixer?! I thought I had caught scent of a noble one! Wherefore hast thou strayed from the path of a Fixer? The life of a Fixer must have been a grueling one, surely? Where was thy most prolific district?! Which Association and which test hast thou taken to rise to become a Grade 5 Fixer? A workshop exam at Tres Association, indeed? Hmm? Hmm?“

It took a glare from Vergilius to stop Don in her tracks.

„Fine, yes I understand!“ She promptly backed down.

„I apologize, Olga. Soon there will be peace and quiet.“

„The Red Gaze… Gree...tings? I guess? Blimey, it's been so long since I had to be so polite!“ Olga breathed heavily, sweat beads already forming on her forehead.

„Well, that's polite enough.“ He waved his hand over the matter. „It seems that people have been returning one by one from the books since the incident at the 'Library'. How was it for you?“

„Same story here... One moment I was like 'Huhn? Am I dead?' And next, I’m suddenly waking up somewhere around here! No Mika, no Rain, stomach hankerin’, thought I should grab myself a nosh, so …And uh… how’d it go again?“

I smiled to myself. I definitely lucked out with Dante reeling me in into relatively safe environment of Limbus Company. Had it been Hermann or someone from the Ring… I would not be able to keep my cool, that was for sure. Then again… they didn´t have the technology to do something like that… hopefully.

„A trash crab appeared, you fashioned a few things around you into a weapon, smashed its head in and turned it into a barbecue.“

„Tasted like arse, though.“ Olga winced at the memory.

„Then you started selling scrap metal from the back of those crabs.“ Rain continued, making Olga laugh.

„Haah! Okay, Rain. How about I leave the storytelling to you, yeah?“ She smacked his back lightly.

„Hm, That Olga lady’s got a pretty flippant personality, huh?“

„Yeah, Rodya. Like someone else I know.“ Dante ticked at Rodion who smirked.

„Uhuhu, I have no idea who you’re talking about.“

Olga´s eyes shined with interest. „Ohoho? What's this? That’s a… prosthetic head, innit?“

„Big Sis, we’ll be here all day if you keep derailing…“ Rain rolled his eyes.

„Tsk, okay. I gotcha, I gotcha.“

The discussion continued, filling others on the details of getting booked at the Library. I didn´t particularly bother to listen, since I pretty much knew what happened then, albeit from a slightly different perspective.

Fawkes, on the other hand, was not going to pass up the opportunity to get extra scratches behind his ears – which Olga was apparently very good at, because before I knew it, Fawkes was lying on his back with his head in her lap, getting belly rubs.

A position many people back home would kill for, that´s certain.

„Hm. So there wasn’t any particular order in which they were returned from the book. The patterns have yet to reveal themselves to me.“ Vergilius muttered to himself, looking towards Faust who simply nodded.

„What´s with them, by the way?“ Olga asked. „They´ve got no prosthetic, but Rain mentioned that whatever they say is unintelligible, like the speech of your clock-headed manager.“

„That is confidential.“ Faust shut her down. „Is something wrong, Alighiero?“ She looked at me as I fiddled with Fawkes´ collar.

I shook my head. „It´s fine, I´ve just been thinking that it would be a good time to find a proper lead for Fawkes.“

Faust nodded, taking hold of the collar, inspecting the chain links. „I see.“

„I-Ishmael, so you’ve been here before? It looked like you recognized those crabs from earlier.“ Dante did their best to open up the touchy subject… it was still a bit of a disaster, though.

„…Yes. Is that a problem?“

I couldn´t tell exactly if Ishmael was acting like that because I haven´t been exactly forward with divulging information or just because Dante was fumbling. Most likely it was the combination of both.

„Huh? No… not really. I’m just wondering how they taste. It sounds like people eat those crabs.“

Great save Dante… Ishmael wasn´t fooled, but hey, at least you tried.

„I can see plain as day what you’re trying to do with that inane question, but… I’ll entertain it anyway. Yes. I’ve had it more than a few times as crab chowder. It was a pretty digestible flavor, once I got past the vomit traveling back up my esophagus.“

That visual wasn´t going to leave my mind for a while, so I decided I wouldn´t try the crab – unless there was absolutely, positively nothing else to eat.

„Does that answer your question?“

„Uh… yeah. T-thanks?“

Overhearing the exchange, Sinclair piped in, sensing the stand-offish vibes. „So… that thing is edible, huh… Eugh, it almost looks like an A-Abnormality or a Distortion.“

„No, I don’t think that’s an Abnormality or a Distortion.“

„Really? Then-“

„Since Dante can distinguish between an Abnormality and a Distortion, they were able to tell without me explaining.“ Faust provided the necessary information swiftly and eagerly. „They are living organisms. Mutants, if you will. Theoretically speaking, there shouldn’t be any problem with ingesting them.“

„Grandmother used to collect mutated animals, too. I’ve never seen anything like this one, though—what a priceless experience!“ Hong Lu butted in with his signature smile.

A grandma that collects mutants… I could only hope she wasn´t anything like Hermann, but given the setting… that was wishful thinking at best.

The odds were that she would turn out to be much worse, if anything.

„Yep, so they’re pretty much our daily grub!“ Mika walked over from inside of the workshop, an inscrutable look on her face.

„Mika! So how much of it do we gotta work on ‘ere?“ Olga asked.

„You know, there's this thing that my father who worked in a workshop used to say: the whole shebang.“

„What, all the way down to the engines, or something like that?“ Heathcliff scratched the back of his head. He wasn´t the technology guy of the group, but „whole shebang“ was descriptive enough even for him to understand.

„No, not that far. …I won’t dare go tinkering with that thing, either. I saw the internals of the bus, and… it’s on a whole 'nother level of complexity. But yeah, pretty much everything else has to be changed. No floatation device, no propellers, no steering gear, nothing.“

She listed off the parts as if we were all seafearing experts, but the point was, we needed a ship. And Mephistopheles was a bus.

Naturally, the answer was to give the bus a magic girl transformation ability... as you do.

„So… what do we do now?“ Dante turned to Faust.

„This was to be expected. Please present us with a solution.“

„Did the manager say something? Or do they just tick-tock sometimes? Well, anyway. We do have a plan to fix it. What we lack are the parts.“ Mika explained.

It was time to assume the role of the Tatooine scavangers.
Target? The trash crabs. Lots and lots of trash crabs.

„Parts for the bus… What, do you need us to collect scrap or something?“

At least Gregor caught on.

„Yep, exactly. And from what I’ve seen so far, I’m certain you and your company are… cut out for the job.“ Mika pointed outside. „Defeat the trash crabs, and you should be able to collect the scrap they're carrying.“

„How many do we need to kill?“

„Uh… a lot?“

„Haah… Of course. That’s what we’re here for, isn't it?“ Gregor sighed.

„Precisely.“ Vergilius smiled with that same shiteating grin from before. „Your job at this stop is to collect parts to modify the bus. It’s a far simpler and easier job than retrieving a Golden Bough. Now then, while I converse with our cooperators… Everyone, to the beach… except for Alighiero, that is.

„Noted, but I also have an idea in regards to easier crab collection.“

„Oho! Mayhaps a powerful technique? Or a secret vulnerable spot?“ Don´s eyes shined but I could only laugh.

„No… it´s much more primitive.“ I said as I picked up a random megaphone that looked like it was stuck in the mudflat for some time. Somehow, it was still amplifying sounds, though, which was the only function I needed from it. „But those crabs aren´t particularly smart, either. To attract a dumb beast, you´ve got to think like one.“

Was the first song I put on through the megaphone the Crab Rave?

Of course it was.

To my surprise, it even worked. In fact, it worked so well that carting the gathered scrap to the workshop before dark became a bit of an issue.

„Is this the last of it?“ Olga asked as we dragged ourselves into the workshop. Everyone was filthy and smelled of sweat… well, anyone except for Fawkes who opted to watch Mika and Rain work on the bus.

I wiped the muck off of my face after lugging in a large piece of what I could only assume was a bumper of a car once. „This is the last.“ I said, accompanying my words with an exaggerated nodding.

„Faust mentioned you were looking for some sort of a lead for your dog. This looked like it could be good enough.“ She said, handing me a mostly cleaned chain. Oddly enough, the weight, length and the shape of it was exactly the same as the Fawkes´ lead back home – down to the scratched up carabiner that connected to the collar. „The metal´s not really good to use in the workshop, but unless that animal has some kind of enhancements, it should be more than enough for your needs.“

I nodded with a smile. „Thanks, Olga.“ Fawkes, seeing the lead in my hand, immediately trotted up to my side and waited until I attached the lead to his collar.

„We are not going for a walk. Nights here are dark and full of terrors... I will try to find you some grub, okay?“ I scratched him under his chin shortly before someone cleared their throat behind me.

I was kneeling down in front of Fawkes, so when I turned to have a look at who that was, my face came to contact with a thick waterfall of long ginger waves.

„Alighiero, we need to talk.“

Chapter Text

I stoo d up, meeting Ishmael´s shifty eyes.

„We´re not ready for this. You should understand that better than anyone. We´ve got to tell Vergilius. Get Dante to tell him that we have to-“

„No.“

Her attitude immediately turned for worse. „No? NO?! What do you mean „no“? We are nowhere near ready for this.“

I shrugged. „That´s true. But it´s happening regardless of whether you are ready or not.“

Ishmael gritted her teeth. „I´m the only person who´s even remotely ready-“

„-and you´re still afraid, because you know what we´ll be facing.“ I finished for her with a sigh. „Welcome to the Knowers club.“ Before she had the time refute me again, I continued. „Gregor wasn´t ready to confront Hermann. Rodion wasn´t ready to face Sonya, even though she´d tell you otherwise if you asked. Sinclair definitely wasn´t ready to confront Kromer and Yi Sang wasn´t particularly ready for what happened with Dongrang and Dongbaek, either. You see what I´m getting at? Nobody ever goes into their canto ready.“

Fawkes tried his best to comfort Ishmael, probably sensing all the anxiety in the air. He nudged at her hand with his nose, but she ignored him.

„The other night… I overheard you talking to Dante.“ Ishmael whispered. „In guiding us, you rely solely on your memory.“

„I remember enough, Ishmael.“ I whispered back. „Enough to help us avoid the worst of the Lake. Do you not trust me on that?“

Ishmael glared back at me before walking away without any follow up words. I decided to join the rest of the group, just in case she was going to pull something regrettable.

„Hang on a sec, though~ How does collecting these pieces of scrap even help modify the bus?“ Rodion wondered out loud.

„Of course, if we were simply bolting these scraps onto the bus willy-nilly, it wouldn’t amount to much… but using U Corp's Singularity to fuse the parts, we can make them work as though they were tailor-made for this bus.“ Mika explained as she wiped black oil off her hands.

„U Corp…? I thought their deal was some kind of a food packaging tech?“ Rodion said, recalling memories from way back. „You know, stuff that stops the contents inside from spoiling or changing in any way until you open the packaging? I used to eat a bunch of their canned food…“

Rain smiled. „Funny, Big Sis said the exact same thing. Some Nests have more than one way of using their Singularity, in case you didn't know.“

As was customary, Faust was ready to swiftly deliver the explanation. „…If the working principle is the same, one can always utilize the Singularity's fundamentals to patent a Singularity-based technology at A Corp. U Corp is not only known for its stasis preservation packaging but also for its resonance tuning fork.“

The mention of the tuning fork had immediate effect on Ishmael. Almost as if Faust wanted her to start inching closer and closer to the ultimate breaking point.

„Resonance tuning fork… just like that bastard… entwined, fused with… things… and eventually devour them all… as though they've never even existed…“ She twitched as she muttered under her breath.

Wasn´t that the precise thing the Company was doing all this time? Just pushing and pushing until the climactic reveal of the Golden Bough tied to some past trauma… always by such despicable means… I could not wait to get back home and let the City be just a fictional world once again.

„Ishmael… What’s the problem?“ Dante asked, launching Ishmael to try and swim against the current.

„Dante. You have to tell Vergilius immediately. Tell him that we have to collect the Golden Boughs of other branches first.“

„Ishmael… Are you okay?“

„No, no. We are not ready. We’re inexperienced, we don’t know enough about the Great Lake, nor about the whale… I know, I’ll help you out. I’ll help you make Vergilius understand. We shouldn't go there, not yet. I’m telling you, that place is…!“

As if Ishmael going a little cray-cray wasn´t bad enough, Heathcliff decided it was a good time for him to butt in.

„Blimey, what's gotten you goin’ mardy, eh? What, gettin’ collywobbles from the crab chowder or something?“

„We all scraped through the same crab guts, but I’m totally fine.“ Ishmael barked back.

„So what’s got you throwin’ a wobbly? We´ve got Alighiero to fill us in on what we need to know to avoid the worst of things. Even if we haven´t, we’ve been dead enough times to get used to it!"

Ishmael rolled her yes with an ironic smile. „Dying your way through a mission isn’t really something to be proud of, Heathcliff. If we were your average Fixers, we would've been dead and gone on our very first mission-“

„But you are not.“ I interjected. „That´s the difference.“

„What they said! I’ve had enough years toilin’ and brushing with death for the Syndicates of the Backstreets to know that I’ve got but one life! But it’s different now! Clockface’s here to bring us back every time!“

„Oh, so you think we’ve seen everything there is to see at this point? You know that’s not true. In the worst case scenario, Dante could turn the clock all day and not be able to bring us back!“

I was suddenly reminded of the nightmare that´s been haunting me ever since Calw. Sinners, all dead, bleeding out on the floor of the bus kitchen… stacked up high, never to wake up again.

„What if we encounter something we can never come back right from? Especially that monstrous whale…“ Ishmael was almost drawing close to opening up, but as quickly as she did, she retreated back into her shell. „Ah, nevermind.“

„Oh, don’t do that. Like I won't understand a thing. It narks me when you treat me like a stupid sod.“

„…Ha.“

„You-!“

I was about to get between the two of them to prevent the argument getting any more heated, but Yi Sang was on top of the things.

„Now, if you will allow me to inquire!“ He loudly inserted himself into the conversation, which was most unlike him. The surprise alone shut them both up. „Let us call to mind the various desires of ours that we so enthusiastically proclaimed on our journey here. It is true, there is still significant toil to be had. Yet it can also be said that we have accomplished things that we could hardly imagine to come close to.“

„Perhaps a momentary respite is warranted. Isn’t that true, Dante?“ He added, turning to the manager.

Dante nodded. „Yeah, I agree with Yi Sang. I think we can slow down for a bit and do some team-building activities together, how’s that sound?“

„Sure, I think you guys can take some time off. We’ll let you know once we're ready.“ Rain called in from the back before disappearing deeper into the workshop.

To be fair, he probably just wanted to be as far from the proverbial powder keg as he could.

It was rather dark however, so no volleyball could be had for the time being, despite Don´s determination to find the ball the next day and stage a proper tournament once it was acquired. There was still a need for an activity though and since no one was coming up with anything I proposed the first thing that came to mind – pictionary.

Splitting into two teams was fairly straightforward. Ishmael and Heathcliff were obviously spearheading the splitting in the first place. Funnily enough, the groups formed to be what the cook-off groups would have been if I didn´t intervene, with the slight change of Dante being on Ishmael´s team and me joining Heathcliff´s. I would´ve joined in with Ishmael, but with her current mood and with advantage of having Faust on their team, that would likely lead to arguments which was the exact opposite of what the activity was supposed to do.

Having set up two whiteboards and erasable markers, the game started. First up was Meursault and Outis, who both began to scribble on their respective boards after agreeing on a word – which took no more than five seconds.

It was immediately obvious the two took very different approaches to drawing the prompt they agreed on. Meursault was meticulously drawing half-a-pill shaped… something, whilst Outis went with a very simplified approach: quickly drawing a star and an explosion.

„Star?“

„Nightsky! It´s got to be nightsky.“

Outis angrily shook her head and pointed to the explosion. „Fireworks?“ Rodion asked, but was unsuccessful, so I turned attention to Meursault´s board instead, only to see perfect drawing of R2-D2. It was obvious.

„STAR WARS!“

Meursault calmly nodded while Outis angrily put down the marker and relinquished her spot to Dante.

„It was so obvious!“ She grumbled at her teammates. Her spot was taken by Dante while I took the drawer´s role on out team.

I took dante aside to decide the prompt. They immediately commended my effort. „They are looking a bit calmer. Good thinking.“

„Thanks. Now, about the prompt… how do you feel about „time“ ?“

They paused for a moment but nodded quickly. „Easy to draw and guess… I think it´s best to go with that. To keep our side happy.“

„Yeah…“ I nodded in agreement before grabbing the marker and drawing the circle with the clock hands and dots to represent the numbers. Dante´s drawing was no more detailed, however they included arrows suggesting movement and thus had something closer to the actual answer.

„Clock! No… Dante?“

I shook my head. In the meantime, the correct answer came from Sinclair on the other side.

„Should´ve picked something less abstract.“ I scratched the back of my head apologetically aas I handed the marker to Hong Lu. „Try to negotiate something easy to guess. Good luck.“

Hong Lu and Sinclair were standing aside a little bit longer, but returned soon enough because Ryoshu was staring daggers into both of them. Then the drawing resumed. While Sinclair was drawing shapes that looked like broccoli, Hong Lu was drawing some branching, stick looking things in long, artistic strokes, wielding marker more like a brush.

„Golden Bough?“ Gregor asked in a very unsure tone. Hong Lu smiled and shook his head, adding leaves to the sticks, denoting they were supposed to be trees.

„Trees. They´ve got to be trees.“ Outis pointed out. „Faust, what do you think?“

„Hmm… the answer is forest, is it not?“ She said. It was indeed the correct answer.

„I believe it is time I took the mantle.“ Yi Sang said as he sauntered over to the board where he was joined by Faust. They decided on the prompt almost wordlessly.

Unlike the previous turns, however, theirs was not quick at all. Maybe it was because Faust was drawing broken chains while Yi Sang drew a bird flying high up in the sky. Neither bothered to elaborate their respective drawings, either, leaving both sides to guess endlessly.

„Someone free us from this torment…“ Heathcliff rolled his eyes, settling in for a nap. He wasn´t even all about the game, he just wanted it to be over. That was when Yi Sang´s marker has striked him in the face.

„THE HELL??“ He shot up, only to see Yi Sang wildly gesturing to the bird. Unfortunately, Heathcliff was not fast enough.

„Freedom! It´s freedom, right Faust?“ Dante called out, egaged in the game themselves.

Faust nodded and Heathcliff was so relieved he didn´t even care about getting the answer wrong.

Naturally, Don and Ryoshu were next up and they barely started to draw when „child“ came out of Gregor´s mouth ad happened to be the correct answer.

„My turn now…“ Ishmael stood up. Heathcliff´s fire must´ve reignited though, because he pushed past Gregor to face off against Ishmael.

Not good at all, which was something that Dante noticed, too. It became especially obvious as Heathcliff started to draw a tombstone, while Ishmael was meticulously sketching a hearse.

All bets were off. No one wanted to speak that into existence.

„What, cat got your tongues?“ Ishmael grumbled. „It´s obvious, so what are you stalling for?“

„Yeah, I see that you´re dawdling on this side, too. Come on, don´t you wanna show orange hair how it´s done?“

„I can´t believe I´m agreeing with you.“ Ishmael growled at him.

„Tough luck, even the that´s mutual.“

Well, at least they weren´t jumping at each other´s throats.

„Uhh… manager bud, maybe it´s time to call it quits?“ Gregor nudged Dante while Heathcliff and Ishmael were busy glaring at one another.

They nodded. „Yeah, right. We should probably… uhh… dinner! That´s right, good work today everyone!“

With a breath of fresh air and lots of mediocre crab meat distributed around the group, the two stormy clouds settled into less angry rain clouds. The crisis was averted and the next morning came eventually. We resumed the collection of the spare part and all was dandy… until Don Quixote came running with procured volleyball and incited the game which was halted the previous day due to timing.

Her enthusiasm was impossible to dismiss and even though they were still staring daggers at each other, Heathcliff and Ishmael did seem calm enough to not murder each other.

„‘Twould be no puffery to say that ‘tis true injustice to deny ourselves merriment when a ball, able bodies, and beach all await us!“

„Can we… really call this a beach, though?“ Sinclair looked around the mudflat with doubt, but his words were not taken into account at all. It was time to beach.

„I cannot say that I am particularly talented in games of the ball variety… but this appears to be as good a time as any to experience it for once.“ Yi Sang stepped forward, a little anxious, but determined nonetheless. „So let us partake in this game of volleyed balls.“

„Sheesh…“ Gregor facepalmed at the expression. I couldn´t hold a smile back myself – that was the exact type humor I was used to.

„We’re so not ready…“ Ishmael mumbled just slightly aside. Despite her calmer disposition, she did not let go of her worries at all. „This isn’t the time to play ball games… We've been slacking too much as of late… Yeah, we were too lucky last time.“

Ishmael was starting to practically ooze all over with an ominous aura. Great…. Just peachy.

„Let’s play beach volleyball.“ Dante commanded, trying to act a bit more manager-y. It almost worked.

„A wise decision! I shall retrieve el balón!“ Don said, scampering off to the side to look for the ball.

The game went about as well as it did in the story i remembered – a complete disaster. At the end of it remained a ball torn up by the plasma field, barely sane Ishmael out for Heathcliff´s blood and Heathcliff himself, practically foaming at his mouth.

„It’s all gone to hell… Why does this keep happening?“ Dante asked me, but I had no coherent answer for them.

„There´s two of them. Pick one to deal with, I´ll handle the other.“

„Okay… are you sure about this?“

„Their lives depend on both of us. They´ll think twice before getting physical…I think.“

Dante turned to the arguing Sinners. „Hmm… Ishmael´s the main problem right now. It´s her attitude that is actually driving Heathcliff´s rage… so I should probably deal with her. Can you-“

„Yes, I´ll be fine.“ I replied quickly. The last person I wanted to talk to at that moment was Ishmael, so I wasn´t going to give Dante time to second guess their decision.

„Heathcliff… a word, please?“ I tapped his shoulder. Although he wasn´t anywhere near happy, he was just calm enough to not start swinging at anything or anyone who wasn´t a crab. Fawkes appeared, too, trotting up to me with a very dirty tennis ball in mouth, which he dropped on the mudflat.

„Fawkes… not now. Sorry, I can´t play with you-“

In that moment, Heathcliff leaned down, carefully picking up the slobber-covered ball.

„Uhm… how do you…“

I watched Heathcliff with genuine surprise. Explaining fetch to a grown man was the last thing I would imagine to be doing, but there we were.

„You… you throw the ball. That´s it. Fawkes chases the ball down, then brings it back. Rinse and repeat until one of you gets bored of it… which is usually not Fawkes. He may look like a big scary hound, but at heart he´s still a puppy.“

I scratched behind his ears as he tapped on his front paws in excitement. „Just make sure to throw the ball away from the beach barrier…“

„...got it.“

Heathcliff threw the ball away, and Fawkes ran after it like rocket let loose.

„So… Ishmael…“ He began. Though his tone was bit aggressive, it wasn´t quite as hateful as I feared. „What´s her deal?“

„You know, I can´t really tell you and to be honest, I am way against sharing someone else´s stories. That being said, your issues are kind of similar…“ I replied, watching Fawkes run around like he was just a puppy. His age did not show at all. „Loads of bullshit and nasty people in her past… then again, that kind of goes for everyone on the bus. Sometimes I wonder if that was a requirement to join or something… Heathcliff?“

Heathcliff was staring at Ishmael who was very animatedly arguing with Dante… and Faust.

„Heathcliff, I´ve got a reaaaaaally important thing I need to tell you about. But you gotta listen.“

Fawkes nudged his leg after dropping the ball in front of him. „Oh...what? Right, I´m listening.“ He said, returning his attention to me after throwing the ball a second time. Luckily.

„So, I know there is someone you´ll be looking to impress… „bells and whistles“ kind of showstopping. What I need you to do is to not bother with any of that until we´re on the return trip from this whole thing. Can you manage? As in, no stealing of bits and bops in the meantime?“

„Stealing? Why would I steal...? Of course I can manage… say, does Ca-“

„Gah, what a mess. In that case, we should at least map a detailed sailing route and plan out a combat strategy…“ Ishmael listed out very loudly, practically oozing angry anxiety.

Heathcliff let out a long sigh. „Prattling on and on and on…“ Unfortunately, his commentary didn´t go unheard by Ishmael.

„What’s your problem?“

„Shut your gob. Think you’re the only one with baggage? Newsflash, you´re not special in that regard. So I’m telling you that it´s time to shove it! Things will work out like they always do.“

If it was any other Sinner, those words might´ve landed reasonably well, but Ishmael would not accept any sort of comfort words, let alone a super blunt Heathcliff-edition spiel – while being actively angry with him.

„And I’m telling you that the Great Lake is different. What if the manager drowns? What if Alighiero is kidnapped by pirates? What if that thing eats us and our bodies can't be recovered? Do you understand? This isn’t anything like we’ve been through so far! This could be the end of us!“ Ishmael growled. „Then I… won’t have the chance to kill that bastard…“

Heathcliff took a deep breath, probably in a feeble effort to calm himself down a bit. „…Okay. Let’s say that you're right. If we go now, we’re all going to bite it and I won't be able to get Cath-“ He stopped himself, just before speaking about Cathy.

„-I mean, get back up. So what’s wrong with faffin' about for a little while? What, are those whales working out or something? You’ve been mucking up the mood ever since we got here, so how about you use some bloody common sense to not bring everyone else down with you!“

„That’s rich coming from you, Heathcliff.“ Ishmael huffed. „What 'common sense' do you have of the Great Lake? Have you even seen a whale? Since when were you such a know-it-all?“ Not seeing even a glimmer of his rising annoyance, Ishmael continued in her tirade.

„What do you even know about a sailor’s life? Hah, how would you? All day you’re whining about your girlfriend or something, dozing off in the bus, or throwing a hissy fit once in a while!“

Coincidentally, I have not once heard a single word eluding to Cathy from Heathcliff prior to that day. Maybe he talked in his sleep about her? His room was kind of close to Ishmael´s.

„…Quit it.“ He warned her. It was very obvious that he was trying to calm down, but even he was just a person with finite patience that was running dangerously low.

„It’s kill or be killed, by everything from the depths of the waters to the heights of the skies crawling and falling onto the deck… Innumerable natural disasters like acid typhoons, tuna tsunamis, cerebra storms, and multitude of other terrors of the lake I can't even recall the names of! And from the storms, high-waves as tall as mountains! Following that, those fucking monsters that wash up on the deck! Look away for a moment and your mate, whom you've trusted with your life, is slain! Everyone and every goddamn thing goes mad and are transformed into something else entirely on that abominable lake!“

I could tell that she was going to inevitably say something hurtful and all that arguing was accomplishing exactly nothing at all… besides really tanking everyone´s mood, especially Yi Sang´s. Even Fawkes stood aside next to Dante.

„It’s something that a pathetic lovey-dovey...“

„Enough, Ishmael.“ I stated calmly, stepping between them before she could finish the sentence. Even I had just enough of her yapping and dramatizing every tiniest detail of the voyage that didn´t even begin.

„And you… oh, you…“ Ishmael snarled at me. „You don´t even carry all that knowledge you led us to think you have! You´re just a bumbling, tag-along baby...“

There wasn´t a single thought in my head when I swung my fist straight into Ishmael´s face. In fact, I barely noticed I was doing anything before I felt my knuckles striking her fleshy cheek. By that time, Ishmael recovered from the surprise attack and kicked my legs from under me.

However, a month of training with Outis has taught me enough to return the favor. Not just that, but to swiftly disarm Ishmael while she was on the ground, by using my weight to press on her hand until she let go of her mace. I swiftly took it and raised it above my head while still blinded by that snarling, snapping rage on the inside.

I hesitated.

By that point, seeing a shard of genuine fear behind Ishmael´s eyes, I realized exactly what I was doing. In the very same moment I recalled a similar incident from the past.

I wasn´t acting out of anger at Ishmael. It was that old stinging memory and repressed rage that had long slumbered until she woke it up with the precise set of circumstances that mirrored the past.

The memory of betrayal scraped at the back of my throat, drawing out burning tears that threatened to fall at any moment. I threw the mace aside and wordlessly left the group. Fawkes followed closely, snapping at everyone and anyone who tried to stand in my way.

I was leaning up against the wall outside of the boatworks, Fawkes diligently keeping the area clear of intruders… at least until Vergilius showed up.

„I´ve got to say, a physical altercation is not something I expected of you, Alighiero.“

I refused to even look at him let alone talk. Even though the phone was safely tucked in my pocket. To underline my lack of cooperation, Fawkes growled at him, putting his large, hairy body between us.

„Ahhh… not making this easy, are you?“ He sighed at Fawkes and reached into his pocket. From it, he pulled a nice, big, meaty bone. Fawkes did start to drool at the sight and undoubtedly the smell, but did not stop growling. Vergilius did attempt to further entice him by bringing the bone closer to his face – only to have to quickly draw his hand away and avoid a nasty bite.

„Hmmm… If you won´t speak then I suppose this will be a rather dull conversation. But it must be had.“ He sighed. „The Company knows nothing of your past. The Sinners and Dante know nothing of your past… besides what you´ve already shared, voluntarily or otherwise. It may be beneficial for all parties if you-“

I pulled out my phone halfway through his sentence. In a weird turn of events, I missed the convenient nature of the speech collar.

„Don´t you of all people go telling me about sharing my past – you didn´t share with them even a shred… well, except with Faust, but that was inevitable given the situation.“

„...so you do know what happened that day.“ Vergilius blinked at me with faintly redder eyes. „I´ve figured as much.“

„There is much more than just that… but as a friend of yours likes to say: this is this and that is that.“

He barked out half a laugh. „Hah… every time I think you´ve ran out of ways to surprise me, you come with something new.“

„It´s both a blessing and a curse.“ I shrugged. „I can´t take back anything I reveal. That has been the single unchangeable truth back home and here as well. I won´t let out more information than what you need to know.“

„Trust is a two-way road, though. Remember that.“ He finished before leaving, satisfied. He threw the meaty bone in front of Fawkes who looked at me with a pathetic sad little whine.

„Yes, you can have it, silly.“ I rolled my eyes at Fawkes proudly chomping at the bone.

„Alighiero I… you know I didn´t mean it like that, right?“

When I returned to the group to help out carting the scraps to the workshop, Ishmael was quick to approach me. She appeared to be a little beat up, but still anxious, if a bit more subdued about it.

I sighed deeply and audibly. „I didn´t hit you because you said something that wasn´t true, Ishmael. It was the breach of trust I thought was mutual. Anyway, is that barbecue I smell?“ I tried to quickly turn the topic away from the past. I definitely didn´t want to discuss my past and why I reacted the way I have.

I turned my attention to the fire in the distance. Don was holding a large crab leg and eating it like a slice of watermelon. Though I wasn´t really big into shellfish, I was curious what those overgrown crabs tasted like.

Ishmael pulled me back around to face her, however. „So… that´s it? You´re just going to act as if nothing happened!?“

„Pretty much.“ I replied calmly. „Look, I don´t half-ass grudges – if you want me to put my whole Alighierussy into hating you forever, you´ll need to do something way worse than this.“

„Alighierussy?“

I didn´t bother explaining myself.

„So, does that mean you two have made up?“ Dante asked.

I scratched at the back of my head. „I think so, yeah.“

„Yes…“ Ishmael said before walking away to presumably take care of the scraps lugging. Presumably to get as far from Heathcliff and me as possible.

„That´s good.“ I could practically see Dante´s relief letting the tension out of their frame. I grabbed a crab leg and bit into the flesh. It was seasoned and salted a bit sparingly, the texture was that of a wet towel and it tasted like how old socks smelled… but overall, as a meal, it wasn´t half bad. I´ve definitely recalled much less appetizing things happening at the school cafeteria.

„So… you weren´t completely honest about what you know…“ Outis began, to much displeasure of the people around.

As was practically customary when dealing with Outis´ suspicions, I rolled my eyes. „...Dante knew, if that helps ease your concerns.“

„I see... so it was Manager´s decision to keep it under wraps in order to not incite panic among the crew. Sound judgement as always.“ She nodded thoughtfully and I was putting all of my effort into not burst into laughing with a crab leg in my mouth.

„I see... that was the reason behind your independent initiatives… you´ve acted on details you have remembered and estimated based on timely observation.“ Faust butted in, calm and thoughtful. „Such is not dissimilar from the way Faust approaches problems.“ She mused, eating the crab piece by piece.

We spent the next few days collecting scraps. The days sure did drag on and on, but with a little bit of music to attract those beasts in larger numbers the daily quotas were reached so quickly that out work time amounted to barely half a day of work.

While others say around in boredom while we were waiting for my phone to recharge through the makeshift charging station Yi Sang and Faust put together, Outis seemed to be set firmly in her lane.

„You there! Connecting those parts will cause an issue with the intake fan!

„What do we do, then? That's like three separate wires.“ Mika complained.

„Amateurish. Allow me to demonstrate.“ Outis took up the wrench, working as if she was the one we were commissioning. „Hmph, this is nothing compared to what I had to do back in the day, when I worked with the engineering corps…“

Most other Sinners were busying themselves with hunting the crabs the usual way or finding out creative ways to make a lot of noise to attract them. Unsurprisingly, asking Don to list of the famous fixers of the City was the most successful among the alternative methods.

All the while that was going on, Ishmael kept splitting away from the group, preparing weapons, manuals and who knows what else. At least there wasn´t any more infighting. Even Heathcliff mellowed up a bit, with no need for Vergilius to intervene.

I considered that a very good sign.

Just as the Mephistopheles´ modifications were heading to the end, we were called in for a demonstration. Everyone gathered around, except for Ishmael who was sharpening harpoons outside.

With a push of a button, the bus transformed into a ship. Like magic.

„Ooh! Do I behold with mine eyes the transformed bus?“ don squealed at the sight of the Mephiboat.

„Would one call this a busboat, or a boatbus?“ Yi Sang wondered out loud.

„I think I’ll go with busboat?“

„Busboat does roll off the tongue more easily.“ I agreed with Dante.

„Where did the wheels go? We’ll need them again once we’re done with U Corp's District…“ Sinclair asked as if turning a boat into a bus was suddenly impossible.

„A needless concern.“ Outis crossed her arms. „Of course it has been modified to be amphibious, with both a boat form and a bus form.“

„What is this, some kind of magic bus?“

„The myriad of possibilities Mephistopheles holds means it has always been capable of various functions. Hasn’t Faust expounded upon this detail once?“ Faust answered Gregor´s question.

„Now now, that’s enough of that… Let’s start it up.“

As Mika fiddled with its controls, the magic busboat 2000 shuddered awake with a screeching noise that made Fawkes growl at it as he hid behind Meursault. Thankfully, this time he had not blindly run out of the building.

„Nhgh… I think we’re missing something. Maybe it’s the form transmogrifier that’s messing up.“

„Mika… I think it’s that one part we had to make do with what we had.“ Rain pointed out.

The revelation made Outis make a realy funny face, like something behind being deeply offended and impressed at the same time. „What was that? Did you just say "make do"?“

„W-we didn’t have a choice! There weren’t enough parts in stock… there’s this one thing that was supposed to be irreplaceable, but the problem is-“

As Mika explained in depth a loud noise sounded from the outside, followed by booming, squelching steps as huge claws dug into the mudflat.

„This wasn’t the sound of its engine, was it?“ Rain asked, growing paler in his face.

„King Crab is back.“ I told Dante as they turned to me.

„It’s the gigantic mutant we’ve encountered before. It’s headed this way.“ Faust confirmed, looking outside.

„It is likely drawn here by the same clamor as afore. Strange how the music didn´t seem to draw that one in, unlike the smaller crabs.“ Yi Sang commented.

„Hmm hmm, that’s good news.“ Olga eyed the crab through a portable looking glass. „That big boy has the exact part we’re missing on its back, don’t it?“

„I-it does, I guess…“ Mika nodded, although unsure of the endeavor.

„Big Sis, are you really?“

„I am, really. It’s that one expensive and tricky to manufacture part, isn’t it?“ She asked, already putting on her wetsuit gear.

„Don’t you remember the way it killed the employees of other boat workshops?“

„Well, that’s because it crashed into us, not because we were hunting the bastard for parts.“

After a while of mostly pointless arguments between the boatworks fixers, Heathcliff got real annoyed by the waiting.

„Anyway… all we need to do is catch and kill that prick, innit?“

„Right on.“ Olga nodded, one last time checking the sharpness of her harpoon.

„You heard ‘er, clockface.“ Heathcliff turned to Dante who was alredy busy slotting in identities into their controller. But of course that was when Ishmael appeared to stir the waters.

„Let’s not. Isn’t this better for us?“

„Ishmael?!“

Dante was surprised by her sudden reappearance.

„Gee, Ishy… Where have you been all this time?“

Ishmael turned to Rodion, not particularly annoyed, yet, but definitely somewhat perturbed.

„I was making preparations for our survival on the Great Lake, obviously. The least I can do is make an exhaustive guide on whales you can study up on, right?“

„You know I don’t read that kinda stuff…“ Rodion winced in disgust.

„Then I’ll keep reminding you until you have no choice but to read it.“ Ishmael snapped back at her before turning to Dante. „See, manager? We still need more time. There is so much more to prepare. That king trash crab can be repelled, can’t it? Then let’s do that and finish modifying the bus later. With more time in our hands.“

Dante didn´t look like they were particularly thrilled to be arguing with Ishmael.

„Ishmael… I’m not sure. My lack of memory doesn’t help, of course, but… as much as I want to respect your opinions and reflect them, I don’t think this is the best for all of us. So-“

„There is no „all of us“.“ Ishmael interjected. „Let’s be honest here. Is any one of us devoting themselves for the sake of this „all of us“? We all signed a contract with Limbus Company for our own goals. I did, Yi Sang did as we saw last time, and all the other Sinners did. Even Alighiero only joined out of necessity, not out of goodness of their heart.“

She threw her hands up in the air. „Aren’t we only in this together to achieve our personal aims?“

Though I really wanted to tell Ishmael that she was wrong… there was nothing to say. She was completely on the money with every word.

„And you, too…“ She turned to Dante. „You’re forcing yourself to look for those Golden Boughs, things you’ve probably never heard of once in your life, just so you can get your memories back. You have a more selfish motive than anyone else here, so why do you pretend like you’re doing anything for all of us?“

„Enough.“ Vergilius, who seemed to have been discreetly listening in, joined the conversation as though he's been a part of it from the start. „Ishmael. I believe I made myself clear during our meeting. The 'contract' comes first.“

„The contract, huh.“ She mellowed out significantly. „Sure, this is a company I’m working for. Of course it does.“

Ishmael glared at Dante with a face that really said „I quit and there is nothing you can do about it“. Well, with the difference that she wasn´t actually quitting.

„Fine, I’ll abide by the oh-so honorable contract. Manager. Give me your orders, and I’ll follow them. So, if there’s anything you want from me from now on, state it. Clearly.“ She leaned against a wall like a moody teenager… or like me, not that long ago, actually. I was almost offended by it. „I won’t get out of line by providing unsolicited help or explanations any longer.“

„What are we waiting for? Weren’t you going to order us to go kill that giant crustacean? I’ll gladly obey as it is stipulated in the contract, Manager Dante.“

„Let’s go.“

The Sinners left the workshop, weapons in hands as I stood by, next to Vergilius. Watching them defeat the giant crab was kind of entertaining, but I was rudely interrupted by Fawkes tugging on my pants.

„Fawkes! Stop it, you´ll tear my weekly pair of pants.“

As if on cue, he led me to the back of the shop where Mephistopheles the busboat stood. That was when I noticed a small gap in the seam. The unsuccessful starting up seemed to have knocked a few things loose and created a pretty obvious hole. There was an odd sort of smell emanating from the gap, which I figured was precisely what Fawkes picked up on.

„Good dog.“ I patted his big head.

„Is something the issue?“

Mika appeared, carrying a stack of blueprints. When she saw that I was there she sighed. „Oh, it´s you. Guess I´ll never know what you wanted…“

I rolled my eyes and tugged her to the busted seam, showing it off and pointing to my nose.

Mika leaned closer, taking a small with and recoiling immediately. „Goddamit! The start up must´ve jostled some stuff and punctured the engine coolant, tank. And there´s a gap in the hull, too…“ After she calmed down a bit, she continued. „Thanks for finding that. It´s not particularly difficult to fix, but… if it wasn´t fixed it would make the boat sink for sure.“

When the gang pulled in the King Crab parts, there was a considerable uproar of victory cheers… except from Ishmael, which was just about what we could´ve expected. Few hours later, just as the tide was coming in, the busboat´s engine roared awake, thankfully, without any shrieking alarms.

Mika turned to boat back into the bus after that. Hopping off, she said: „Alright, now… Get in your vehicle. You can switch the mode again once you’re in the water.“

With that sorted out, we waved at the Molar Boatworks crew as we set off onto the waters of the Great Lake.

Despite all the things going on, however, I had Fawkes and the world was that much less terrifying.

Chapter Text

The next day and the day after that were mostly spend just floating about along the shore. The waiting was pretty annoying, so Outis decided it was the prime time to up the number of hours spent on training. Although, under her supervision I was getting more confident in the strikes, which landed more often than not, having a peanut gallery at all times was getting a bit bothersome.

„Good, you´re finally leaving some bruising.“ She said, proudly showing of the darkening splotches on her arms.

„Strikes could use more force.“ Ryoshu commented, leaning against the railing of the deck.

„I concur.“ Meursault nodded, standing close by. „But their defense is adequate, which is much more important.“ He added.

„It would be greatly appreciated if you saved your comments for the periods after the training.“

„Outis, it´s alright.“ I said for maybe fifth time in the past twenty minutes. „I´m used to having an audience that scrutinizes my every move. I´ve already said so a few times.“

„And we still don´t know what that really means.“ Rodion rolled her eyes. „Loosen up - you know we don´t bite.“

„It´s not that deep, Rodion.“ I stretched a bit. „Back home it´s just something you don´t speak about openly because a lot of people think it´s offensive.“

„Well, now I´m double interested.“

Luckily, a blaring noise of a siren from the control bridge of the busboat accompanied by telltale green lights came to my rescue.

„GAH! Holy CRAP!“ I heard Gregor´s yell carried outside. I couldn´t see Fawkes, so the most probable explanation was that Gregor was trying to make something to eat for him when the alarm turned on.

„Huhh...? We've never had flashing lights like this before, right?“ Rodion wondered out loud as we hurried inside.

„What is it this time?“ Heathcliff grumbled. It looked like he had just been woken up from his nap with hair sticking out everywhere.

„Ooo!! This must be a signal that the long-awaited adventure is finally nigh!!!“

„I-is this... what we've been waiting for this whole time?“ Sinclair asked, covering his ears slightly to shut off the worst of the noise.

„...No.“

Seeing Vergilius even a bit clueless for once kind of delighted me. He turned to Faust with a frown.

„Weewoo. Weewoo. Mephi's blaring and crying. Mephi sick?“ Charon tugged at my sleeve.

I shook my head. Faust already was already preparing a more detailed explanation anyway.

„What is it, Ms. Faust? I wasn't informed about a siren like this before.“ Vergilius asked.

„Yeah, it's a bit different from the usual alarms... Don't think this one's for a new door.“ Dante chimed in.

„It is quite simple. The Night is here.“ Faust replied with confidence, totally disregarding the lack of any actual information in that statement. I could see that Ryoshu was particularly ticked off by that.

I sighed. „Walpurgisnacht, or Walpurgis night, is an occasional event that serves as a window to the history of your world, namely that of Lobotomy Corp. and the Library.“

„Precisely. Additionally, it temporarily expands the pool of possibilities from which Mephistopheles´ engine pulls the identities that Dante can use in combat. Alighiero, you certainly know of Walpugisnacht slightly more. Can we expect other events to occur in combination with the pull range expansion?“

„Yeah… the Ordeals and assorted combat stages. But those come in the later ones, I think.“

Faust nodded in place of reply. The sirens thankfully stopped, but not the blinking green lights.

„So... how do we stop that green light from flashing?“ Gregor asked, wiping ground meat from his shirt.

„It will turn itself off when Dante extracts something from the engine. Do not worry.“ Faust waved him off.

„Right, back to business, all. Dante, extract something and turn that alarm off.“

And so it went. Day after day, waiting for the signal to move further into the Lake. It was maybe three or four days since Walpurgis when the signal we´ve been awaiting finally arrived. After gazing out the window for a while, Faust stood up to her feet and approached the helm (formerly known as the wheel).

„Ms. Faust.“ Vergilius lifted his head, picking up on the minuscule changes in her expression… or something. I could never be sure.

„Yes. We have received a signal.“ She confirmed.

„Hurk… Haah… The long-awaited signal has arrived, then…? Yi Sang asked inbetween hurling out the contents of his stomach into a bucket formerly designated to bucket out water out of the busboat if need be.

„Oooh! Then shall our adventure in the Great Lake finally commence?!“

Sinclair looked around in confusion while Don bounced around, quickly joined by barking Fawkes. „What signal? I don't hear or see anything… Not even an alarm.“

„A smoke signal outside our visual range has been picked up by Mephistopheles.“ Faust said, walking up to Fawkes. Like a charm, Fawkes sat down, quiet. I figured that Faust has been training him when I wasn´t looking. That, or Gesselschaft´s knowledge stretched further than even I could imagine.

„A smoke signal… the beacons are lit-“

„-And Rohan will answer.“ I said without a second thought.

„Sailing is a go. Splish splash.“ Charon said, happily returning to the helm.

„What´s Rohan?“ Dante asked. „Is that some kind of a reference.“

I could practically feel my ears turn red as the realization took over. „...yeah. It´s famous movie quotes like that, that just stick around. I guess there´s an idea for the next movie night.“ I shrugged.

„Soon… we will be moving away from the coastal area and draw closer to what one could call the Great Lake approach.“ Faust took over, drawing the attention back to herself. „Activating automatic navigation system now.“

„How, how! Thou meanest to say that what we have experienced so far… was not the Great Lake?“ Don asked her, momentarily distracted from the anticipation of the next movie night.

„By strict definition… Yes, it was. We have been inside the Great Lake's borders for a while. Yet I make the distinction based on the information available to you, as our path has so far lacked any real threats.“

Real threats… well, I supposed that the crabs weren´t particularly tough enemies… aside from the King Crab. But even that one paled in comparison to things we would see on the journeys ahead, both on the Lake and back on land.

„… I shall henceforth continue to slumber, then-“ Don Quixote yawned, only to have the back of her head smacked by Outis.

„NO! We have just entered a hostile environment. We must rouse ourselves from sleep and ready ourselves for what dangers there may be.“

„Outis?“ Dante tried their best to stop her, but Outis was not listening.

„All hands, to defensive stations!“ She suddenly leaped to her feet and began barking orders at the Sinners.

„Outis, this is unnecessary.“ I walked to her. She did shut up, if for a brief moment, which Faust promptly proceeded to make use of.

„Outis, this ship is currently steered by an automated navigation system. As its name suggests, it will automatically avoid any threats the Great Lake may pose. Should a threat prove to be unavoidable, it will sound an alarm.“

„Bah… Do you really expect me to trust that incomprehensible contraption?“

„Outis, if you don´t trust the tech, that´s alright, but I can tell you that on this particular journey, your attempts at commandeering Mephistopheles were pretty bad...“ Before Outis could ask what exactly happened, I recalled all the bikes that served as a backup movement method for Mephistopheles. „...as in, at least on one occasion you managed to throw off the main engine.“

„That would be rather unfavorable. We must exit this area within the next 2 hours and although Mephistopheles could reboot, such an action would take 5 hours at least. Considering the fact that we are already falling somewhat behind the schedule, this would be very detrimental to our journey.“

„Okay… that was ominous. Why precisely two hours?“ Gregor raised an eyebrow at Faust. Though Outis wasn´t happy about her lack of promotion to the rank of the busboat´s Captain, she didn´t argue and returned to her seat with only a slight frown.

I could only imagine that she was trying to think of a way to make the next training that much more exhausting, just as a little payback.

„The 'laws of the Great Lake'.“

„Ohh… I knew it! It's that darn law of the Great Lake again, huh?!“ Rodion called out, fully sarcastic about it… unfortunately, Faust wasn´t big on understanding sarcasm.

„Your foreknowledge of the laws of the Great Lake is an unexpected development, Rodion. Quite difficult to believe that, even with the consolidated experience, your intuition would-“

„Sorry, sorry… I just wanted to look like I was in on it for once. Girl gets tired of asking every time, ya know?“

„The Great Lake of U Corp. has laws that… must never be broken.“ Faust continued after she sufficiently rolled her eyes at Rodion´s shenanigans. „And yes. The port can and will sail away, Gregor.“

„It's a bloody lake… What laws could it possibly have?“

„Heathcliff, need I remind you that the City has rules so specific that I would not bat an eye if you told me there´s a District that put tax on moving your body because the Wing there has monopoly on the District´s air or something.“ I turned to him. „You break the rules, you get punished by the Waves… which you would know if you bothered to at least skim Ishmael´s Guidebook.“

„You actually read that thing?“ Rodion asked with apprehension that could rival typical student´s reaction to being told that there is mandatory reading list.

„I have and I found it very informative.“

I heard someone in the corridor open a door with much force.

„What´s all this ruckus? Did the Waves finally hit?“

Looking out of the window I could see the lake behind us, crawling with tentacles in boiling red liquid that resembled blood.

„We got out of range of one of them.“ I replied. Few of the Sinners who also followed my gaze looked at the sight in horror. Except for Ryoshu, who found it amusing. As expected.

„Ish… mael?“ Dante asked very carefully. „What have you been doing all this time?“

„Whetting my harpoon.“ She showed them her very, very sharp, barbed harpoon.

„Your harpoon? Why?“

„Because I need it to be sharper.“ Ishmael´s eye twitched as she looked at the sharpened edges „Because I'll give her the kind of pain that makes her wish she was dead. She'll feel it, even from the smallest cuts.“

„… Then why don't you spare us from your misery and crawl back into your hole…“ Heathcliff has once again butted in at one of the worse moments to do so.

„I'm afraid that if I did, I'd later emerge to a deck littered with your melted, unrecognizable flesh. And I'm not rearing to see a sight like that again.“

I recalled the nightmare once again. Th smell of blood came to me immediately, as if I was really smelling it. So did faces with blank expressions and glazed-over eyes.

A wet nose nudging gently against my hand brought me back to the reality. I scratched Fawkes behind his ears as Ishmael gestured with her harpoon to me. „At least Alighiero has half a brain to not let you waste time tinkering with the ship you don´t understand.“

Suddenly, Fawkes left my side, pacing about the space, growling and barking at something, but there was nothing visible… except for relatively thick cloud of fog in the distance.

„Something´s up.“ I said. „I am not sure what Fawkes is picking up on, but it for sure isn´t nothing.“

Ishmael walked up to the helm. „Hm. I had a feeling this would happen.“

„What are you doing? We are smooth sailing at the moment. A northbound breeze is pushing us along.“

„Mephistopheles isn´t powered by wind in the sails, Outis. Simple breeze can´t significantly alter our course.“ I gritted my teeth. „Guh… I don´t remember this particular part… but you seem to be familiar with this situation.“

I joined Ishmael at the helm, mostly to grab hold of Fawkes´ so he wouldn´t just pace about.

„We're getting dragged.“ She said. „By those ships.“ Ishmael pointed at the cloud of fog that has slightly got out of the way.

Dante scratched their head. „We're not exactly on a collision course with them, though?“

An epiphany hit me. „Just like the tractor beam of the Death star...“

Ishmael took the helm and threw it wildly in one direction, causing me to slide along the floor until I grabbed hold of a vertical steel beam.

„This skill… Splashy drift?“ Charon´s eyes shined with excitement. „Charon, impressed. Redhead… not bad.“

„You have competition, Charon.“ Vergilius smiled.

„This is weird. She turned the helm all the way… and we are still headed between those two ships!“ Gregor called out.

„I-it's like we're stuck on rails…“ Sinclair peeped anxiously.

„Ishy?! Don't tell me you hit the reverse gear?!“ Rodion worriedly said. We were getting dragged even faster.

„I turned the engine off.“

„...OH.“ The reason behind it hit me. „Oh, that´s one hell of a Applied Physics move. Nice“

„What…“ Rodion looked at me like I was crazy. Which wasn´t entirely wrong I suppose.

„Woah… are those ships melding into one another?“ Hong Lu pointed out, launching Heathcliff and Outis into a shouting match with Ishmael. I, of course, had a general idea that things would turn out fine. Ishmael behind the helm was a favorable circumstance.

„Shut up, both of you. I'm going to use the momentum of the pull when it's the strongest to get us out of here.“

Immediately before the crash, Ishmael revved the engine and adjusted several levers in a series of decisive motions before speeding us between the two vessels and past them. The two ships slammed into one another with metal screeches that shook Mephistopheles.

„The back of our ship…“ The ship's stern was crushed… but it was better than getting completely sandwiched between those two ships.

„Relax… we´re still sailing half a ship.“ Ishmael rolled her eyes with such annoyance that the reference almost flew over my head.

„Mephistopheles' engine can reconstruct damage of this severity within the next few days.“ Faust reassured everyone. Well, tried to, anyway.

„Wait, this is more than just some damage… It's like they deleted a part of our ship.“ Gregor pointed to the cutoff edge.

Yi Sang nodded solemnly. „Gone, as though it had never even been a part of the ship's blueprint.“

„It's U Corp.'s Singularity, the resonance tuning fork.“ Ishmael sighed deeply, not even bothering to remind everyone that, yet again, pamphlets and guidebooks existed. „Ships operating in the Great Lake can merge and separate when needed. As though they’ve always been a single vessel or as though they’ve never been parts of the same ship.“

„Resonance tuning forks used by vessels of that size are strong enough to pull in smaller boats without tuning forks like ours, or even ones with tuning forks with mismatching wavelengths.“ She continued, until she caught herself.

„…Oh, right. Apologies for taking the helm without your orders, Manager.“

„No, don't. You just saved all of our lives…“ Dante pointed out.

„I wasn't trying to. But thank you for understanding anyway.“

Faust cleared her throat as if to break through the rising tension. „Our destination is near. Welcome to one of the Five Great Ports of U Corp., the Marlin Port.“ However, her voice was dry and emotionless, as though what had just happened didn't affect her one bit.“

„Wow… That's so big.“ Hong Lu looked over at the huge ship-port before us. It was built of shipping containers seemingly haphazardly stacked on top of each other. „That has to be one of the biggest ships I'd ever seen.“

„Mist fades, and what was unseen before unveils itself. I scarcely did expect the pall to shroud a structure such as this.“

As we were taken by the scenery, I didn´t notice Vergilius standing up until he spoke.

„Well, then. This is where we will go our separate ways… for a short while. Charon and I have business to attend to here. Likewise you, Alighiero.“

„Wait, what?“ I whipped my head around.

„Although your training is steadily progressing, you lack a proper weapon. Even though it is unlikely you´ll need to go on the offensive, having a weapon to block attacks just in case is best practice for someone in your position.“

I nodded. „Alright. Can I take Fawkes, too? He could use the exercise.“

„They are asking whether they may take the dog with them.“ Faust translated when Vergilius blinked at me with maroon eyes.

„Alright. But do keep it on the leash.“ He waved his hand over the matter. Before I stepped off the busboat, Faust tapped my shoulder. In her hand was the lovingly dubbed „speech collar“.

„You may put this to use once more. Faust has found nothing wrong with it. The erased inscription is still a mystery, but that´s about it.“

„Thank you, Faust. Though I do find it highly uncomfortable, the convenience can hardly be overstated.“ I clicked the metal around my neck and secured it in place. There wasn´t any pinching of skin, however, which pleased me.

As everyone exited the bus, Don was, as always, quick to grow excited. „Ooo! Lo! I spy a purveyor of iced creams over yonder!“

„A significant source of income for the people of U Corp. comes from selling Whale and Mermaid products. Whale oil, Mermaid tears, Mermaid perfumes, Whale cuisine, and more, to list a few examples.“ Faust supplied the information, gladly being the sole informant.

„Sardine Whale flavored ice cream? How is that appetizing to you?“ Gregor winced after reading the daily offer section on the menu.

„Sardines are quite the savory nosh, even if they do have a funny look to them.“ Heathcliff shook his head. However, even he didn´t seem too keen on the idea of sardine-flavored ice cream.

„Alas, I am more keen to learn the flavors of the Marlin Whale ice cream.“ Don´s eyes shined with desire as she spied a small child with a triple-scoop ice cream off in the distance.

„Will you not accompany us to our destination, dear guide?“ Yi Sang posed an innocent question.

„I've done my job as your guide.“ He replied coldly. „I point you in the right direction, and that's where my responsibilities end. It's not my job to accompany you all the way there.“

„While you may be correct… your words also come across as rather impersonal.“

„Then you heard me right, Yi Sang. I don't intend to make friends with any of you. Nor do I want to. Hah. Don't let these small talks give you the wrong impression.“

He turned away from Yi Sang quite abruptly. Too abruptly. Of course, I knew what would take place in the near future and what happened in the past, but even if I didn´t I´ve had enough experience to know when personal bonds were liable to deepen… whether the person wanted them to, or not.

„Now, Ms. Faust…“ He turned to Faust briefly. They exchanged only a single look before she nodded and turned to the Sinners. That was when I remembered couple things to help them out while I was out and about with Vergilius and Charon.

„Faust, one moment.“

She paused as I leaned in. „The Before Team won´t be at the designated spot. I can´t exactly remember what the reason is, but you will need to go to the local club, which is under control of a Syndicate. Word of advice, try to not make them too mad – they are backed by one of the Fingers.“ I saw Heathcliff in the back, who was picking his nose, not listening to the single word I said to Faust.

„Oh, that reminds me… Heathcliff, you do remember what I told you back on the shore?“ His head snapped to me in an instant.

„´Course I do… I´m not some daft fool.“

„Alrighty, then. See you later.“ I bid the Sinners farewell and returned to Vergilius, Fawkes standing next to my heel.

We walked for only a little while before the three of us stopped at the ice cream kiosk that Don was eyeing earlier. Vergilius let her get a full view of the marine-smelling ice cream as she picked flavors of her treat. Then he turned to me, seemingly asking if I wanted any.

„No thanks.“ I declined, fully knowing that Fawkes would do everything in his power to make me drop the funky smelling icy delight. He was already salivating at the sight of Charon´s scoops and I hav quite enough work keeping him from pilfering that.

„By the way…“ I said after we left the kiosk behind. „...what you said earlier about not intending or wanting to be friendly towards the Sinners… you may try, but you will most likely fail to keep a distance.“

„Whatever do you mean?“

„You aren´t some heartless monster, Vergilius. Pretty much everyone knows that.“ I smiled. „It´s kind of inevitable to develop a sense of belonging when you share space with other people for a prolonged time.“

He shot me quite a grumpy look. „Then I´ll have to remind them that I am not their friend until they understand.“

„That´s the thing though… the more effort you have to put into „not being their friend“, the more obvious it becomes that you do care about them.“ I looked over the various shops around. I spotted a candy shop ahead and about a second later, Charon was holding Vergilius´ arm and pointing to it.

„And the thing is, as long as you keep even a single other person in your heart, you won´t be able to tear it out of your chest yourself. Believe me, I´ve tried.“

We´ve stopped at the candy shop and Charon excitedly picked out a bag of salted caramel candies and extra sour gummies shaped like… well, I would call them jellyfish, but they were probably some kind of Whale or Mermaid shape.

„Why would you want to be heartless?“ Vergilius asked while Charon unwrapped a hard candy and shoved it in her mouth.

„I don´t want to be heartless, but what choice do I have? There is no place for people with a heart in this City. That´s why I use a name that´s not my own.“

„Like a mask…“

„Like a mask.“

We walked in silence after that, up until we came across kind of a large building. It kind of looked like a post office, if said post office required over a dozen armed soldiers to protect access to the terminal window.

„Here is where I must go. Stay here, I will not be long.“

The men parted before Vergilius easily, however. He spoke to the person through the terminal. I couldn´t hear what he said or what the other person said, but I figured that it was best to not question it.

Fawkes seemed perplexed by it, too, as he cocked his head from side to side, as if trying to understand why Vergilius was moving his mouth without a single sound. As promised, he was done rather quickly.

„Hmm… next on the shopping list would be... the Mermaid perfume.“

I decided that I wouldn´t ask why he needed it. In all likelihood, it was Charon who asked for it. Or maybe Vergilius was more vain than I thought. Either way it made no difference. We were getting the perfume.

To my surprise, the shop smelled nothing like dead fish. It was a pleasant, warm and slightly sweet kind of scent, not overpowering in any way, but otherwise really difficult to pinpoint. While Vergilius handled the shopping, Fawkes circled around me excitedly. The scent was definitely something his nose enjoyed very much.

As I waited for Vergilius to finish his business in the shop, a particular perfume bottle caught my eye. It wasn´t because it was bulbous or had the top decorated with branching filigree made of gold, nor its mustard yellow, shimmering contents. There was a black, tentacly thing that pulsed inside the bottle, a swirling, weird shape twisting and warping like an amoeba.

But when I looked away for only a moment to tug Fawkes away from the display, the dark thing in the bottle disappeared.

Vergilius must´ve noticed my unease because he immediately dragged me out of the shop and back into the street – if one could call the passage that.

In truth, I had not a slightest idea of what I saw, only that some part of my mind did, and that very part knew that the more people have known of its existence, the more would its power grow.

„Well then… only one thing remains.“ Vergilius said, stepping towards a much less welcoming path. Charon walked by his side without a spec of fear, however, so I assumed that I could easily do the same. I tugged Fawkes along, even as he seemed quite unsettled in the dark place. I saw only a shadow of a hand reaching towards Charon´s pocket where she put her sweets. Fawkes must´ve seen it coming earlier, because he snapped at its owner, growling.

„It would be good for you to not trouble the dog or its companions if you value your fingers, young lady.“ Vergilius said without even turning around. The child froze

The girl was wearing a torn brown leather jacket and even more torn, dirty shirt under it. She stuck out her tongue at us and ran away.

„Do you pity the child?“ Vergilius asked me.

„Of course I-.“

„She would have pulled out the knife she held concealed in the sleeve of her jacket. Slit your throat, robbed you and left you to slowly bleed out the ground.“ He replied before I was even halfway through my sentence. „You mustn´t let your guard down, not even for a moment if you wish to survive.“

„...right.“

I wasn´t sure what he was trying to do except for trying to teach me some form of Fixer Soft Skills 101. Either way, it paid to listen to him. I inched closer behind him from that point onward, as did Charon. Fawkes next to me seemed to have understood perfectly what Vergilius said. His tail was no longer wagging from side to side, and his ears perked up at the slightest odd sound.

The path was filled with many shops either side, with owners only getting more rugged and shifty-eyed as we went along. „Do my eyes deceive me? That is you, isn´t it, Vi? In all your red-eyed glory.“ A burly woman wiped soot off her hands as she turned around from the flames of her forge. The chipper attitude didn´t fit within the space much, but at least the surprise was pleasant for a change.

Vergilius hummed disapprovingly. „I told you many times before… that is not my name.“

„And I told you as many times, that it´s what I´ll call you anyway.“ The woman laughed. „Care to introduce your entourage?“

„Charon and Alighiero… we came here on business. Specifically, to find a suitable weapon for the latter.“

„Of course… it´s always been work, work, work and even more work with you… never spare time for old friends.“ The woman said bitterly. „I am Horatio, pleasure to meet you.“

„Likewise.“ I smiled. Going unacknowledged, Fawkes decided it was the prime time to sit down and bark exactly once.

„Oh… a little furball… that´s definitely not something you see a lot these days… well, maybe except in private collections of Wing CEOs and the similarly wealthy.“ She fearlessly put her hand under his chin to give him a scratch. Her hand nearly met his teeth as he snapped.

„Vicious little thing…“ She laughed as she pulled her hand back just in the nick of time and moved her gaze over my body, top to bottom and back. „Hmm, I see. Slender body, not whole lot of muscle on you. Something lightweight with a long reach will work best. Close quarters seem to be covered fairly well by your dog if need be.“

When Horatio turned around I silently raised an eyebrow at Vergilius who was leaning against the wall with a sly smile. That worried me, if only just a little. Especially, when he whispered something to Charon and she tugged the leash from my hand and led Fawkes aside.

No anime betrayal could ever compare.

„This seems like a good pick. Try it.“ Horatio essentially threw a polearm at me, which I only barely managed to not drop on the floor or my feet.

„Try it?“

„Of course… Vi, what is this, a novice?“

„...I thought it obvious.“ Vergilius laughed quietly.

„Ugh, should´ve said that right upfront.“ Horatio rolled her eyes at him. „This won´t do, you´d tear your arms clean off with it.“

The polearm was promptly confiscated from my grasp and replaced with a slightly lighter, yet somehow longer polearm with barbed tip.

„Swing it around or something. Feel the weight of the tip and let it guide the swing. If you can maneuver with the weapon through the air, you can fight with it effectively.“

I did as Horatio said, but found it difficult. The tip was little too light. Another and another, various long-shafted weapons went through my hands and Horatio wasn´t satisfied with any of them.

„Maybe this one will do. A whaling ship apparently found this spear inside of a dead mermaid that the Waves threw up on their ship.“ She brought out a rather heavy looking thing with a large laurel-shaped blade on the end of the handle, flanked by what reminded me of the spurs on Faust´s Zweihander. Despite its intimidating looks, when I took it in my hands it was not nearly as difficult to move around.

The feeling was almost indescribable, as if the blade half-guided my moves as I swung it around… at least until I got it wedged in the container wall. To my surprise, Horatio wasn´t phased by it in the slightest. She was laughing gregariously.

„Now that´s more like it! You´ve gotta learn how to handle the length of it, but it´s the perfect weight, which matters more. What do you think, Vi?“

„It will suffice.“ Vergilius nodded.

I couldn´t be more glad the hunt for a weapon was over when I sank onto the bench as we waited for Dante and the Sinners. I almost forgot what they were up to. Charon poked at me all out of sudden.

„Dog person… Charon´s bored.“

„So am I, actually.“ I breathed out, leaning back and looking up into the sky where white fluffy clouds flew high above. A black, shadow-like smudge passed trough one of them, almost humanoid in shape, but not quite.

„Tik-tok is back with others.“ Charon suddenly perked up as the group neared us. „Charon ate ice cream. It was cold but disappeared fast.“

„D-did it not have the putrid scent of the sea?“ Don shuddered.

„Putrid? Charon doesn't know what that means.“

„'Tis… a flavor not unlike licking a fish…“

„Blonde girl licks fish?“ Charon cocked her hear to a side. „Funny tastes. Charon, shudder shudder.“

„Something's happened, by the looks on your faces. Explain.“ Vergilius said, only for Don to step forth and clear her throat.

„Allow me to explain…! Upon our arrival at the promised location-“

„...And make it short.“ Vergilius quickly added.

„We obtained its variable coordinates of Lobotomy Corp. Branch. As per Alighiero´s earlier intel, that is where we need to go to gather an irreplaceable ally, even though the Golden Bough won´t be there when we reach it.“ Faust explained.

„I know what you're about to say… "That's it? That's all you got?" or something… But just listen to the trouble we went through to.“

Vergilius waved Rodion off. „No, that's good enough. Almost makes me want to applaud you all.“

„Vergilius, there was…“ Outis started, her eyes boring into me and my newly-acquired spear.

„Ah, I know exactly what you're about to tell me.“ He replied cryptically. „I will deal with it. Stay out of this.“

I stood up, stretching out my legs. Funnily enough, Fawkes followed suit, yawning and shaking his head briefly. The spear was a little awkward to carry, but I figured that it would take a while to get used to it.

„So, you´ve got a bear spear?“ Sinclair joined my side. „You know, if you need a bit of advice on how handle something this long, you could ask me or Hong Lu.“

„Doubting my experience, rookie?“ Outis loomed over Sinclair until he left my side.

Hong Lu, having heard his name mentioned has slid between us. „But Outis, Sinclair isn´t wrong at all. I´ve been training with guandao since I was a child. I may not have experience with teaching others as you do, but I can definitely offer useful advice.“ He smiled.

Outis grumbled something under her breath. I couldn´t piece out what she said, but from the context clues, there were likely some swears included in what she said.

„I appreciate all the help I can get.“ I smiled back at Hong Lu.

„Try holding it a bit further from the metal tip… like this, at an angle. It´s easier to balance it then.“ He helped me adjust my grip, which made it much less awkward as we boarded the busboat once again. Fawkes for once didn´t protest the return aboard a limited space, happily lying own under my seat.

I walked up to Dante with questions to ask. „I´ve got questions, Dante.“

„I thought you might have. Listen, I really tried to get Ishmael to not kill that Smee woman, but…“

„Oh.“ I scratched the back of my head. „That´s okay… I think. I meant about… Saude and Effie.“ I pushed the question that´s been eating at my heart since the day we left Calw behind.

„They are alright. Both of them are Captains in their own right by now, though still in recovery.“

„Effie´s alive?“ I almost couldn´t hear my own words, that´s how quietly I asked. When Dante nodded, I was practically jumping around.

„That´s amazing news!“ I exclaimed excitedly to distaste of multiple passengers, but I coudn´t give a flying fuck. A solid confirmation that my impact on their lives did matter.

A solid confirmation that Queequeg´s life was not lost just yet.

Chapter Text

On the busboat, Faust has entered the variable coordinates into the navigation. We sailed onwards on calm water, but Ishmael has not stepped from the deck ever since, nervously checking around the misty horizon of a pinkish-purple part of the Lake with a telescope. Ever since we left the Marlin port, she had not taken a break. It was getting dark, too, which made me worry about her continued stay outside, experience with sailing be damned.

Especially after seeing the shadow follow me around the Marlin port.

Gregor, Outis and Dante followed Ishmael outside, supposedly to try and talk a bit of sense into her. At least that was my hope, but it was crushed when I noticed a suspiciously large cloud of mist ahead of us. Its shape seemed little too perfect to be natural.

The answer of its true nature came a moment later, courtesy of a bellowing ship horn and… a trumpet?

„There, ahead!“ Ishmael ran into the busboat, behind the helm.

„Time to drift again, redhead?“ Charon asked, eager to repeat the same trick if need be.

Ishmael briefly looked at me, but noting my lack of response she just shook her head. „It's too late to change course. That trick won't help us here.“

„They went through the trouble of hiding themselves in an artificial fog of war… We're obviously their target.“ She added.

„It's a matter of time before they catch up with this ship, now that they know our location.“ Vergilius commented, looking at what I realized was a pirate vessel. „Deal with them as you will.“

„Manager, permit us to board their ship.“ Ishmael turned to Dante without further questions towards me, verbal or otherwise.

„Are you sure that boarding their ship is the best course of action if we want to save our ship?“ This time, not even Dante bothered to ask me. I saw that as a good thing. If they depended on my aid with every little thing and obstacle, they wouldn´t become the Manager they were supposed to be.

„According to my experience, yes.“

„Okay. I'll leave it to you, then.“ Dante nodded.

Ishmael replied in much the same fashion before turning around. „I hope you'll continue to make wise choices like that.“ She said as she left the main quarters.

Though my assistance was hardly necessary, I peeked out of the door just to see the commotion for myself.

„We'll hook their ship with harpoons, force them into a melee range! Somebody grab the helm and turn it on my signal!“

The Sinners milled about like cogs of a well-oiled machine. So much so, that I felt out of place, like a stray rock kicked into the contraption. To be fair, that was precisely what I was – just another obstacle on their long road to, presumably, paradise.

„Hm. Then someone should be on standby, ready to shut the engine off at the right moment. Hey, you! Bring some extra rope. You! Wait for her signal inside the wheelhouse!“

For just a moment I thought that Outis might´ve been talking to me, but Sinclair making towards the helm made me reconsider.

Ishmael's explanations were rapid and confident. Outis nodded along affirmatively. The other Sinners were quick to follow their instructions, naturally.

I sank back into my seat, which Fawkes momentarily claimed. Once seated, he decided that my lap was a much more comfortable place to be.

I tried my best to ignore all the yelling and the sounds of bloodshed and clashing. Surely enough, injuries were sustained and subsequent bouts of pain found me. I still flinched when Dante went to rewind the Sinners, but I was no longer doubling over dramatically holding my chest or sinking to the ground. I considered that a useful progress.

The pirate ship was left littered with corpses of our would-be invaders, her desk smeared with fresh blood. Its sails fluttered in the wind calmly… until a gust of strong wind blew through the sails, followed by a sizeable black smudge.

However, as quickly as he appeared he disappeared, leaving me to stare at a vacant spot.

„All good, swabbie?“ Outis pulled me out of my ruminations.

I shook my head. „I think I´m due for a nap. Wouldn´t have guessed that something as simple as a shopping trip would exhaust me this much, but here we are.“

„Inadequate rest could potentially affect your ability to provide helpful advice.“ Meursault chimed in. „I can recommend a few relaxation techniques to help, but short nap will suffice for now.“

„Thanks, Meursault.“ I smiled shortly.

Once I sank into my seat and the ship resumed its course, I shut my eyes. The Sinners kept their chatter much quieter, which was a nice change of pace. I definitely didn´t expect them to be so considerate of someone who was very much still a deadweight, but I decided to leave it be.

Soon enough, my mind was lulled into a pleasant half-sleep.

After an indeterminate amount of time, I felt a hand shake my shoulder. Feeling slightly warmer air around my face, it came as no surprise that once I opened my eyes I saw Dante. „I know you´re trying to rest, but… something's been bothering me…“ Their clockhands were twitching nervously. „...the pirates, they all seemed so… certain… that if we kept going this way, we'd run into some huge disaster.“

„Dante, just leave them to sleep. It was probably nothing.“ Rodya groaned from the back. It likely wasn´t the first time they have discussed that particular thing among themselves. „Pirates can be pretty superstitious bunch. I should know, I beat few of them in cards because of that.“

„Well…“ I started, but I was interrupted by Faust who strolled up to thee helm where Outis stood, keeping an eye on everything. She still didn´t trust the automatic navigation, but at least she wasn´t messing with it.

„Outis, we will have to steer the ship portside.“ Faust said to Outis all of the sudden.

„What?“ She whipped her head around in confusion. „Hey. It hasn't been an hour since you told us that we'll have to cross this zone in a straight line.“

„We are falling short of our target speed. At our current rate, we will be struck by the next zone's Waves as soon as we exit here.“

„Is that the damned law of this zone?“ Outis questioned through gritted teeth.

„Indeed.“ Faust replied. „Though our encounter with the pirates was rapidly resolved, we still fell behind schedule. The variable coordinates now points to a different route.“

A vague memory surfaced in my head. Mephistopheles was lengthening to provide a small arena to fight some spongy hand Whale and its mermaids. In the middle of a storm.

„How much time are we going to have to waste here?“

„According to the variable coordinates… the necessary roundabout path will cost us three more days.“

Outis bit her lip with discontent before suddenly turning to me and Dante.

„Executive Manager, Alighiero, I have a genius plan. A plan that will not only accelerate this operation but also increase the chances of securing and rescuing the lives of the remaining LCCB Agents.“ She said proudly. „If we were to waste three more days at sea, there is obviously very little guarantee for their well-being.“

„Well… What's the plan?“ Dante asked, turning fully to Outis.

„We keep going forward.“ With that, Outis slowly raised the acceleration lever.

„What?!“ Ishmael´s hair practically raised from her head. „Are you nuts? We'd be sailing right into the Waves, you know that?“

„I know what the Waves are, swabbie. I'm not as ignorant of the Great Lake as you might think. You've had plenty of experience weathering and conquering Waves as well, haven't you?“ Outis said to her as Mephistopheles speed up towards the barrier that separated the lakes.

„Yeah! But that's because they were unavoidable! Because we lacked enough information to take the roundabout path! I've never sailed knowingly into the Waves before.“ She turned to me for support. „Alighiero, please…“ She was practically begging me to tell Outis off, to stop her.

I couldn´t do that for her, however. „Three days is way too much time to be wasted. We could miss the window of opportunity to meet up with the Elder which would make chasing after the Bough a suicide mission.“

„But the Bough is in the Lobotomy Corp. Branch… the Before Team forwarded that information to us-“

„The rumbling Pilot heard was that of the Pallid Whale, Ishmael. It swallowed the branch whole with it, everything and everyone inside.“

„Do you know which Whale is in the lake ahead of us?“

I nodded. „I don´t remember its name exactly, but it looks like a giant spongy hand.“

„The Whale of the Porous Hand… I was really hoping to avoid that one.“ She tightened the rope around her harpoon. „I hope I won´t regret trusting you to know what you are talking about.“

She spoke as if the decision was already made. I turned to Dante and Faust, awaiting their judgement of the situation.

„Your decision, Dante?“ Faust asked, ready to revert the controls if need be.

„Let's try following Outis' plan.“ They said resolutely.

„Understood. Crossing the zone's borders to the target Lake.“

The moment the busboat crossed the threshold, the sky grew dark and the storm came over us with everything that gos with it. Rain, thunder and lashing winds, all at once.

„Thunder?“

„It's really starting to pour.“

„We're in the eye of the storm.“

The Sinners were in awe of the sudden change of weather. Well, not Ishmael.

„The Waves are already here, manager.“ She said.

„Hm. That was an entertaining display. Charon, this seems like a good opportunity to test that function.“ Vergilius said as Fawkes clung to my feet, shaking with every clap of the thunder.

„Ok. Switching to Endure mode.“

Like magic, the deck of the ship extended. As a result, the ship shook quite a bit less in the waves.

„What should… What do we do now?“ Dante asked, clearly out of their depth. I looked to Ishmael who gripped her harpoon tight.

„We survive.“ We said at once, surprising each other.

„There's this adage that every greenhorn sailor of the Great Lake hears before they set their first sail: „There is but one thing you can count on if you find yourself in an unfamiliar Lake whose Waves are alien to you...“

A colossal waves rose and fell, tossing the ship around like a toy.

„S.I.C. Ready your weapons if you want to delay the inevitable.“ Ryoshu called out as the Sinners stepped out onto the deck.

„...It's not your sailing prowess, your far-seeing eyes of a pathfinder, or the unbreakable bond between you and your mates. Many sailors fail to endure this trial and instead choose to become sacrifices to the depths of the Lake...“

„Huh? S-something's climbing onto our ship?!“ Sinclair exclaimed in a panicked voice as an enormous hand-shaped thing grasped onto and over the side of the busboat.

„Trust nothing but your own resolve to hold steadfast in the face of terror, in the face of calamity, though the raging Lake may remain indifferent to the will of your meager existence.“ Outis joined Ishmael in the last part. They shared a short glance afterwards and stepped out as well, just as the mermaids began to crawl out of the holes in the hand.

They moved out while I stayed behind along with Vergilius and Charon, watching them as wave after wave of fish-shaped monsters with bulbous eyes clashed against them, tearing through their bodies with bony claw-like spurs on their fins.

There were deaths, just like before, but much, much worse. Each turn back of the clock felt more and more draining, to the point when I barely registered the pain.

I had to sit down, using my spear as a crutch rather than a weapon. Which was tricky because it was quite long and holding it completely vertical would risk scraping the floor or the ceiling with the pointy end. Fawkes came from under the seat to push me further back into the seat, settling on top of my lap. The additional weight did make it a little bit easier to not sway in the seat at least.

Then finally, it was over. Sinners returned inside, dripping with rain, seawater and filthy with fishy, rotting muck.

„Mermaids… were they human, once?“ Dante asked once everyone settled into their seats, semi-clean and slightly drier than before.

„Not every creature that lives in the depths of the Great Lake are called 'Whales'. Whales specifically refer to… everything in the Great Lake that can parasitize humans.“ Ishmael´s eyes looked far, beyond the storm, way back into the past. „And Whales give birth to 'Mermaids'.“

„And where do the Mermaids come from?“

„They're people devoured by Whales that came with the Waves. There's no guarantee that we won't meet the same fate. See? Now you know why you could turn the clock all day and fail to bring us back.“

„That´s not exactly the full truth.“ I interjected, catching Ishmael´s attention. „I can´t speak for myself, naturally, but the Golden Bough stored inside of Dante´s clock can counteract Whales´ parasitic nature. At the very least, that of the Pallid Whale.“

There is was. The smallest glimmer of hope shone in Ishmael´s eyes as she grabbed my shoulders. „Can it… can it be reversed? The pallidification?“ At the very same time, I saw her anger, her hatred… her determination to push past everything and everyone who dared to stand in her way.

„I don´t know about reversal… but it can definitely slow the process down by a lot. As long as the person has something to hold onto. As long as the person has something to turn to that isn´t the Whale´s will, anything... they can survive.“

Ishmael gasped. I could see that she understood what I had in mind.

„Once the Whale is dead… I suppose it´s possible that the pallidification can be fought off like an illness left behind by a parasite. But that isn´t something that I know for sure.“

„It´s a game of chance then…“ Ishmael nodded. „...uncertain in its outcome, but even that fool´s chance is more than I imagined.“

We finally made it out of the Waves and into calmer seas. I briefly wondered if we can finally start smooth-sailing toward the coordinates. The air inside the busboat was soaked and stinking of fish. I stepped outside to get away from the concentrated stench, even for a little while.

„The Lake… When I look into its waters… I see my shimmering reflection. Maybe I’m just as refracted and twisted like my reflection in the water. It doesn’t matter which Lake we’re on… I always look so warped, so unstable…“

Ishmael mumbled under her breath, not even noticing me until Fawkes trotted up to her and licked her hand.

„Why haven´t you told me earlier?“

„I didn´t know how.“ I admitted. „Besides, would you have believed me when we were on the shore?“

„No… but still.“ Ishmael shook her head. „You know what happened then… you know what I must do...“

Dante joined us quietly and it was then when the glimpses of the past entered my mind.

My hands were… peeling… bleeding…

Saltwater seeped into my gaping wounds. It hurt so much. So, so much that I thought I might faint if I didn’t let go…

But I couldn’t.

I…

What was I holding on to?

Soft ding of their clock told me they also saw what I glimpsed thanks to them. Unfortunately, there wasn´t much time for lengthy heart-to-heart as Outis marched up to us.

„Executive Manager, there is a matter that requires your attention! We are approaching our next coordinates.“

„O-okay!“ They turned around, following Outis. As did Ishmael.

„I’ll go see, too.“

I was left alone with Fawkes on the deck, staring into murky green-colored water below. My face scarcely looked like me. It dawned on me that there was a fat chance that the person who would make it back home would be nothing like the person who was pulled into the cruel reality of the City.

Soon, my thoughts were interrupted by Don´s extremely loud yelling that could rival the sound of Mephistopheles´ alert system.

„OOOOOOOOOOOHHH! LO! That is a Mini-Cruuuiise ship over yonder! A veritable par-tay ship! A vessel of par-taying!“

Even from this distance, I could see the colorful balloons and banners decorating the ship. Albeit distant, even the music from it carried to my ears.

„I! LOVE! TO! PARRR-TAY!“ Don exited the busboat. In her hands was something that looked suspiciously similar to a megaphone.

„Heigh-ho!!! Allow me to ask thee and thy fine company a few questions!!“ She practically yelled at the other ship, unaware of the fact there weren´t any humans to listen, let alone answer. The faintly blaring music was the only response from the ship.

Others have gathered outside soon after. Mostly to confiscate the megaphone from Don Quixote.

„Maybe they can’t hear us over the music. Boy, music these days… they’re just too loud for me. It’ll be faster if we just head over there and ask them in person.“ Gregor complained. He took ownership of the megaphone, quickly handing it to Meursault who was tall enough to keep it out of Don´s range of grasp.

„Nope. Don´t even think about going to that ship.“ I said as I turned around to face them instead of the water below.

„Alighiero?“

„There are no humans left on that ship. The Waves already swallowed them, leaving only mermaids behind.“

„So they are… Mermaids…“ Don said somberly, head hung down.

Ishmael looked through the ship´s telescope, looking at the other ship´s deck. „If that´s so then… whoever sailed on this ship… they were probably too distracted by the party to realize that they broke a law of the Lake. So…

„And they ended up getting devoured by a Whale.“ Dante finished. „Leaving a deserted ship… in the aftermath.“

The mood turned and with it came Ishmael´s chilling addition. „Even if we stick to every single law of the Lake, depending on the type of its Waves, getting too close to a ship that broke the law could get us swept up in the aftermath. We should stay as far as we can afford.“

And so we stayed where we were, swaying on the waves of green, winds whipping around us as we waited to progress. That was when Fawkes alerted me with mad barking at seemingly nothing at all.

I didn´t want to wait and see what he was barking at. „Something´s got Fawkes barking up a storm.“ I called to Ishmael who was already getting on the deck, closely followed by Outis and Don. Fawkes instead pushed past them and ran inside.

„Mermaids?“ Ishmael asked.

„I don´t know.“ I shook my head. „I don´t remember anything like this. And I thought that I´ve had this passage down pretty well because I struggled along this part for a while...“

„There´s something on the radar but it´s… strange. Fading in and out. Frequently changing in size.“ Faust informed us as she also exited the main part of the boat. „You should return inside immediately, Alighiero.“

Just as Faust finished the sentence, Mephistopheles swayed one more time before a smudge of black and yellow softly landed on the edge of the ship.

He wasn´t smiling.

For the first time I could see he wasn´t just a dark shadow figure. He wore a cape split in two reminiscent of a pair of wings, which were sickly, pale yellow underneath. The bottom edges were torn up and flapped in the wind like miniature flags.

„Which one of you killed First Mate Smee?“ He asked, voice booming like the shot of a cannon as his single pale eye gleamed menacingly – the second was hidden by a pointed hat sitting askew on his head with a single yellowish feather stuck into it behind a golden band of sharp teeth that distantly resembled a crown.

No Sinner dared answer him. I noticed that I was being surrounded and pushed back, inside the busboat, little by little.

„WHO. KILLED. SMEE?!“ He asked again, with the voice loud enough to shake the whole ship.

„I did.“ I called out before Ishmael had the chance. Although it was a gamble, the Shadow Child has favored me in the past enough to save my life… so if anything, it was an educated gamble.

The Shadow jumped into the air as if weightless and slowly, like a piece of paper floating downwards, he descended right above me, horizontal against the wall. His pale eye gleamed somewhat brighter as he laughed hard enough to shake the entire ship.

„I knew it, I knew it!“ He kicked into the air, floating just above the deck. „Only my best friend could kick that mean, mean Smee´s butt…“ He then pouted like… well, like a child would. „...but I wanted to do it.“

„There´s still Captain Hook, though, isn´t there?“ I asked carefully. It seemed to have cheered the child up.

„Yes! Yes! Even better!“ He waved at me with his hat. „I will go now… watch out for the Ticking Crocodile!“

With that, he was gone.

„Ticking Crocodile?“ Don cocked her head to the side. „Didst they mean Manager Esquire?“ She pondered. Meanwhile, Outis took a more direct approach – she pressed me against the wall.

„Explain yourself! What was that thing?“

„I don´t know for sure…“ I stuck a hand into my pocket where the stone that summoned him back in Calw rested. It was freezing cold to the touch, because no matter what, it never grew even a little warm. „...but if my assumption is correct… that abnormality is what´s become of my only friend.“

The wind carried a distant melody to my ears that brought forth bitter tears. The notes of Legend of Zelda´s iconic main theme, played on a lone, weeping flute.

I wasn´t safe from questioning inside either. Hours and hours of various Sinners trying to get any more information about my past out of me passed by. Luckily, I was used to stubbornly guarding each and every piece of me and their patience was fortunately finite, even on the otherwise uneventful journey to the next, and possibly final, set of coordinates… until we were inevitably dragged along the waves towards the Pallid Whale, that is.

„Hey, the radar's caught something. It's… large. Fixed size.“

Faust approached Outis who was standing next to the navigation screen. „That is very close to the center of the coordinates.“

„Then that dot on the radar has to be…“

„…The Lobotomy Corp. Branch of District 21.“ Gregor finished for Outis.

„I'm going out for some air.“

I didn´t want to let her go on her own, but going myself would ring several alarm bells for the people around me. Instead, I sent Fawkes in. Though unsure of the world outside, he did do as I commanded him. He stood by her like a protective pillar as she muttered to herself.

She did end up petting his large head, so I hoped he was able to provide some solace at least.

„Ah… There it is. Our destination, the Lobotomy Corp. Branch of U Corp.“ Vergilius said as the large structure came into view. To say that the pale membranes that covered it were disgusting was a gross understatement.

„Ho. Creepy.“ Ryoshu smiled, while every other Sinner froze at the sight.

„That's… the Lobotomy Corp. Branch?“ Gregor asked, not so sure about it.

„We are as close as it is physically possible to be to the center of the area delineated by the coordinates. The structure's size and appearance match the intel we received as well.“

Ishmael returned inside, trembling. Not even Fawkes could offset the dread that has overtaken her.

„I observe the Lobotomy Corp. logo between the white materials.“ Meursault confirmed, tone somehow more flat and hollow than usual.

„What the hell happened here?“ Gregor asked.

„Pilot said that the last thing that the Twinhook Pirates said before leaving this place was… 'The Calamity is coming', wasn't it?“

„The Pallid Whale.“ I nodded. „Or as it´s known in the source material – Moby Dick.“

„It sure makes the place look sickly.“ Heathcliff nodded along in agreement.

Sinclair shivered at the realization that entered all of our minds. „Then… Pilot's team is already…“

„We should consider them lucky if they haven't been turned into Mermaids…“ Outis patted his shoulder.

„So the Calamity was…“ Dante paused themselves. I haven´t even realized how quiet they have become over the course of the journey. It was almost as if they have surrendered themselves to the waves of the Lake, letting the winds carry them whenever.

„It won't matter how careful you are. At the Great Lake, the Calamities will always find you. The laws of the Great Lake don't apply to them… making it impossible to predict their patterns.“ Ishmael said solemnly, recalling the events of the past it seemed like.

Vergilius stood up, walking to the controls. „And now's the time to row your way into the ruins the Calamity left behind.“ He pointed outside. „Take the skiff to the Lobotomy Corp. Branch. It's on the Lake adjacent to this one. I'll be keeping my distance and watching from this Lake, just in case of an emergency.“

„Isn't that exactly why you should be coming with us?“ Dante questioned.

„Who knows what the guide bud's thinking, eh?“ Gregor shrugged in response. „Come to think of it, why don´t you stay behind, Alighiero? No point in risking your life on that rickety thing over there.“ He pointed to the skiff tied to the side of Mephistopheles. „Especially when, as you put it, you struggled with this part.“

„You´re not wrong…“ I said in response. „There would be a really, really difficult fight, but I did make sure to divert that mess away from us.“ I patted his shoulder reassuringly. „Unless someone pulled something really stupid that I couldn´t anticipate, it´s a non-issue.“

Dante was thinking things over, however. Carefully. For longer than was normal.

„No. Alighiero is coming with us.“

„Dante-“ Faust went to question them, but Dante stopped her. „I can´t explain why, but… it feels like the right thing to do.“

There was no arguing with the decision of the Manager, and so the small engine on the skiff revved gently, and the short, sputtering journey to the Lobotomy Corp. Branch began. I double checked my pockets for belongings.

I had my phone, the speech collar around my neck and the stone in my pocket. The spear and Fawkes were left behind on the ship, mostly because the skiff was very small and besides, I didn´t really know how to properly use the spear.

There was a growing sense of worry among the Sinners as we climbed the pale membrane-enveloped stairs leading up to the Lobotomy Corp. Branch. The closer we got to the entrance, the more reluctant the Sinners' gaits became.

As though they were growing increasingly wary that some unseen enemy could ambush them at any second… even though I told them there wasn´t any serious danger, their minds could not be swayed.

Despite what I told them, they were walking deeper and deeper into the structure, as if compelled by an unseen force. I was reminded of the strange stillness they were held by in K Corp., able to only watch as Samjo prepared to jump into the vat of tears.

Still, I had to try.

„Guys, where are you going?! I told you already, we just need to wait outside!“

They weren´t listening to me at all, just like before. My blood ran cold.

Don Quixote suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. She was looking blankly at a section of the wall, so I knew that she didn´t stop because of me, but I still allowed myself a little breath of relief.

„See anything interesting, kiddo?“ Rodion asked her.

„Here. In the wall.“ She pointed at a figure encrusted in pale membranes.

„Huh…?“

„There is… a person in this wall.“

„GUYS!“ I yelled at them. The second time, they finally turned around. „Oh, thank god you still can hear me… anyway, short recap, yes, they are people. No, there isn´t anything we can do for them. Lastly, the Bough isn´t even here! I told you already and yet you walked in like some… puppets on strings…“

„Compelled by an unseen force… just like her obsession.“ Ishmael muttered. „The very obsession that drove the whole crew of Pequod to madness, chasing after that damned Whale… the same will to subdue still lingers in this pallid membrane.“

„Alighiero is right… we should not have come inside, let alone so deep into the structure.“

I was glad that I was at least able to slap some sense into Ishmael,, because she was the fulcrum around which the rest spun at the moment. Even Dante, the esteemed Manager of Limbus Company was following her step, not the other way around.

That was when an imperceptibly light breeze broke through the silence.

A solitary butterfly.

It moved with grace tinged with fragility, as though it did not fear the weight of silence. It took a moment to gently flutter onto a puddle.

„...That is a butterfly.“ Faust commented at the brilliant blue insect before us.

Ryoshu scoffed. „Hmph, you think any ordinary butterfly would wander into a place like this?“

After a quick respite, the butterfly fluttered its wings and took off once again.

„It's like… the butterfly is asking us to follow.“

„It might be a trap… But we're lost. It's the only thing with any sense of direction we have at the moment.“ Dante nodded.

„I am in agreement. I am… also quite intrigued by the butterfly.“ Yi Sang agreed.

I kept quiet on the origin of the butterfly. We would find out soon enough anyway. We followed the mysterious butterfly deeper into the Lobotomy Corp. Branch. A man with a fishbowl for a head was waiting for us there.

„Quite the arduous journey you've endured.“ He said as the butterfly we were following folded its wings and settled into his sloshing head.

„I didn't expect to find any unharmed survivors…“ Sinclair whispered to Dante.

„No, wait. Is he… a Distortion?“ Dante looked to me. I nodded shortly, eyes not straying away from him. He was my first official introduction to the Team Blue. I had to step carefully. The more stupid and mundane I appeared, the better.

Heathcliff pointed at the materialized person in front of us with his bat. „Oi, clockhead. You friends with that bowlhead?“

„A Distortion? Like… that Bingbong's Bar & Fryers owner from earlier?“ Gregor asked in a hushed voice. I facepalmed.

„Gregor, it was Eunbong´s… it´s not been that long ago. I agree, though, that dude´s weird.“

„I see that many of you are rather flummoxed by my appearance. This is but one of the many ways one may choose to understand the journey that is the world. So, please do not be so wary.“

„Oooh… Thy head… splishes and sploshes so.“ Don said, mesmerized by the water in his head.

„Under the night sky where the stars have gone out, I await the coming dawn.“ He said, small waves breaking the calm of the water´s surface. „Call me Rim.“

Yi Sang nearly spoke up, but Outis has beaten him to it. „We're not here to introduce ourselves. So why don't we cut to the chase. Explain yourself. You must have some reason for coming to this mad place.“

In the absence of response, she continued. „We didn't see any other boat than our own by the docks of this structure. So explain how you-“

„I have no need of ships should I wish to cross the ocean. I am simply here to have a look at all of you.“

„So we´re just some sort of a traveling circus to you? Cheap entertainment? That´s a new low.“

„You say so as if there were no other onlookers and puppeteers on this voyage that you know of. But truth is seldom so simple, isn´t it?“

He´s had me figured out from the start. The implications have not done any good for my psyche, that´s for sure. At least there weren´t any mermaids to interrupt that lovely spar of a chat.

„You are those who follow the bough's golden ray… and yet… you are not following your trusty compass. I wonder why that is…“

It was hard to tell if he was looking at me or not. He had no eyes to estimate and his bulbous head was quite large.

„Regardless, we all have paths to follow… only those who are lost are allowed to wander. Because when all is lost… then all is found.“

„We? Who are you talking about?“ Ryoshu suddenly stepped in front of me, hand lightly over her sword. It wasn´t the only time she did that, but it felt… different somehow. More intentional.

I found comfort in that.

„We are those who watch all, those who bide the time. Those who will be sovereigns of a Star.“ Rim said. „Yet, we are those who cannot all embody the same Star.“

Sinclair gasped, looking at something, but I could not tell at all what it was, nor did I remember.

„Those who watch, you say…“ Yi Sang shot a silent gaze in Rim's direction. „Rim. Have you also watched the breaking of the League, then? Have you any idea of what fate has befallen our old fellows?“

„I do.“

„Yet you have done… naught but observe?“

It was an accusatory question, burning like hot coals, made to burn that much hotter when Rim did not answer right away.

„Is he one of your old… friends, Yi Sang?“ Hong Lu asked him.

„A part of my life that you have witnessed afore. One of those who left when the League of Nine scattered into the winds. You have last uttered to me that you would journey to the ocean, yet…“

Rim nodded, as well as a crystalline ball half-filled with water could. „Indeed, I was one of them. Once. I shall answer your question, Yi Sang. You ask whether I have done naught but watch? That is a question born of vacuity. For you, the League is dead. Yet, for some, its death was but a beginning.“

„I am certain that you are… well aware of that yourself. When does something end? When does something begin? The distinction is arbitrary and signifies naught.“

„The shattering of the League was a beginning for Brother Young-ji as well.“

„I see… You have cast it aside long, long time ago.“ Yi Sang replied, eyes cast downwards.

„My eyes were simply opened to the stem of this world. The singular, yet all-important stem. Once your eyes are opened to it… everything else becomes… As hollow as the fall of wilted petals.“

„I just need to know one thing.“ Ishmael said, stepping forth. „If… the Golden Bough is inside the Whale that devoured this place… And if the Golden Boughs can really… somehow… counteract the Pallidification effects…“

Her breathing was quick and light. She couldn't even finish her sentence.

„It can be said that, indeed, what you believe, what you wish to be true, is correct.“

Rim´s words had an immediate, profound effect on Ishmael. „...I see.“

„I hope I have been a useful signpost to you all.“ Rim said, addressing everyone at once.

„To where do you seek to depart again?“ Yi Sang asked him.

„I was once a mere pond who only knew where the sea, the rivers, and the City were. Now I seek to reach there with my wings. That is all.“

A question rattled against the cage of my brain. I had to ask, even if that meant revealing a touch too much.

„Rim… you say you once knew of the rivers… are there streams that run past the confines of this world, as it were?“

„No. There are rivers that run in this world and they are confined to it, much like the people are. There are, however, beings far greater than anything there is to know.“

As I went to question him further, he replied on his own.

„You´ve already met one – you bear its Sign.“

I wished I have not asked him about it at all.

„Stop right there… You know too much! Think we're about to let you leave, just like that?“ Outis snapped at him, but Rim remained calm.

„Pity. Try as you might to hold me now, I flow betwixt your fingers. Well, then…“ With that, he stepped into the puddle… and disappeared into its depths.

When Rim left, much shambling was heard, as if stationary guards in a castle have moved to deal with the intruders at once.

„It can be deduced that it was his influence that kept the Mermaids at bay.“ Meursault commented as he chopped through the mermaids with well-placed strikes of his gauntlets. I was very glad that dante decided to bring their PDA and identity cards with them, otherwise we´d be screwed as hell.

„But why?“ Rodya asked, doing her best to keep the Mermaids at bay.

„I can only theorize that their primal sense of certain ebbs and flows of energy remained even as their reason eroded.“ Faust replied. She had much easier time with her zweihander that offered her a nice long reach, even though she was absorbing a lot of damage which I wasn´t looking forward to experiencing.

That was when the last Mermaid of that wave fell dead.

„You're saying that he scared 'em off or something?“ Gregor cleaned mermaid muck from his glasses by rubbing them against his shirt which wasn´t that much cleaner either.

„Sinclair, on his forehead, there was-“ Dante started, but Sinclair understood immediately.

„Yeah.“

„That Rim guy… If he's got that mark… You think he's in cahoots with the flying blue kid from before?“ Rodion asked.

„It´s been more or less confirmed, but-“ I noticed something peeking from Sinclair´s pocket that gave me a pause. „Ehm… Sinclair, what´s that thing in your pocket there?“ I asked, squinting at the edge. He immediately froze.

„Ugh… I told you it was a bad idea from the get go!“ He yelled at Heathcliff in an unusual fit of anger. Looking between his anxious face and Heathcliff´s guilty one. I paused.

Then I started laughing, confusing just about everyone.

„Don´t tell me…. don´t tell me, Heathcliff, that I gave you one, just a SINGLE one, exceedingly simple thing to NOT do… and you just… you blew it in totality... for goddamn HAIR COUPONS?!?!!“

Chapter Text

„I-I thought...“

„OH, so you THOUGHT?“ I threw my hands in the air in utter disbelief of Heathcliff. „Well let me tell you what the exact cost of your glorious thinking is…The Big Brother of the Middle… Fucking Ricardo of the Middle Finger Himself, the Single Most Vain Asshole in these waters is who you just so happened to royally piss off.“

„Wow… great thinking, Heathcliff.“ Hong Lu smiled at him, though just below the happy expression was the thick layer of dread, just barely rearing up its terrified head.

Under slightly different circumstances, the little verbal spat would´ve probably devolved into a proper brawl. However, sudden shaking of the platform made everyone reconsider.

„Let´s get out of here!“ Dante commanded. I stuck to the very back of the group.

Said group has stopped just shy of the entrance. Water has splashed in from the outside, wetting the stairs and turning the fleshy membrane into a slippery deathtrap for anyone who didn´t thread with extreme caution.

„W-what madness is this?!“ Don cried as she slipped and fell on her face.

Meursault was following hot on her heels and graciously picked her up by the back of her shirt and coat while looking ahead. „I observe multiple ships on the horizon, beyond the wall of mist. None of their silhouettes resemble Mephistopheles.“

„It´s possible they have yet to see the Manager or Alighiero. We could hide you down here, endure whatever is thrown our way and wait to be brought back.“ Outis promptly suggested.

„W-wait! Look around!“ Heathcliff pointed at the standing water puddles on the platform. „The water level… it'll be up to our britches any minute! We don´t know how long the whole thing will take and if Dante or Alighiero drown, we´re fucked.“

It was as Heathcliff said. When we first got to this branch, the water level was quite low… but the water had risen high enough that the waves were lapping at the platform we were standing on.

„It's high tide. It appears that this Lake's water levels rise and fall depending on the time of day.“

The appreciation of Faust´s analysis was short-lived, as something flew our way and wedged itself in the wall of the Lobotomy Corp. Branch.

„They have launched something in our direction.“

„Brace for impact! Here comes another!“

Harpoons started piercing the front wall and the floor of the structure. All at an angle for ease of sliding down with their hooks on the ropes attached to those very harpoons.

„Agh…“ In anger, Ryoshu parried a number of the harpoons back with the back of her sheathed sword, but there were just too many of them.

„It's those Twithook Pirates again, huh… Gotta say, I can respect their tenacity.“ Gregor said, chewing on the unlit cigarette between his teeth. His hand searched his pockets for a lighter, but he found it was out of fluid.

„Those trash are here only thanks to your very stubborn vengeance, no doubt.“ Outis barked at Ishmael.

I sighed. „He doesn´t care about Smee enough to pull up with all that fanfare. It would be just the pirates if that was the sole reason. The coupons were the crux of all this… and the pirates tagged along for revenge, but they would come regardless.“

I stepped back, deeper inside of the structure, as deep as the water would allow. „With a bit of luck, all I´ll have to do is stay put in here while you stall Ricardo, dying a thousand deaths which I will inevitably suffer along with you… And I sure hope that the Elder makes it here before Ricardo decides to smash Dante´s head into pieces.“

Dante looked at me in silence.

„If you are expecting a strategy from me for dealing with that fuck… no. There isn´t a single combination that guarantees a win. Because you can´t win. All you can do is buy us time with every try because Ricardo is in it for the fun of it. Good luck.“

„Ha ha, now ye know why they call us the Twinhooks!“ I heard the pirates call from the upper section as the Sinners left. I didn´t have a single usable weapon on me – even if I still had the swiss knife, the blade of it was gone and fighting Mermaids with a corkscrew didn´t seem like a sane idea even in the worst of circumstances. So I waited, as the water level rose up, little by little.

The pirates didn´t last long, of course, but they weren´t the actual threat standing in our way.

„We're fending them off somehow, but… something tells me this is nowhere close to the worst of it.“

„That ship in the middle sure is eye-catching.“ I heard Hong Lu say to Dante.

I hoped I would not have to think of its purple decor or of the tall man clad in equally purple, opulent fur with purple sunglasses and hot pink hair. Or hear the rattle of heavy chainlinks they wore wrapped around their forearms and necks in place of weapons. But thanks to Heathcliff, that dream melted into an actual nightmare.

„Uh… oh… T-that guy, standing there at the center…“ Rodya rarely ever showed that much fear and anxiety. There was no doubt about who she was looking at.

„That weird guy up there? He's been posing like that over there ever since this whole mess started.“

„Posing? That's not what I'm talking about, Dante…“

I clamped my hands over my ears. I didn´t want to hear all that mess. Instead, I looked at the water below, slowly splashing back and forth. The surface was steadily rising, but not so quickly that I would need to move for at least a few more minutes. Eventually, though, I had to move and I needed my hands for that.

The first words that reached my ears belonged to a man with an almost ear-bleeding, booming voice. It didn´t help he was accompanied by loud EDM beats.

„All right. How was the warmup?“

„Big Bro's givin' y'all time for a warmup! Appreciate it!“ One of his henchemen added.

Luckily, the noisy background perfectly covered my slight ascend on the slippery, membrane-covered stairs. The unfortunate reality however began to dawn on me. My clothes were getting very soaked. Then again, hypothermia would at least in theory knock me out before killing me, so at least there was that to look forward to.

Ricardo definitely wouldn´t give me that kind of treatment and neither would the mermaids.

„He's wearing Sunglasses? In this gloomy weather?“ Dante´s ticking almost made me laugh and blow my cover. Almost.

„All hands. Prepare for battle.“ I heard Outis say just before I shut my ears to the slaughter that would inevitably follow. I didn´t want to hear them fumble at negotiations. I didn´t want to hear them get killed, over and over in gradually more cruel ways. My body felt every sting and scrape and gash and slam… over and over… but the pain never lessened, not for a moment. Then the blood began to pour down the stairs… the Sinners´ blood.

The only thing that changed was my attitude towards the inevitability and futility of pushing back against that brick wall.

And so I sat there, curled up, shaking, clothes soaked with cold seawater. Though I clasped my hands over my ears, I could not shut out the violent rushing of my heart that thundered in my chest to the point of pain. I tried breathing deeply, just to keep some semblance of calm… and that was when I saw something move in the murky waters that were once again lapping at my feet. The blood has reached the waters below and attracted hungry monsters living in its depths.

The fact that I had nothing to defend myself with instantly became extremely worrying. I looked around for something, anything that could be used… and I found a rusty pipe. Not the most covert of weapons, but it wasn´t like I had many choices if I wanted to live.

Thunk

I tore the pipe from its pallidified spot, hitting a wall on the other side of the narrow stairwell. The sound must´ve pissed off the mermaid because it lunged at me, claws first… only to get the very same pipe showed into its teeth-filled maw as I pushed it back to the water from whence it came with all the strength I had. I had to lose my only weapon in order to make the mermaid leave me alone, but I considered that a resounding win.

Unfortunately, there was a wave of profound silence worming its way down the stairwell. The music stopped. So much for being covert.

„Boss, there´s another one! Down here!“

The pipe which I believed to be my only way to escape death has become a bell, and its toll spelled my funeral. There was nowhere to run and no amount of training would have strengthened me to be able to 1v1 Ricardo.

In short, shit was fucked.

I had nothing, but my brain to rely on as I faced the hair-obsessed man built of pure muscle and vanity. I was dragged in front of him by his cronies. The previously mostly pale whitish platform was smeared with blood. Most of the Sinners were already dead. The ones left alive were Ishmael, Faust and Dante, but even then, Faust was heavily injured and Ishmael, at her most angriest, was barely able to lean on her harpoon for support.

„No…“ I heard Ishmael´s weak voice. Faust was talking to Dante, her head leaning against their shoulder. Against all the dread and obliteration… there was only one thing I could´ve done, one last trick up my sleeve.

„One little duckling snuck away, hm?“ My feet left the ground as his hand grabbed a fistful of my clothes. I was surprised that he bothered to check out my employee card. „Temporary employee? Figures you don´t have enough loyalty in you to sign up full time… you can´t even stand by yer pals.“

He tutted at me. „Should´ve stayed in the City ponds.“ He squeezed my neck till I saw splotches of darkness cloud my vision. And that was precisely when I pulled out the very last joker.

„H-harder… da-daddy…“

He released me as if I burned his hand.

„WHADDAFUCK!!!“

Heaving and coughing I rubbed my sore throat. „Is that… not to your liking?“ I looked up at him with the saddest, most pathetic eyes I could´ve muster. „I distinctly remember the contract said… strong preference... for lopsided power dynamics…“

„Contract? What contract?“ He asked, scrunching his face in half-apprehension, half-confusion.

I rose to my feet slowly, putting on a very distinct persona. „The job... You know, the one you paid premium for, birthday boy?“ I slowly ran my hand through my hair, painstakingly slowly dragging it down my neck, slightly pulling the coat off my shoulders, not tearing my eyes away from his for even a second.

As I did that, I tried to not think of the people who were watching my every move, utterly speechless.

„My birthday was… a while ago… and I... I didn´t order anything… did I? “ Ricardo whispered to the guy next to him, who just shook his head.

I closed my eyes and sighed dramatically. „Ahhhh… I must have the wrong guy then… my bad. Can you blame me, though? The contract clearly states „U Corp´s own Big Brother with the most Luscious Hairdo“… I wasn´t aware that description fit more than one person.“

„Can I see this contract?“

I started frantically searching my very soaked pockets for a piece of paper that definitely never existed in any of them. „Haaah… blasted mermaid must´ve snatched it… now I´m definitely not getting the ship-rental deposit back… darn it… I knew I should´ve asked for those 7 billion Ahn upfront.“

„Seven billion?“ He blinked at me, intrigued. „For what?“

I clapped my hands with a smile. „The performance, of course! Why else would a sane person row through the Lake to this godforsaken place?“ I spun around. „You´re looking at the top notch dancer and personal entertainer. Now, I don´t typically do this kinda stuff off-shore, let alone in the middle of bum-fuck nowhere, but... when the price is right... it´s really difficult to say no, y´ know?“ I sauntered little closer to him, showing off my body like I was some kind of a blue-ribbon pampered poodle. „So I grabbed a crew of bodyguards from the mainland, dressed up as a temp employee to not draw too much attention, then waited in the designated spot and everything… but I´m getting the feeling that it might´ve been a scam all along… what a mess.“ I shook my head at him.

He shook his head in disbelief and laughed. „Some bodyguards that bunch are… so it´s you who is the actual top dog in ´ere?“

„You could say that…“ Before he went to kill me I raised my hands up protectively. „Look, I get that whatever shenanigans these idiots pulled really rubbed you the wrong way… I will not argue with you, it is my responsibility to answer for their… horrendous transgressions… but since I´m already here, why not let me make this whole business worth your time twice over, hm?“ I lightly pulled on the top three buttons of my shirt until thy came undone.

„...I´m listening.“

Jackpot.

„You´ll get a free premium-grade performance since my actual client failed to show up… and once that is done… you can do whatever you wanna do… to me and my pack of useless circus monkeys... how ´bout that?“

He rubbed his chin as his eyes hungrily passed over my body. I´ve seen the same look in the eyes of men and women countless times to know that he took the bait. „Hmmm… you do raise some very strong points… say, what´s your name? I get the sense that „Alighiero“ is part of the... cover you mentioned.“

I laughed softly. „Well, since you asked so nicely… it´s Zorro. No one in the City knows me by my real name, but… since you´re probably going to end my life here, someone might as well know.“ I whispered to him with half-lidded eyes and a cheeky smile.

„Well then… go ahead… show me what is worth that amount of money.“ He said, taking off his sunglasses and licking his lips.

I turned around, doing all I could to not appear at all disgusted even as I kind of wanted to puke… both because of Ricardo and the gruesome scenery… and pulled out my phone. It didn´t take long at all to search up the specific song I decided on.

I silently cursed Heathcliff under my breath as I handed my phone to Dante.

„Just hold this and don´t drop it, ´kay?“ I said to them, trying to sound like their superior. I quickly looked beyond the platform. A cloud of mist was slowly nearing us.

Couple more minutes was all the time we needed.

I winked at them as I tapped the play button on the screen and walked over bodies of Sinners to the rhythm of the music that began blaring from the small device…

I like it, like it
I like it, like it
I like it, like it
I, I like it, like it
I like it, like it
I like it, like it
I like it, like it

...until I reached the optimal spot to perform.

(Na-na-na-na, c'mon)
I like it, like it
(Na-na-na-na, c'mon)
I, I like it, like it
(Na-na-na-na-na, c'mon)
I like it, like it
(Na-na-na-na-na, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon)
(Na-na-na-na-na)

Swaying to the music I unbuttoned few of the bottom buttons and tied my shirt into a knot to show off my midriff. If I was going to pull off a NAT 20 bardic seduction, I had to commit fully. Then it was truly my time to shine.

Feels so good being bad (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
There's no way I'm turning back (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)...

I strutted ahead with confidence I definitely didn´t have, channeling my inner Rodion. Then stopped with a slow body roll…

...Now the pain is my pleasure 'cause nothing could measure
(Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

...that flowed into a bend-over and gradual roll back up, rocking my hips to the beat.

Love is great, love is fine (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Out the box, outta line (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

I approached one of his goons, fingers trailing over his chest as looked into his eyes with hunger I didn´t feel and drew him towards me before pushing him away in a retreat...

The affliction of the feeling leaves me wanting more
(Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

...leaving him dissatisfied and yearning… classic carrot-on-the-stick.

'Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it
Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But chains and whips excite me

I tried my best to not think about the lyrics of the song and the implications they brought forth. As long as my little distraction dance worked as intended, it would be nothing but a horribly embarrassing memory to laugh at later.

Na-na-na-na, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
I like it, like it
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon
I like it, like it

At least for the time being, Ricardo´s eyes were following my every move – all things considering, that was a good thing.

I was on my knees sliding around in that fish-stinking, slippery mess. The smell alone would have me gagging if I wasn´t used to less-than-sanitary conditions in my last place of work… which was somehow worse than the flesh-covered, blood-smeared surface under me.

Surprisingly, its slimy nature made dancing easier, which was… not something I expected.

Just one night full of sin (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Feel the pain on your skin (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Tough, I don't scream mercy
It's your turn to hurt me, yeah
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

As I danced even closer to Ricardo, one of his more enthusiastic men threw loose chain at me – which I caught and used it like a really bad substitution for a feather boa.

If I'm bad, tie me down (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Shut me up, gag and bound… me (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
'Cause the pain is my pleasure
Nothing comes better, yeah
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

'Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it
Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But chains and whips excite me…

I unwound the chain from around my neck and threw it around Ricardo´s neck instead, as I looked into his burning eyes.

Oh, I love the feeling you bring to me
Oh, you turn me on
It's exactly what I've been yearning for
Give it to me strong...

Regardless, I proceeded to slowly let the chain slide out of my hands as I stepped away from him, shaking my ass around like my life depended on it… because it did.

...And meet me in my boudoir
Make my body say ah, ah, ah
I like it, like it

With each „ah“ was followed by a thrust of my hips. I didn´t dare tear my eyes away from his gaze even for a moment, adding desperate, lustful expressions into the whole act. I had to turn my back eventually if I wanted to appear as confident as the music suggested, though. I made sure to not let the heat lower for even a moment, though, squeezing my butt as I went and turned my head around at him, trying to look as needy as possible.

'Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it
Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it (Yeah)
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But chains and whips excite me (Uh-huh)

I spun around on the slippery ground before dropping on one knee, flipping my hair around and bashing the ground. Then, like a cat on a prowl I crawled towards him on all-fours.

Na-na-na-na, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
I like it, like it
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon
I like it, like it
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon
I like it, like it
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon
I like it, like it (Like it)

I held his eyes in mine the entire time and I could tell, he wasn´t just hooked.

He was aware of getting hooked and thrilled about it.
I leaned back on my heels until I could get up to my feet, rising from a back bend. I knew it would hurt like a motherfucker later, but to be fair, it could have very easily be the last thing I´ve ever done so I did not spare a single muscle in my body.

S-S-S and M-M-M
S-S-S and M-M-M
S-S-S and M-M-M (Oh)
S-S-S and M-M-M

I ended the routine standing in front of Ricardo with the most „come here and fuck me yourself, little man“ look I could muster, sweaty, hot and honestly, kind of bothered… which definitely wasn´t part of the plan, but at least I didn´t have to pretend... if I needed to.

There still was no sign of the Indigo Elder. Was I wrong? Was it really just a regular cloud of mist?

The panic gauge in my head was steadily rising as I breathed heavily. And then Ricardo started clapping with a wide-ass grin on his face.

„HA HA HA! Bravo! That was actually worth my time… of course I´ll still have to kill you but oh, what a performance… very nice. You know what, I´ll save you for the last… and maybe I´ll play a little more before I snap your neck…“

He turned to Dante, cracking his neck, side to side.

„Now, for the more boring, run-of-the-mill business. I call this move clock bashing!“

„No…! Dante! Run! Get out of here!“ Ishmael grabbed onto Ricardo´s leg, refusing to let him come any closer to Dante.

„Aww, that clock fella's gotta be someone so very precious to you, hmm? Just look at her, hanging onto my leg… after all that beating and bleeding...“ Ricardo laughed at her, cruelty in his eyes.

„Not the manager… No! Not Dante! Not Dante!“

I saw Dante reach up their head towards the button that would be end of both of us and my blood ran cold. I couldn´t move, not even to shake my head to stop them.

Suddenly, a distant sound rang through the air. A small laugh of relief found its way on my face as I looked into the mist. There was a fuzzy silhouette of a man, riding on a small skiff. Ricardo noticed him too.

„But why?“ He stared at the man on the skiff who was steadily rowing to our position. A giant harpoon was attached to the bow of the skiff. Then, with less sound than a whistle, something flew in the direction of Ricardo and pierced his shoulder with a wet, cracking sound – a harpoon.

One powerful shockwave later, the figure jumped and crossed the very much not jump-able distance, landing on the platform. Despite his age, the Elder landed gracefully, like a cat.

Ricardo stumbled and fell to his knees with his shoulder skewered.

„Haah… You!“ He yelled at the Elder.

The Elder´s arm was surrounded by rings of a familiar, warm light.

„You old geezer… thought you were out there, fishing… what, you think you're some hot shit now that they made you a Color? Just because you hunted the Marlin Whale? Are you challenging the Middle to a hunt us like we're some Whale? That it?“

„You're not the kind of idiot that would attack me without knowing the consequences.“ Ricardo growled at the Elder, but the latter regarded his outburst as nothing more than meowing of a tiny, fussy kitten.

„The Middle is no different from a Whale, hm. But that's not why I am here.“ He looked at the pallid membranes enveloping the former L Corp. Branch. „I'm just after a fish that got away.“

„Ha… ha ha… 'Course you are… I'm sure there's no need for me to remind you that the Middle never forgets.“

„Feel free to write me down in the remaining margins of that nasty little book, if you wish.“ The Elder replied, tugging the harpoon lodged in Ricardo´s shoulder.

„Hngh…“

With a disgusting wet crunch, his shoulder gave in and the harpoon was dislodged… while still very much attached to a bug chunk of his shoulder.

„Those that do not bend… break.“

Well, that was certainly a thing to say in front of someone who was just minutes ago bending all over the place.

„Not bad. Would you like to give it another try?“

I quietly wondered if all Colors were naturally so good at shit-eating grins to accompany their badass one-liners or if that was something they were bestowed with when getting the title of a Color.

„…Fine, fine! I'll leave for now. But… don't you forget…“ His still-hungry eyes turned to me. „The Middle remembers. It doesn't matter what happened here; the Middle will remember everyone and everything that dared to turn their back on it.“

Yup, that was definitely ominous as fuck. Good thing I didn´t plan to stay in PM verse forever because hot damn, I would not last long… in a fight or otherwise.

„And the Middle always pays its debts. In whichever form…“

At last, his goons carried him away to his own ship. I could finally breathe freely and unknot my shirt to regain at least some of my dignity before Dante brought the rest of the Sinners back. The Elder approached Dante with assured step.

„I'm looking for the fish that consumed this structure. Are you also here to fish?“

Needless to say, I was happy to be back inside Mephistopheles in a dry change of clothes. I was so exhausted I didn´t bother to fully scrub the smell of fish and blood off my body... not that anyone seemed to mind, least of all Fawkes who already smelled like a wet dog.

„This was unexpected of you, Faust. For you of all Sinners to be the one to bring aboard a 'big shot' to our humble abode.“

If I wasn´t so tired I would´ve gone up to Vergilius and whacked him with rolled up newspapers or something… but alas he got lucky. Meursault has discarded the last newspapers after reading through it and finding nothing worth reading a second time.

„Tsk, do you have any idea how many times that prick killed us? The least you could do is-“

„Yes… that reminds me. I'll have to re-open my personal consultation hours for a certain kleptomaniac among us.“

On a second thought, maybe Vergilius could keep his head unwhacked. I was more angry with Heathcliff. Giving Ricardo a show like that definitely warranted an I.O.U. the size of the Australia.

„According to Alighiero he is indispensable to the completion of this mission… and I am in agreement with that notion as well.“

„And why is that?“

„Because I am the only one who can hunt that Pallid Whale.“ The Elder answered in mine and Faust´s stead.

„…Of course you are. The Indigo Elder.“

Don was happily swaying back and forth in her seat, unbothered by the quiet distaste Vergilius held towards the Indigo Elder.

„I heard that you were wandering the Great Lake to hunt its Whales. And last I heard, you hunted one of the five Calamities, the All-impaling Marlin Whale.“

„… Hrm.“ The old man grunted. It was neither a confirmation nor a denial, but that was probably just what he was like.

„The information we are privy to suggests that the Golden Bough was devoured by the Pallid Whale of the Five Calamities, normally observed in the Outskirts.“ Faust said calmly.

„...Hm. Of course. That's how these things always tend to flow.“ Vergilius rolled his tired eyes in a way that made me question why he wasn´t up in the kitchen brewing himself a cup of coffee or something.

„We've wasted much time, so I'll be blunt. I wish to hunt the Pallid Whale.“ The Elder said at last.

„Yes. And time's all we have.“ Vergilius nodded his head in agreement.

„Moreover, we know where the Whale is headed. And I am certain that you have spent a significant amount of time observing and learning that Whale to hunt it.“

The Indigo Elder simply nodded to Faust´s keen observation.

„I've got a plan.“ Ishmael suddenly said. „And I'll do anything to make it work. Even if you want me there only as bait. And this is how we'll do it.“

As Ishmael explained in detail to everyone how she planned to sail into the Whale through its mouth, I started to wonder… Dante didn´t need to breathe. The Sinners could be brought back with relative ease, but me? I was bound to die if we went with that plan, meaning everyone would be destined to die.

From those facts sprung a single, undeniable truth: Ishmael has already decided that I wouldn´t be going with them.

The crowd fell silent when Ishmael finished explaining her plan.

„You're mad. All that thrashing's finally sent you off the deep end.“ Heathcliff shook his head, eyebrows raised.

Ishmael frowned, not even looking at him. „I'm just going there for my mission. And the Golden Bough just happens to be in the same direction. I'll leave it up to you…“

She briefly paused then shook her head. „Well, to the manager, since their decision matters the most. This Company, me… We're both just trying to find a way to reach our goals. That's all this is.“

I pondered if that really was true. Sure, I did end up saving or at least trying to save the people who happened to be on the chopping block. But the line between doing it for solely my benefit and doing it because it was the right thing to do… was becoming blurrier and blurrier each day. Then there were the people I didn´t even bother trying to save… not that Faust could warn the Before Team about the Pallid Whale or Middle´s involvement even if I told her… but I was the one who made the decision not to tell her.

As if I had the right to decide who lives and who does not.

„Besides, does anyone have a better idea?“ She looked at me briefly. I shook my head after returning her look.

„No. Can't agree to that. We're making a mistake by even entertaining that barmy idea.“ Heathcliff protested, but it was pointless. The decision was already made.

„I must ask you one last thing.“ Indigo Elder turned to Vergilius. „Will you join us to fish, Red?“

Vergilius blinked at the Elder slowly. „I'm not experienced or particularly skilled at hunting marine life… and I have other, more important concerns that prevent me from joining. So, no. Unless the worst comes to pass, I will not take part.“

He didn´t have to elaborate on what consisted „the worst“ that would make him take part in the hunt. Everyone had a pretty good idea what he meant.

The old man rose from his seat and walked off as though he was about to leave.

„Wait… Wait a moment.“ Outis hurried after the Elder who was walking outside at a leisurely pace. „We don't need the guide. With a proper plan, we are more than capable of completing this mission. To give up so quickly is-“

„I never said I am.“ He replied, making me smile. „This loud, screaming ship won't do in our hunt for the Pallid Whale.“

„Screaming? I didn't think Mephistopheles was that loud.“ Dante protested, but given their clock-for-a-head thing, the Elder didn´t hear their complaint that nobody bothered to translate.

„To hunt it, the boat must remain near and covert. A narrow and sturdy boat is what we need.“

„Huh? So all you needed to hear was that Vergilius wasn't going to help out? Why?“ Gregor questioned, thoroughly confused. He was promptly joined by Rodion.

„Right? This could go much smoother if Vergie was with us.“

Meanwhile, Faust ignored them both, talking to the Elder directly. „We can prepare a boat that fits your specifications, should you request it.“

„That's all right. I'll sail on my own skiff.“ He replied, waving her off.

„That old dinghy? That Whale could split it in two with a light wag of its tail.“

„No. That skiff… It may not look like much, but it is extremely durable.“ Outis explained to Heathcliff who knew about boats and ships about as much as I understood how planes worked.

„I see that X Corp.'s alloys have been used in its construction. That could not have been an easy ingredient to come by.“ Yi Sang commented, visibly impressed by the craftsmanship.

„Ooh… another benefit of having a Color bestowed upon thee, then?! I have heard tale of-“ Don Quixote almost launched a lengthy story, but a single displeased look from the Elder was luckily enough to make her reconsider.

Seeing that there wasn´t anything of consequence I could help the crew with, I stood up, having decided to hide away in the confines of my room. Fawkes cocked his head in confusion at first, quite comfortable lying down under my seat. All the same, as I made way to the back of the bus, he dutifully followed in my steps.

„Alighiero, where are you going?“ I stopped and turned around to face Dante. The Sinners were already leaving.

„To my room. It´s not like I am part of the plan.“ Trying to at least put on a front of not caring about it at all.

„What do you mean you´re not part of the plan? Nobody said that.“

I rolled my eyes. „Dante, I am not a fish. I don´t have gills to breathe underwater... and you can´t turn the clock for me. If I drowned in the Whale everyone else including you would die. Least I can do is not get in the way of fishing.“

„But…“

„You should also get used to not having me around to inform your every decision. I am just a temporary employee, after all.“

They didn´t bother to further dig into the matter. Neither did Vergilius who silently stood by, watching the exchange.

„Alright. Go rest up. We´ll… we´ll talk when we get back.“

I nodded and continued into my room without further distractions. I rested my spear against the wall and plopped onto my bed. Fawkes, smart as he was, hopped in as well, with his big head right over my stomach.

„Yeah buddy… it´s really one of those days… at least we get to rest while everyone else is… busy with the other stuff...“ I mindlessly scratched him behind his ears as he snuggled up closer. As it were, my exhaustion was greater than I anticipated and I was soon fast asleep.

Chapter Text

D ante´s POV

I saw Ishmael, moments before boarding the skiff swaying next to Mephistopheles. It was her plan, but… I had no way of knowing what she was really thinking.

I had an inkling, yes. And so far, I've been going along with those vague guesses. Vague guesses that led to disasters half of the time and the other half we narrowly avoided thanks to Alighiero. Only one starkly distinct situation burned into my mind, the encounter with the Big Brother of the Middle, remained uncontested.

I hoped I would soon forget what happened there, but part of me subconsciously knew that would not come to pass for whatever reason. Maybe it was the mechanical nature of my head… or maybe just my own paranoia.

Instead of lengthy ruminations, I went to speak with Ishmael. Since the journey has begun, I´ve neglected talking to her, relying on Alighiero to temper her most erratic behaviors. I´ve since come to the conclusion that I was being far too negligent.

„Ishmael. What do you really want?“

„What I really want…“ She gazed into the watery depths below. As a vision came upon me.

She was lifting a body from the waters. A body that torn to pieces. Shattered bones, strips of muscle tissue, flesh… Ishmael trembled with elation before what looked like the Captain's mutilated corpse.

„Ishmael, you-“

„What?“ She blinked at me and the vision disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

„Come on, let's get going.“

We rowed toward the gray Lake as we previously discussed with the Indigo Elder. He took a different route as we were to arrive at separate destinations for our plan.

„Something's floating over there.“ I pointed at a pale spot seemingly floating at the surface of murky grey water. Just as we crossed the threshold, numerous such things jutted out just above the water´s surface.

„Are those… Islands? There's a lot of them.“ Sinclair informed us, uneasy in his seat.

„They may be reefs. Perhaps that is this Lake's challenge…“ Outis mused. „...to navigate it while avoiding them to the best of our abilities.“

„Well, they sure do look rocky. But… They're too big to be called reefs.“

Turning away from Sinclair, I looked at those „reefs“ once again, thoughts stirring in my head. I had a feeling that if Alighiero was with us, they would´ve retorted with an off-hand remark that we were wrong and should steer clear of them… however, they were not around.

Even though their involvement with us was brief, they have made themselves into a reliable advisor and rather pleasant company which I came to miss on the dreary grey waters.

„Do you sense aught, Dante?“ Yi Sang said. „We may attempt to discover a path that does not lead into an area cluttered with such obstacles, yet that would require us to hazard a path unknown. It may lead to this plan's ruin.“

Though his words were a far cry from what I imagined Alighiero would say, he wasn´t wrong. Our paths were seldom calm, even following Alighiero´s advice.

„If you can sense even the most general direction of the Golden Bough, please relay it to me. I can use that to approximate its location.“ Faust interrupted my train of thought. „I can assure you a degree of accuracy, now that we have with us additional data provided by the Indigo Elder.“

„Huh? Why couldn't you have just been our magic compass to begin with, clockhead?“ Heathcliff grumbled.

„They are able to do this only under the peculiar conditions of the Great Lake, which has very few in the way of obstacles.“

Faust immediately began to explain in detail how and why I could do it.

„The urban areas of the City are dense with structures, both high and low, and into the underground. The higher population density also complicates matters. Considering that Dante can detect the Golden Bough only in close proximities, considering that there may be insurmountable obstacles in our way, their sense will not be of much help there.“

It was a cold and detached explanation, befitting Faust´s ways. I found myself sorely missing Alighiero´s input. While they sometimes lacked the same level of clarity, their down-to-earth nature was comforting even in the most dire of situations. Almost as if they spoke out on behalf of feelings I could not express myself.

Heathcliff muttered something under his breath in annoyance, but otherwise settled down.

„So that's why… that's why I can faintly feel the Golden Bough here, even when it is still far away…“ I raised my finger and pointed toward the general direction of that vague feeling.

„Confirmed. We will turn the ship around in that direction.“

Ishmael wordlessly steered the ship according to Faust's words. We grew ever nearer to an island… or a reef… a heavy silence descended upon the Sinners...

„Oh.“ …until Ishmael gasped with a sudden realization. „It's this Lake.“ There was an incomprehensible look on her face.

Maybe I saw her unrestrained joy. The joy of finding something she's been searching for so long. That overwhelming, all-consuming happiness made her facial muscles twitch on their own.

Or maybe I saw extreme fear. The fear in the face of destined, unavoidable horror. The Lake's splashing waves hit her trembling face and rolled down her cheeks.

Or, maybe, she was sweating from dread. I simply could not tell.

„Ishmael, do you have any new information to share with us?“ Faust asked her insistently.

„…Yeah. Here… I know what to do from here. I know exactly what to do.“ She said with confidence. „Outis, I can't clearly see what's in front of us from back here. Tell me precisely what you see. Their numbers, their sizes, all of it.“

Outis nodded emphatically and rose from her seat to look ahead. „Trying to avoid the wild currents and find a safe path around these rocks? Understood.“

Even as the ship swayed, she kept her balance.

„About 350 meters ahead. Minuscule, plain patterned, glistening rock. About 500 meters ahead of that is a medium-sized rock. It has a bump on top of it that stands out.“

„Continue.“

„Hm. And not so far ahead from there is a large island with a rough, porous surface… Oh, upon closer inspection, it's like an archipelago of three… four similar islands.“

„Good.“

The two women communicated as if they have always been part of one crew. A small, flickering ember of pride grew somewhere in my chest.
Ishmael began fiddling with the steering gear and the engine's output levers as though something had clicked in her mind.

„…Good. We've made it past the first rock.“ Outis nodded, her eyes never straying from the rocks ahead.

„Its texture was a bit… different from that of a normal rock, wasn't it?“ I heard Hong Lu comment as we passed said rock.

„G.E. That's not the texture of a rock. Or even soil.“ Ryoshu nodded. I could see that her hand twitched around the handle of her blade.

„We just passed the second one.“ Outis called from the front.

„Oi, what's so weird about the texture? I can't see over the big boy and the long one.“ Heathcliff shifted around uncomfortably.

„Hmph. That there… is a living, breathing thing.“ Ryoshu nodded towards the rock right in front of us.

„What?“

Heathcliff´s panic was palpable.

„…Wait“ In addition to Heathcliff, Outis was also on edge all of sudden. „Swabbie! Watch where you're steering this ship! We're going to crash into that third rock at this rate!“

Ishmael was smiling, not altering the course in the slightest. „And that's what I'm going to do, Outis. That's where we get off.“

„That rock? That creepy, porous rock over there?“ Heathcliff yelled. „Oi, feel free to crash into a rock on your free time, but don't take all of us with you! There's not even a single tree up there, let alone a person. What the bloody hell are we anchoring there for?“

Exasperated sigh marked her reply. „You gotta screw your head on in a different direction in the Great Lake, Heathcliff.“

„What are you talking abou-“

A loud shock and an ear-splitting sound of the skiff scratching and sliding against something cut Heathcliff off.

„Do you even know where you're going, woman?!“

Unlike Heathcliff, Ryoshu was thrilled. Laughing, even. „Oh yes, she knows. Huhu.“

„Wait, that white color… Ishmael?“ Sinclair shook her shoulder as his own face grew paler.

„Yeah. Those aren't islands or rocks.“ She said.

What we thought were islands suddenly rumbled, vibrating, as ground tremors from an earthquake.

„They're… all part of a Whale.“ A colossal creature shuddered as it woke from a long slumber.

„Right… I get it. I get it now.“ Heathcliff said, unconvincingly. „All of these 'rocks' were actually Whales. And I get that Mermaids pop out of those pores.“

Most confoundingly, he continued. „But I think it's a loony thing that… Why are we even drawing their ire, huh? We could've just gone around them! What, are you looking to let off some steam? Hankerin' for a game of whack-a-mole all of a sudden? Is that it?“

Ishmael endured his verbal smack-arounds, surprisingly calm and not as annoyed as I thought she would be.

„Of course not. This is just the only method I know.“

„You better be ready to explain what you're talking about.“ Heathcliff, furious… wasn't the only Sinner looking at Ishmael, expecting an explanation.

„Ishmael…“ Naturally, I was among those who wanted answers.

„Haah… I also didn't think I'd actually be doing this…“ She wiped water droplets from her forehead before she spoke. „Well… so there's this legend-like tale-“

„Legend?“

Sinclair´s brief interruption hardly made her pause.

„Each Lake of the Great Lake has its own culture, with many wandering and choosing to call those places their homes. So, naturally, there are as many tales as there are Lakes. But there's that one tale of a certain Lake that is passed down orally from sailor to sailor. Just like the legends of old… the legend of the 'Gloomy Grey Lake of Wafting and Rumbling'. Sailors sang the legend of that Lake, passing it down for years upon years:

Doom, and hew thy veiled path to misty seas.

Begloom, and let Whales draw their pearls in search of pallid hue.

Toom, shall be thy mist-path, heeding the weeping Whales.“

She finished, but it was scarcely enough information for some of us.

„Whatever does that mean?“ Don Quixote asked with twinkling eyes.

„It's simple. Hit the Porous Whales to wake them, draw out and hunt their Mermaids, and the path to the Pallid Whale should clear of the mist.“

Heathcliff, though calmer, remained unconvinced. „Do you really believe that? You expect us to just… believe that hogwash? Blimey, didn't think I'd ever get to say these words before my deathbed, but…“

„Are you stupid?“

I recalled Alighiero mentioning that Heathcliff, as stupid as me may have seemed at times, wasn´t. It didn´t make his words any less amusing to others, though. Especially not Rodya who let out a little snort as she covered her mouth to not laugh.

„Haah… Listen. What does waking these Whales up have anything to do with getting rid of that thick fog? It's got to make even a little bit of sense, no?“

„Heathcliff discusses the correlation between actions and consequences. This truly is a rare experience indeed.“ Faust smiled.

„Shut up, smartarse… I'm serious.“

„And you think the law that sends Waves after us if we don't cross the borders at the exact right moment makes sense?“ Ishmael asked him. „You think the law that makes us go in circles before reaching our destination, the law that doesn't let us go back the way we came from, makes any sense?

She sighe d.

„I've been telling you this whole time. Common sense has no place in the Great Lake. That's just the way this place works, okay? Just… You just have to accept that.“

Though still opposing her, Heathcliff´s expression changed, as if the very essence of his world molded into the new, only slightly differing shape. „… Fine. I'll give you that. But they're like the laws of the City. As outlandish as they are, they're still strict laws that can be calculated into those variable coordinates or whatnot. What you're blathering here is some vague old song. Am I supposed to believe something so absurd?“

„Yes.“ Ishmael nodded, looking ahead, into the thick mist that surrounded us. „Because I've seen it myself.“

In the growing silence, Ishmael continued. „Years ago, when a young, stupid, but motivated sailor boarded the ship, she had the most unfortunate opportunity of witnessing this very legend with her own eyes… because that's how she saw the Pallid Whale.“

Heathcliff fell silent, scratching his head. The rest of the Sinners also nodded and began whispering.

„I really don't like you…“

„Took the words right out of my mouth.“ Ishmael rolled her eyes at him, but there was no anger left in them.

Heathcliff shook his head. „I don't like… any of this. But I know that you're not the kind of lass to lie or tell tall tales just to get the upper hand in a petty squabble.“

He sighed, relenting, which surprised everyone aboard, but most of all Ishmael herself. „Fine, let's go all the way to the end. I'll keep whacking those mole-like things with this club.“

Clearing her throat, Outis also joined Heathcliff in that strange, off-hand apology. „I can also accept your explanation. But… from now on, I would appreciate it if you could share your knowledge with us first before doing anything.“

To my surprise, Ishmael smiled. „I'll try.“

Her words echoed in my mechanical head, repeating the tune so familiar it hurt, just a little.

We made quick, or rather, as quick as we could, work of the Mermaids. Then, as if by some invisible hand, the curtain of fog began to part.

„Truly, the ocean mist is splitting as though a blade has hewn it in half.“ Yi Sang breathed out, confounded by the strange sight.

„Haah… Finally.“ Ishmael said as she turned our ship into waters of the Lake dark as starless night.

Alighiero ´s POV

I woke up, jostled by a pair of limbs that were too small to belong to Vergilius and not rough or hairy enough to be Fawkes´ paws. It was dark, pitch black and the entire place swayed madly in a thundering noise.

„Wake up...!“ Charon paused, as if unsure for a moment what to call me. „Verg says you have to get up, now!“

Her insistence and surprisingly strong hold onto my arm dragged me out of the bed. I barely had the time to grab my spear before she pulled me out of the room and towards the front of the busboat. There I heard Fawkes who was hiding under my seat, whimpering. Just as we got there, the door to the unusually dark Corridor shut close with a slam. Only light in the front happened to be the flashes of lightning from outside, the only sounds the violent raging beyond Mephistopheles´ confines.

„Charon, where´s Vergilius?“ I asked, looking around for the Color Fixer who was nowhere to be seen. That was when a figure, heaving and soaked to the bone, entered the busboat´s main room and sank into his seat. I could barely make out the shape of him. However, his red eyes have answered any concern about safety I might have had.

„Ah… you´ve made it… good.“ He breathed quickly even as he tried in vain to slow his raspy breathing down. He brushed wet clump of hair away from his eyes.

„...Care to explain what´s going on or am I supposed to guess?“ I scratched along the metal around my neck. I loathed the fact that I forgot to take it off, but somehow that little oversight worked out in my favor as I was able to speak with Vergilius, even if it came at the price of soreness.

„The Waves…“ He said cryptically, pointing to the maelstrom raging outside. „I´ve dealt with the Whale of this Lake and its Mermaids, however... Mephistopheles can only support this very space… with utmost certainty.“ He slowly said as he regained his breath. „The Corridor, however, is built to protect itself, first and foremost… even at the cost of devouring its inhabitants.“

I tried to not think of the dark end of the Corridor that nearly swallowed Heathcliff whole not that long ago.

„Good thing Charon got me out of there, then… but why was Fawkes here? He fell asleep on my stomach last I remember.“

„He was hungry…“ Vergilius smiled, a bit wider than I´ve seen him smile before, almost like a child caught doing something he should not have been doing.

„Of course...“ The lights kicked on finally, giving way to a warm light across the red velvet seats.

I noticed a very concerning detail about the world outside.

It wasn´t just dark. It was as if someone had painted every window with Vantablack. There were no water droplets on the glass either, just boundless dark. It was so complete I could´ve sworn that even the glass of the windows was gone. In reaction to it, I gripped the spear tighter, moving further away from the windows as I whipped my head around, expecting something to crawl inside at any moment.

Vergilius noticed it too, standing up and moving closer to me, Charon and Fawkes. The busboat grew so quiet, we could hear even the tiniest creak of the floorboards and the rhythmic hum of the engine underneath.

Then the disembodied whispers came from the ever-present darkness.

Along the shore where cloud waves break,

the bear claws sink behind the Lake,

the shadows darken

In Kokytos.

The speech was slow as the voice rose and fell, not unlike the push and pull of the waves below the ship. I looked to Vergilius. „Do you hear that, too?“ I whispered, not much louder than the cold voice. He nodded, red eyes shining into the ink-black depths beyond the windows.

„Charon hears it, too.“ She quietly replied. Though she didn´t cling in fear to me or Vergilius, she did move close enough that we stood back to back. And the voice continued.

Strange is the day when black stars rise,

strange is the night with pallid skies,

but stranger still is

Cold Kokytos.

The words grew louder, gradually, so muuch so that I barely noticed that by the third stanza, I could not hear Vergilius speak, I just saw his lips, moving in shapes I couldn´t recognize.

Beneath the trees where silence grows,

the crowned beast treads where no light shows,

weak whimpers drowns out

Deep Kokytos.

However, I could see him point at the spot by the helm and I could see him draw his sword against the evergrowing mass of tendrils made of black… something… between smoke and water. The substance has not once stilled as it molded into a vaguely humanoid shape – the shape of a child. Then, the blackness split in several places, top to bottom, like a weird, creepy flower, revealing none other than the familiar shadowy figure of a child. His lips weren´t moving, so it was immediately obvious he was not the one who spoke. Further evidence of that were tears of molten gold sliding own his cheeks from the hollows in which a pair of pale eyes shined before.

On path unseen when one may see,

what bound once was now flutters free

its throne mere ruin

In Kokytos.

„Why do you want such stupid things… why must you… why… why...WHY… WHY!!!!!“

The boy was turne d to me an d starte d wailing uncontrollably. Even though I intrinsically knew that I shoul d keep away… I felt as if it was my responsibility to comfort him. To hol d him an d wipe the gol d- streake d cheeks with my sleeve.

Instead I just put hand on the one that held Vergilius´ blade, lowering it. I could see the distrust in his eyes, but I stood my ground. „He will not harm us… I think.“ Then, I turned to the child before us.

„WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GROW UP?!“ He cried with hollow eyes. „Now you have a heart that WANTS and WANTS and WANTS… always just MORE, MORE, MORE…“

The d arkness outsi d e seeme d to move, ten d rils creeping in through the cracks between win d ow panes an d the frame of Mephistopheles. However, the boy walke d up to them, pushing them outsi d e one by one as he sniffle d .

„...but you are my only friend and what you want must be what I want, too… so I will grant your wish… because if I don´t, the Wishmaker will...and they will twist you all wrong-like!“

He outstretched little hand for me to take. Though I stepped forward, Vergilius stopped me.

„I cannot allow this…“

Smaller hand stayed his that time. Charon looked at the boy with curiosity as she cocked her head from side to side.

„Let go, Verg.“ She said to him, standing as tall as she could. „The Boy reminds Charon of someone.“

Vergilius let go of my hand near immediately, crimson eyes turned to the floor. „Alighiero… be careful, at least.“

I nodded, before turning towards the Shadow Child. I held my spear tightly despite trying to keep a cool head. „Wishmaker? Who is that?“

The abnormality pointed outside. „The Monster that lurks in the dark… the Master of the Pallid Veil.“

„Pallid Whale?“ I asked cautiously.

The Shadow Child picked his nose. „I don´t think there is a difference.“

I looked back to Vergilius. Apparently he too was clueless because there was no apparent recognition of any „pallid veil“ or its master.

I probably should´ve been more worried about that.

„You said you´d grant my wish… but I made no wish.“

„That´s not how it works.“ The Shadow Child giggled shortly before leaning closer to whisper. „It´s the Wishmaker who makes wishes made with words real… because words can be turned around. But the heart can´t lie, even after you grow up.“

„Alright…“ I sighed, grip on the spear unwavering. „Let´s say I agree to let you grant my wish… will the… Monster in the dark… leave this ship alone?“

„Hmm…“ He thought for only a moment longer than a second. „Yes, they will. Their wishes were taken on by someone else already.“ He pointed at Vergilius and Charon who didn´t look all too happy about that revelation.

The busboat began to shake violently right after that, jostling us all around – except for the Shadow Child who floated in the spot where he stood, unmoving.

„Take my hand… only then I can fulfill our wish.“

I d i d n´t have time to think much about the repercussions of my suppose d „ wish “ or its fulfillment. I d i d n´t want whatever was outsi d e to hurt Vergilius an d Charon. Another thing entirely was the silent hope that accepting the Chil d ´s offer woul d magically take me home, back to where I belonge d.

Before I realized the error of my judgement, the Child´s torso split open like a vertical mouth. Filled with teeth and black shadowy tendrils which poured out from an incomprehensible swirl of colors, shapes and sounds. They pulled me into the gaping maw before even Vergilius could react, swallowing me whole along with my spear. By the time Vergilius´ yell reached my ears the gap of the maw was a distant memory.

My surroundings did change, but instead of a messy room with stagnant, musty dry air, I was inside of a slimy, wet and way too squishy tunnel. It smelled of fish and rot.

I could only hope that it was the right Whale.

In the darkness of the space, there was no way to tell where I should be headed. I didn´t exactly have a built in Golden Bough Navigation system like Dante, I had nothing usable as a light source and there was no sign of any man-made sound.

At least not until I saw a distant, swaying light that creaked softly as the figure that carried it shambled forward.

Like a moth drawn to the flame, I decided to follow that very same light.

„Who… goes there?“ A distinct, but quite young-sounding voice was what I heard.

As I went to answer the call, however, a much louder and nearer sound came from behind me. A shriek of a Mermaid that caused me to freeze. Only after a harpoon whizzed by my ear and tore through its head did I actually lunged at the beast, finishing it off.

„Nice catch… must be… worth... two coins… at least.“ A gruff, burly figure said. Half of his face was covered in thick, white membrane. He was quite lucky to still be able to speak, as it crept over his mustache and beard already. He held the lantern over my face and nodded. „Name…“

„Alighiero… or call me Ali, that´s probably easier for you.“

„Not… pallid. Not at… all.“ Another sailor regarded me with suspicious eyes. Their braided hair reached past their waist easily.

„Ali… we´re bringing you… to our Captain.“ The owner of the young voice said. I couldn´t make much of them in the dim light of the lantern, but I figured that it must´ve been Pip.

„Fine by me… beats getting torn apart by mermaids.“ I shuddered looking into the darkness. More shambling was coming from the depths, no doubt Mermaids attracted to the stray source of light in the endless dark.

„Acid, too… don´t… forget…“ The burly man pushing my ahead laughed. „...typical… land-lubber.“ He added mockingly. I didn´t bother correcting him. I couldn´t really call myself a sailor.

Dante´s POV

Before we knew it, we were evading tails of massive sleeping Whales in the obsidian-dark waters of the Lake we entered.

„WOAAAAAAHHHHH! OVER YONDER, I-IS THAT THE WHALE?!“

We didn't have to wonder even for a second about what Don Quixote was screaming at. An entire herd of entities, each dwarfing every single Whale we've weathered throughout the journey, emerged from the waters all at once. In unison, they began migrating in a singular direction. To witness something like that was enough to make even Meursault gape with plain bewilderment.

„Looks like things are going according to plan.“ Faust commented against the maelstrom unfolding all around us.

„Then we'll have to do our part.“ Outis reminded us all, as if there was even the slightest chance anyone on the skiff would forget our mission.

„Ah! There, there!“ Ishmael pointed in the direction of a beast that dwarfed the rest of ineffably immense Whales. It was wearing the pallor of death itself… Its hide, thick and heavily scarred. „Ha, ha ha ha… I've found it!“ She called, looking at it with untethered glee. „Yes… He was right. The wounds, the scars that we… the Pequod made… they're all still there.“

A muffled scratchy sound of a hand-held radio alerted us all.

„I assume that you have finally located the Whale?“ Vergilius spoke through the radio, which was to be expected, that was part of the plan, but… he sounded off. Terrified? Winded? I couldn´t quite put a finger on it.

„I believe so, yes. Has something come up, Vergilius?“ Faust yelled into the receiver, trying to overcome the screaming waves around us.

„Is Dante… feeling alright?“ He asked, making me feel quite strange. He´s not expressed concern so outwardly, let alone for me.

„I feel fine. What happened?“

„Dante is not affected. What happened, Vergilius?“

Silence was our only answer.

„We´ve lost contact it seems.“ Faust relayed. Her voice was quickly drowned out by Ishmael´s thundering call that rivaled the storm itself.

„OARSMEN!!!!!!!“

„Ishmael?“ I asked, but it was a fruitless effort to talk to her. Not only has her voice rivaled the storm, it was even louder than the thunder itself. As though her personality had suddenly shifted.

„ANSWERS, YOU DOGS!!!!! OARSMEN!!!!“

„Huh?! A-aye!“ Heathcliff yelled back unconvincingly.

„Set route to that pallid thing! FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!! ROW!“

„Full speed ahead! Row!“ Outis echoed, swept up in this sudden turn of events, repeating after Ishmael's bellowing commands. Is this what Ishmael was like when she sailed the Lakes? Or was that roaring beast the Captain?

„I see light ahead. … It's the Indigo Elder.“ Faust informed us from the prow.

The old man and his skiff were sliding across the waters toward the Whale.

„Listen well!“ He called. „The rest of the awakened Whales have gone after the bait I've laid for them!

„Then the plan worked! Now… Ah!“ We all stilled as a pale eyelid over its hateful, black eye lifted. At first I thought that a gash so large must´ve been an old injury, caused by a weapon, but no… it was its eye, enormous enough to swallow our vessel countless times over.

„It's been so long since I've witnessed anything like this up close.“ Outis breathed out, half in terror, half in awe.

That eye no longer resembled an eye—but a reflective mirror of the world in which we could observe ourselves.

„Oh, how I wished to see you eye-to-eye.“ The Elder held harpoon in his hand as he drew ever closer to the whale with a grim, stony expression. Ishmael also aimed her harpoon at the great Whale, her face nearly tearing with uncontainable joy. Some Sinners trembled with fear, while others prepared themselves.

All of it, the world… was contained in that single reflective eye that stretched even beyond our peripheral visions.

„Now here's your bait, fish. Bite on it.“ Indigo Elder spoke to it as he prepared a shot. „I know you have no other choice. Biting, devouring's all you've ever known.“

„OARSMEN!!!!! SPLIT THE SEA WITH YOUR OARS!!!!!“

„I respect you, Pallid Whale. I respect that you have lived years in numbers that I cannot even begin to imagine. I respect that you hail from a place beyond my ken. But… I will take this chance to stand before you, to challenge you. And with this challenge, to the edge of understanding I will row.“

The giant harpoon soared across the black sky like a bolt of levin and still was only able to graze the body of the Pallid Whale.

„Now is our chance! Row on, row on!“ I heard Outis call, but I kept my eyes on Ishmael

She rose, tall and alone, looking straight out beyond the speeding boat's swaying bow, harpoon in her hand.

„I've been thinking… ever since then… about what feelings you might dig up from my heart if I saw you again… Ha… But this feeling is much more straightforward than I expected.

„Nice meeting you again, you FUCKING WHALE!“ She yelled as he hurled the harpoon straight into its glossy eyeball. Compared to the old man's harpoon, the harpoon Ishmael hurled was like a needle, but once struck, the Pallid Whale's maw opened – and the air itself began to vibrate.

„Go. I will now fish this beast.“ The Elder beckoned us.

Every Sinner heard the old man's voice.
Every Sinner begins rowing with all their might.
In desperation. As though death itself was in our pursuit.
As though it was our fate, our destiny to row.

We were sucked into an endless abyss that was the maw of that beastly Whale.

There was a deep noise. Then, like a droplet in sea, we melted into the fathomless dark.

It is said that Queequeg's ropes, twisted by her powerful grip and her esoteric techniques are tougher than any other rope in the world.

Queequeg told me to not leave her alone in the cold, dark Lake.

That she didn't want the Whales and Mermaids to tear her apart and devour her when her corpse sinks deep into its waters.

I agreed.

The wounds on her skin that only I knew of… the memories of her pain… I didn't want those monsters to heartlessly rip into them, to gorge themselves with her scarred flesh.

So, Queequeg built herself a coffin.

Built hardily and fastened with ropes twisted and knotted with all her strength. So that her coffin would not sink no matter how precariously the ship swayed.

The immediate sensation upon waking up was that it was moist and cold, yet oddly warm in some places.

„Where… are we?“ I asked as I got up, looking around. Couple Sinners needed to be rewound due to drowning, but surprisingly, most of them were not at all injured.

„Mm… There's this long river-like thing. If we follow it, maybe… there'll be something at the end of it?“ Hong Lu proposed, pointing to a fleshy tunnel ahead. We were lucky that my head was literally made of inextinguishable fire, providing just enough light so that we could see.

„Hong Lu… How can you always be so calm about everything?“ Sinclair raised an eyebrow at his reaction – or rather lack of it, for the better or worse.

„Is he? I think that's just how that fella is with pretty much everything.“ Gregor shrugged.

„No… That's not what I'm…“ Sinclair shook his head. „I mean, where do you guys think this is? We just…“

„I am well aware. We rowed into the maws of the beast. Of our own volition.“ Outis brushed off as she got up to her feet.

„Indeed. The lack of plan becomes the plan itself. This solidifies the veracity of my new theory even further.“ Faust nodded to herself, for the most part.

Luckily, we didn't lose any Sinners on the way down. All 12 of them made it, just as we planned. But…

„Guys, where's – where's the boat?“

The boat was nowhere to be seen.

„Men! We will commence a search. This boat must be found as soon as possible.“ Outis commanded immediately, with mixed results.

„There is no need for a search. 400 meters to your right. There is the boat-“

„Quite observant you are, Meursault. Let's not waste any time and return to the boat.“

„Allow me to finish. There is the boat in a ditch. 75% of its hull integrity has been breached and its remains are scattered on the ground.“

It was as he said. Our vessel was basically a pile of rubble.

„Wow, so this was a piece of our boat, huh?“ Hong Lu picked up a piece of a plank. It looked like part of one of the seats.

„That vessel was designed to be used more than two times…“ Faust said, sadness visible in her eyes.

Yi Sang joined Faust in mourning our vessel. „Thus it rests here forevermore… This would have been quite the painful sight for Mika and Rain.“

„This is a pretty painful sight for us, too… I guess this is why Alighiero said that we needed the assistance of the Indigo Elder.“

Amidst the worries about the lack of a sailable ship, Ishmael approached me. „Manager. You can still sense the Golden Bough, right?“

„Yeah. Unlike at the Lobotomy Corp. Branch, I can definitely feel that it's somewhere 'in here'. But it's also pretty far away, so I can't tell where it exactly-“

„Great. Are you ready to turn the clock?“

„What's that about turning the clock?“ She asked. At first I didn´t understand, I could not see the membranes consuming any of the Sinners, but...

„Ohh…“

Mermaids have crawled in from the depths, hungry and screeching. So we have dealt with them to the best of our ability.

„Haah… let's bounce before more of those Mermaids show up.“ Gregor wiped sweat off his brow when the last of them stopped moving.

„Bounce where…? We're trapped inside a Whale.“ Sinclair pointed out.

I wasn't sure if I could bring back a Sinner that's turned into a Mermaid. The Golden Bough seemed to have been counteracting the effects of Pallidification, but there were no guarantees it would work indefinitely.

We needed to move. Preferably quickly.

„But… Where do we even go? I don't have even the slightest idea as to where we might be…“ I pondered. Hong Lu´s voice pulled me out of my brief ruminations, however.

„Weird… I didn't know it could rain inside a Whale's belly.“

„What are you talking about?“

„Oh, it's just that I felt a few droplets of water on my shoulder.“

Heathcliff seemed to have caught on a bit quicker than the rest. „Wait… So this is the first place we landed on after the Whale swallowed us whole, innit?“

„Right…“ I nodded, waiting for him to gather his thoughts.

„Sorry, I just sometimes need someone to confirm my common senses. When you eat something… where does it usually land first?“

„My stomach, of course. My poor, starving stomach…“ Rodion laughed, but as the realization made its way into her mind, the smile froze on her face.

„I see your point, Heathcliff. The stomach constantly secretes acid in order to digest the food effectively.“ Faust quickly nodded.

„Everyone… We gotta run!“ I yelled at them as good half of them was about to argue about the biological makeup of the Whale´s stomach acid. „I don't care how many pieces of you there are left, just make sure that there's something left for me to bring back!“

And so we ran, trying to weave our way between the pouring stomach acid without even knowing where we were supposed to go.

„Wow, man. What a… what a funny sight, eh?“

„Funny? That's more suspicious than funny.“

„You're too loud! Great, now we caught their attention.“

I looked up, and called after the owners of the mysterious voices coming from some kind of a fleshy ledge.

„Who's there?

Only after I posed the question have I realized that, of course, they couldn´t understand me.

„Hey. I heard you guys… talking down there.“ The figure waved. It was encrusted with the white membrane, but despite that, capable of intelligent speech.

„Those Mermaids… speak?“ Yi Sang wondered out loud.

„We're not… Mermaids.“ The other pallidified figure spoke. „Ever seen a Mer…maid this chatty?“

Meursault, too had made a useful observation. „Their Pallidification effects have only partially progressed.“

„Well, we don't got… much time. So I'll make it… short.“ The one on the forefront spoke. „This zone… floods with acid every 10 minutes… or so. Unless you guys are all… made of steel… you better decide fast! Either ta…ke the rope we're about to lower down, or…“

The person unwound a length of reddish rope and threw one end down.

„… become sludgy nutrient… for the Whale and be one with it… forever and ever. Well, even if you were to all turn into sludge, we can still salvage your weapons. We don't got nothing to lose.“

„Some of 'em are already starting to melt.“ The friend(?) or perhaps just a colleague of the leader added.

The Sinners looked at each other only briefly before Heathcliff called out: „ROPE! NOW!“
Then again, it wasn´t as if we had a choice.

They people above us muttered something amongst themselves, as if they found something funny about the situation.

„This rope feels funny.“ Gregor commented as he climbed upwards.

The person on the left snickered. „That rope right… there's made of capillary we pulled straight… from its lungs. It'll last more than… an hour, even in its stomach acid.“

„Greg… Why'd you even ask that…? Eugh, I hate it…“ Rodya winced, but climbed the fleshy length all the same.

„Phew. I don't know who you guys are… But thanks.“ I said as the last of the Sinners climbed onto the ledge.

„Hell yeah, what a catch! We'll net us upwards of 3 gold coins for this.“ Their leader looked at us like we were scavenged treasure. „I think this tick-tocking friend might be worth more than that.“

„A catch? You think you fished us up?“ Ryoshu growled at the person who by all means looked like a man.

„We come here every… once in a while to check if… anyone's washed up, yeah.“ He shrugged. „But most of 'em poor castaways… are already almost full Mermaids by the time we find 'em. In a matter of… minutes, they're all rearing to kill us. And the rest are… just your every-day Mermaids.“

„Haha, so this is a special occasion, then?“ Hong Lu smiled innocently.

„This is probably the first time ever… that we found sailors that could not only… talk, but also weren't halfway turned… into Mermaids.“

„So why do you guys come here every once in a while, then?“ I tried making small talk to the best of my ability. Perhaps a part of me hoped that they would understand… or maybe Alighiero was more than just a little right to say that I´ve started to depend on them. Not even as an advisor… but a companion, someone to talk to who was also just trying to make way through the crazy world around us.

„The clock friend… here keeps tick-tockin'. Are they saying some…thing? Doubt they're a full-on robot.“ The man who walked ahead asked, turning his head around. „Don't most… people prefer to keep the ability to speak even when re…placing their bodies with prosthetics? Guess the trends have re…ally changed since we got here.“

„Uh, so that buddy there… Well, it's a long story. But yeah, they can't communicate normally.“ Gregor thankfully answered in my stead.

„Hm, all… good. Everyone's got a sto…ry they don't want to tell. We can sympathize a little. Talking ain't… the easiest thi…ng to do.“ He said.

„Consider yourselves lucked out, fellas! You guys ran into us, of all things! Cuz we'll be getting out of here real soon!“ The other person said, considerably chipper than their leader.

We followed their confident, guiding steps, but there was no way to look at this situation without a bit of healthy suspicion.

„Where do you think they're taking us? What if they're leading us into a trap?“ I asked Ishmael, since aside from Alighiero, she had the best shot at knowing what we were walking into.

„If they were trying to attack us, they would've done so when we were almost at the top of the cliff. We were completely vulnerable to attacks there.“ She said calmly. „And…“

Ishmael opened her mouth as though she was about to say something, then stopped herself, as if to pause to collect her thoughts about something. „…I'm sure I've seen that harpoon before somewhere…“

Ahead of us, Gregor was chatting with the chipper person who was excited about getting out of the Whale… somehow.

„So what ship a…re you guys from again?

„Um… It's called the… The Limbus. You probably haven't heard of it, yeah…“ Gregor laughed, trying to act cool. For once, it almost looked like it worked.

„Well, talk straight, man! It's not like you're a Mermaid. Who's your Captain? If they're from U Corp, their name just might ring a bell.“

„Um… who's… our Captain again?“ Gregor whispered to me.

„I dunno, guys. I've never taken the helm. Not sure if I can call myself a Captain here.“ I shook my head. Luckily, Don Quixote had answer for everything.

„The helm… Forsooth… If this be all about who handles the wheel… I am quite well aware of our Captain!!! Charon is our Captain, indeed!“

„Aha… nope. Never hea…rd of 'em. I guess it's really been… a while, then…“ The leader scratched his head. 'Captain' Charon clearly didn't ring a bell.

„You… How long has it been since you were trapped in here?“ Ishmael asked the chipper one, making use of his chattiness.

„Eight months.“

The leader, however smacked them over the head. „No, dumbass! This is our third year! Our last count was at 644 days, so…“

„I dunno, la…dy. I quit coun…ting the days a while ago. I've completely lost tra…ck of time since we got stuck deep in…side where the sun don't shine.“

„I see…“ Ishmael nodded along, but her eye caught the length of rope that connected to the harpoon the leading pallidified sailor carried. „I know only one person who ties a knot to their harpoon like that.“

„Oh, this? It's called the Desper…ate's Knot. Even in our town, only the… experienced few knows how to tie it.“

That reply was like an arrow striking through Ishmael. „So… they're here... I… I think I know you.“

Ishmael raised her head, as if to ask them to confirm her assumption, but instead she stopped dead in her tracks. So did our guides… but not because of what she said.

„Here we are! Welcome to Pequod Town. We're back, Cap'n! Look what we fished up!“

Ahead of us stood one-legged woman in green uniform with hair grey as concrete. She had an arm around the shoulders of a shorter and much younger person, looking like they desperately wanted to widen the distance between themselves and the supposed Captain. They waved at us.

„Alighiero?“

Chapter Text

Alighiero´s POV

„Quite the catch indeed! You certainly are an excellent scout, Starbuck!“ Ahab walked closer to the group of Sinners, her arm not leaving the spot around my shoulders, like a reminder of who was in power. I let her believe that lie for the time being. Revealing any piece of the plan I hatched in my head would be quite a disaster.

„Two gold coins for you, lad. And here's one for the twins.“

„Thank you, Cap'n.“ Starbuck saluted at her.

„I was unconvinced at first, I must say… but this greenhorn spoke true. A company of thirteen more…“ Ahab´s eyes flew over the the Sinners before stopping on Ishmael. „...including a member of the old Pequod crew.“

„I knew it…“ Ishmael growled, hand tightening around her harpoon just as I felt Ahab´s hand dig into my shoulder.

„Welcome. I have built this village and watched over these poor, wretched souls. Soon, I shall set sail on the final voyage with my crew.“ She pushed me towards them, in an act that felt oddly motherly, which left a sour taste in my mouth. „I am Captain Ahab.“

„…Ah, Ishmael!“ Dante called after her as I found myself between Gregor and Outis who had very different reactions to my appearance in the Whale, judging by their faces, but that reunion was pushed back thanks to… the more pressing circumstances.

„You have… no idea how I've waited… how I've longed for this moment. You won't ever know...“ Ishmael trembled with barely contained rage, her knuckles white from the force she used to hold her harpoon. „...because I'll gut you like a fish before you even have the chance to find out.“

Ishmael charged at Ahab.

„What a way to greet your Captain, Ishmael.“

But the Captain stood there, unmoving.

„I-Ishmael…?! Wa…it, now that you mention it-“ Starbuck scratched his head, probably just connecting the dots.

The other villagers of Pequod Town were not as considerate.

„You thankless bastards. You dare attack our Cap'n?!“

„We'll show you what we're made of!“

„We'll toss you back into that river of acid!“

In short, a brief altercation was about to commence, which was… well, I guess that did happen in the canon so it wasn´t like something unspeakable was taking place. It was still disconcerting.

„Not a lot of good men left, Ahab.“ Ishmael huffed as she beat up man after man after man… until a literal mountain stood in her way, hurling a huge harpoon her way. Ishmael quickly leaped to the side, evading the strike.

„Who's this now?“ She bared her teeth and tightened the rope around her arm.

The person in front of her stood firm, a pale mask covering her face, aside from a single eye peeking from under it.

„My crew is nothing if not loyal. More so than anyone in the world.“ Ahab boasted, her chest bursting with pride. „And this one here is second to none when it comes to harpooneering.“

I stood frozen in place, but I couldn´t understand why. The harpooner was Queequeg, the very person I set out to save, but… when I looked at the towering, masked figure in front of me, somewhere in the back of my mind the very concept paralyzed me.

„So… do you still fail to see that to attack me here is to court death?“

A hand grabbed the back of my coat and pulled me back. I hardly even noticed that the harpoon was aiming for me. „Blimey, Alighiero, can´t you see the size of that thing? Can´t hope to do much ´bout it with that toothpick of yours, buddy.“

„Don´t ever call me that.“ I snapped at Heathcliff, slapping his hand away with my teeth bared. His eyes widened as he stumbled back, just narrowly rolling out of the way of the harpoon that whizzed past me. „I´m not your buddy, nor your friend, nor partner or anything else of that sort.“

„The Hell?! Look, if you´re still mad about those coupons I-“

His head bas smashed through by the harpoon, blood shooting across my face. I barely flinched.

„Hmm, that one… That one's a real warrior. Huhu…“ Ryoshu laughed somewhere around me, but moved in too fast for me to actually grasp where she was when she said that.

I used my coat´s sleeve to wipe Heathcliff´s blood off my face. There would likely be a residue for the rest of the trip, which I wasn´t happy about. It beat washing my face with the whale stomach acid, though.

„All of you. Strong. But no sailors.“ Queequeg spoke slowly. Ishmael still has not put the pieces together, it seemed, as she was seething and showering her former comrade with clashes, seemingly not getting tired from the activity.

„Why, talk, so, slow? Irritating. If you're not abbreviating with acronyms… then all you're doing is wasting time.“ Ryoshu scoffed. Before I could retort with anything, Ishmael nicked Queequeg´s mask. Cracks formed in the pale cover, once again drawing my mind away from the scene before me. At once I saw the past.

Towering figure in the pale mask… or was it just the mask itself? No, there was flowing, tattered fabric attached to it, shimmering gold, though tattered, with edges burnt black. The mask was cracked, with dark tendrils snaking out through the very cracks. Set in the mask was a pair of dark, endless pits for eyes.

Mouthless, it beckoned: „Come, child. Let me hear your wish“

I blinke d until the image d isappeare d . Ishmael threw her arms aroun d Queequeg, hugging her tightly.

„Wasn't she saying something about bashing her face in just moments ago?“ Rodion raised an eyebrow at the scene in confusion.

„This embrace is what one does when meeting an old fellow. You fear they may flutter away unless you hold them tightly so.“ Yi Sang whispered to her. „Let her have the moment.“

„Your hair color. Can't forget...Your name. I know.“ Queeueg smiled for just a moment before her face grew serious. „But no attacking Captain.“

„Why…? I'm just…“ Ishmael stumbled over her words, torn between desire to tear Ahab apart right there and rejoicing at meeting Queequeg again.

„You attack Captain again, I attack you. Then kill or be killed. One of us.“

The awkward silence that followed was unsurprisingly, shattered by Ahab.

„Well now, whatever shall you do? Starbuck here has, out of the kindness of his heart, rescued you from jaws of death. Invited you to my village! Pip´s even saved your wandering temporary hire as they were about to be torn into pieces by a mermaid.“

„Technically speaking, that wasn´t-“ I tried to speak up.

But Ahab was having exactly none of it. She looked at me with a smile. „Are you saying that Pip lied to me? That he has not thrown the harpoon that found its home in the mermaid´s heart?“

„No, but-“

„Well then, it´s settled.“ She clapped, announcing the closure of the case. I´ve gone over the events as they happened in my head… although I did follow Pip and others, I definitely was being pretty suspicious. And yet, Pip did hit the mermaid, not me. His aim had to be pretty good to accomplish that. Which he´d most likely pick up over all that time on Pequod and then in Pequod town.

T here was also a non-zero chance that my min d was playing tricks on me. It woul d n´t be the first time there was a brief chunk of memory missing d ue to interference from my past memories. The problem was that I d i d n´t remember anything like that happening.

„Were we sailing the Great Lake, I would have had all of you tied and thrown overboard to be crushed underneath the keel of our ship, your lungs bloating with the Lake's waters.“ Ahab continued, prompted by my silence.

„Things aren't looking so good…“ Dante tapped my shoulder. „There´s about 40 people… all at beck and call of Ahab. I feel like we could use a bit of advice, you know… on what to do here… if you´re still on our side.“

„Haha!! Lads, lasses! Cast fear from your hearts.“ Ahab roared with a laugh. „It is lucky for you, that… I am nothing if not merciful. I shall forgive your transgressions thus far. I have questions I would like to ask you, and I am certain that you have a few for me as well.“

She turned her back to us as she marched into one of the buildings.

„If you are willing to talk, then enter the Captain's quarters… in peace, mind.“ She carried herself with utmost confidence, almost like she knew that we would follow. That we had no choice but to follow.

„…Oi, them blokes that were glarin' at us… They're gone, like nothing happened.“ Heathcliff scratched the back of his head, thoroughly confused after being brought back.

„Captain forgave. Then everyone also forgives. I forgive, too.“ Queequeg answered.

„Huh… To turn her back on someone who was charging at her with murderous intent just moments ago… It's…“

„Yes. She is confident.“ Outis assessed the situation perfectly. I could juuust about see the person she once used to be… but not quite. „Confident that she's got the numerical advantage, even if we were to press the offensive. Confident that we know there's more for us to lose by attacking her than by going along with her.“

Outis gestured to my shoulder which still had marks from where her fingernails dug into it. „With what just happened… she's made it clear as day that, at least while we're in here, she has absolute control of the situation.“

„Good point. Also, Alighiero, you have plenty of explaining to do.“ Dante looked at me with their clock face and unfortunately, I couldn´t tell if they were particularly angry or not. Their tone was pretty ambiguous too.

„Yeah, I know… to briefly summarize, I had a pretty lopsided choice in front of me and I chose the lesser evil… which landed me on an impromptu one-way trip into the whale guts.“ Outis looked especially was doubtful of my claim, but didn´t speak against it just yet. Nor did the others.

Even if it was a fragile sort of trust, I valued it above any kind of treasure.

„The lesser evil… is that what we´re facing here, too?“ Dante asked plainly.

„...yeah.“

Ishmael was having none of it, though. „Talk with her? In peace…? Nonsense…“

„It's not like we have a way out of here…“ Dante quickly pointed out. Though it was just a simple fact, it had a profound effect on Ishmael as her gaze followed Queequeg, who walked wordlessly behind Ahab.

„Haah… Let's go. Let's listen to what that bastard's got to say. There's nowhere to run, after all… for her, or for us.“ Ishmael sighed and stepped forth, leading our group into Ahab´s tent.

„Um… So what's that on the board over there?“ Rodion said, trying her best to offset the ambient hostility in the room.

„The number of gold coins assigned to… each crewman and woman. We can collect 'em by fish…ing up useful stuff or by hunting Mermaids.“

Ah yes. The good ol´ „when we get back I´ll pay you“… in other words, the I.O.U´s that don´t need to be followed up on if the party that´s owed is no longer alive. Ahab really did have it all figured out.

„Hm… And who's the one paying you?“ Gregor asked, as if it wasn´t blatantly obvious.

„The Captain, ob…viously?“

Starbuck´s bluntness was very quickly growing on me.

„Are you saying that there is economic activity within the Whale's stomach? What need of gold coins could you have in here? Let alone the means of procuring them?“

„Told ya. We'll be outta here in just… a little bit. And once we're off this Whale, I'll get pa…id 63 gold coins. With that much dough… I just might be able to snag myself a half…way decent ship. Unless the inflation's gone… nuts, that is.“

I kept quiet about the flawed logistics of the cryptocurrency-based economy… though, WhaleCoin sure had a ring to it. Or maybe they could be called Star-bucks?

„Oh, by the way, ever be…en to the Marlin portship lately? Any chance you saw the sting…ray flattop grill place? I wonder if it's still… open.“ Starbuck asked. Unsurprisingly, Rodya immediately perked up at the mention of food.

„Ohh… That sounds delish! Where is it?“

Instead of answering her question, Starbuck walked up to Ishmael. „Hey, Ishmael. You really caught me off… guard earlier. Seriously, I didn't… think I'd find… you here, of all places. When we're outta here, we should go cr…ash at a bar and drink rum straight from a bar…rel! We'll make it a competition, just like the good ol…d days!“

Before Ishmael could give any semblance of an answer, Starbuck continued. „Right, so did you get a chance to say hello to every…one? A little chat? And oh m…an, you sure did grow your ha…ir out! Whatever happened to 'long hair is annoying'?“

He sounded like a terrific roomate.

„That's a lot of questions at once.“ Ishmael shot him a small smile that quickly fell off. „I don't think any of them want to chat with me. I can tell from the looks they're giving me…“

„Sometimes, peo…ple from other… ships would join us in the village… But none of 'em lasted more than a d…ay. We're the only ones who's made it this long. And it's all thanks to a solu…tion our Captain ca…me up with.“ Starbuck replied thoughtfully.

„A solution?“

As always, Outis was sharp as a tack when it came to gathering important information.

„A way to stop our bodies and minds from turning pal…lid.“

Only after Starbuck mentioned it did I recall the fact that my bind to Dante wasn´t particularly strong. The fact that I wasn´t turning pallid suddenly became just that much concerning.

If it wasn´t Dante who staved off the progression of pallidification for me, then who was? Was it Ahab? That explanation seemed even more far-fetched. I supposed it could´ve been my good ol´ pal Shadow Child… maybe making use of that stone I still carried with me, as it did have some kind of connection to him.

But those were all theories based on zero concrete evidence, which bothered me. It bothered me even more because Faust didn´t look least bit surprised about it.

„What is it?“ Dante asked me, since Starbuck wasn´t going to give them an answer. I shook my head. The answer would come out soon anyway.

„As you can see… with…out our Captain, we would've long been turn…ed into Mermaids. Without the Captain, this village wouldn't exist. So anyone that dares to anta…gonize the Captain… is our… enemy. Because to stand against the Cap…tain is to stand against our very survival.“

On paper, that mindset seemed at least halfway plausible. Technically, it wasn´t wrong, but the mechanism hinged on their loyalty to Ahab and her singular, laser-point goal of hunting the Pallid Whale.

„You've changed, Starbuck. I remember you butting heads with the Captain all the time.“ Ishmael said to him with what sounded almost like pity.

„…Did I?“

„Don't forget who trapped all of you here in the first place. Led us to our deaths.“ Ishmael coldly walked past Starbuck before entering Ahab´s office.

„I thought he was an old mate of yours?“ Dante asked Ishmael. They, too, have picked up on Ishmael´s weird attitude towards those she supposedly knew well before joining the Company.

„Starbuck… first mate of the Pequod. He wanted to be a good person to everyone. And he was the closest of the crew to the Captain's ear… which meant that they also squabbled pretty often, but… it didn't matter in the end. Ahab was equally indifferent to everyone anyway.“ She whispered back to them.

The office looked basically like that one meme with a crazed guy and corkboard with papers and red string and all that… except all of th walls looked like that. Even the ceiling had deep scratches of whale-adjascent shapes which… would be very concerning if I didn´t already know that Ahab was… well, it would probably be an understatement to it anything but obsession.

„Please, excuse the state of my office.“ She gestured to all the mess around us. „A bottle of rum and this would have gone down much smoother. Yet, after all the time we've spent stuck in here… I've not seen a single bottle of it float its way in.“

„Executive Manager, allow me to take charge of this negotiation.“ Outis spoke up. „Ishmael… cannot be trusted to make a rational decision. And you, Executive Manager, cannot properly communicate with this woman. She will only hear your ticking sounds.“

„Sure…“

I was glad I didn´t have to get involved in any of that. Explaining to Ahab how a random person wound up inside the whale, unpallidified and still in one piece (without actually telling her anything important) had already made me feel like a raving lunatic. As soon as I mentioned that Ishmael would appear, however, Ahab´s attitude shifted from suspicion to amusement.

Almost as if she expected the very situation to occur all along.

In other words, it was a great comfort that Outis took up the initiative. „Captain Ahab, is it? We-“

„Allow me to hazard a guess. You rowed in here, voluntarily, in search of something that the Pallid Whale devoured. This means that you and your present company have also found a way to keep yourselves from turning into Mermaids.“

„Well, I don't suppose there's any point hiding it when we've already come this far.“ Outis nodded. I saw her shoot a glance at me, as if to make sure I didn´t let out any information.

„We are in search… of a certain object. Its appearance is as thus…“ Don Quixote explained excitedly, before being stopped by Gregor mid-sentence.

„Wait, are we really going to just tell her everything? Why don't we talk about this between us first, and-“

„I know what you seek. A golden stick of sorts, I presume. Am I wrong?“ Ahab interjected, catching the Sinners and Dante off-guard.

„Wh-what?“

„I know where to find it. I can even bring you to it.“

„Hmph, how do we know that you aren't bluffing?“

„She´s not. And before you go ahead and assume she knows because I told her or because she overheard you or something – the answer is no. She´s already known about the Golden Bough before any of us got near the Whale.“ I quelled the rising suspicions. Unsurprisingly, my words, though taken into account, weren´t met with much trust – though, I would be concerned if they were. However, the last person I wanted to catch wind of things was Ahab whose eyes shined with interest.

„For a temporary employee, you have quite a tight hold on them. Especially given your age. I wonder why that is...“

„Alighiero has proven themselves number of times.“ Outis stepped between me and Ahab, even though the distance between us wasn´t that small. „You will not get more information than that.“

„Besides, do you expect us to believe you´re really about to tell us where the Bough is?“

„You presume that I would not part with this information? I have nothing to hide!“ Ahab slammed the desk and leaned aggressively toward us. She wore a knowing grin, as though she knew exactly how to tilt the tables to get the ball rolling in her direction. „Let us speak plainly here. I have naught to hide from you. In fact, I daresay that it is you who are withholding things from me.“ I could feel Ahab´s eyes bore into me even though Outis has not moved from her spot, hand on her weapon, as if she expected an altercation at any moment.

„You called that stick the 'Golden Bough' did you? Well, then. That 'Golden Bough' is at the dead center of this accursed whale.“

„At the dead center…“ Hong Lu repeated to himself. I could hardly imagine what was going through his head.

„The epicenter of this deep, resonant thumping. The spring of life that fuels this beast. The heart. The heart that seeps with all that is evil in the world.“ Ahab explained.

For some reason, that sentence resonated in my head. I let it go before the horrible thought took root in my head. I needed to focus on the now, not waste time worrying about some distant tomorrow that might´ve not even come.

„But… You are in luck. It just so happens to be that the Pequod has set course for that very same destination. And we plan to set sail in the very near future. Because the only way out of the Whale is by destroying its heart.“

„That's interesting. I wonder if this is just a coincidence?“ Hong Lu once again brought up how the details just seemed to fall into place. I had nothing to say on it. The flow of the cantos sure was weird as hell, but I wasn´t Vergilius. The flow was a total mystery to me, even though I knew about its existence.

„What's so interesting about it?“ Sinclair asked with an eyebrow rising up his forehead.

„Isn't it interesting that, after all those years they spent preparing for their journey to the heart, we just happened to arrive as they were about to set sail?“

„I have naught else to say but merely refer to the nature of fate. The threads of fate itself is weaved so that I, Ahab, shall be the one to pierce the heart of the Pallid Whale.“

Dream on, bitch. This Whale is not yours to slay… at least not in the reality in which we were at the time. I really had to hold myself to not let on my inner thoughts on the situation out of my mouth.

„I have set more sails in the belly of this beast than the number of your gritted teeth combined. I have been to every nook and cranny of this place, all of which I clearly recall. There is no method upon this earth that I have not attempted to pierce this beast's hide. So allow me to preclude a few options for you. This beast's hide is as thick and impenetrable as R Corp.'s fortress. All the weapons in the world will not be able to pierce it.“

„Tried to stab it. With my Harpoon. Wound it, yes. Puncture a hole, no.“ Queequeg said, amplifying the direness of Ahab´s claims.

„Well, If you find my words so difficult to believe, then feel free to give it a try with your own weapons.“

The Sinners already seemed to hav an idea of just how true those words were because not a single one of them doubted that statement.

„I… we know better than anyone.“ Ahab corrected herself. „The crushing pain of surviving at a place such as this with no hope of rescue. No sane mind survives such torment for long.“

A pang of something stirred within me. An old memory, from before I adopted Fawkes. The empty, grey apartment that seemed to close in on me every night, robbing me of precious rest. I pushed those memories away. I wasn´t in that small apartment anymore and I sure as hell wasn´t ever going to be alone.

Never again.

„Behold my pitiful crew! They hold on, tooth and nail, to their sense of self as the pallid membrane tries to devour them whole!“

„Nothing here. Nothing. None.“ Queequeg echoed her Captain´s words.

„We can do naught here but scavenge the flotsam that washes up to its stomach. Mermaid corpses Queequeg brings back from her hunts are our only source of subsistence.“

„Fins. Soft.“ Queequeg nodded.

„And faith. The faith that, as long as we foll…ow our Captain, she'll eventually lead us… out of here. That's what we hold onto.“ Starbuck added.

Ishmael looked back to me, probably recalling what I´ve told her before. I could see that there was fear in her eyes, a prelude of doom which her killing of Ahab could bring if attempted too soon without properly disengaging her influence on the crew.

Without throwing them another rope to grab onto, they would sink, never to see above the water´s surface again…

„Now, give my offer a listen. I, Captain Ahab of the Pequod, the leader of the Pequod Town, have a responsibility to bring every single one of my crew home. Thus I make this offer to you.“ She said with grandeur. „I will destroy this bastard's heart. For long have I prepared; now, all that remains to be done is to set the plan in motion.“

„Our goals are the same, yet we each seek different treasures. Assist me in my plan. We will hunt this Whale and escape, and the Golden Bough shall be yours.“ She boasted before the Sinners, who have listened keenly to her every word by then.

„We must discuss this amongst ourselves first.“ Outis said resolutely, gathering us into a closed circle, though still within hearing distance of Ahab.

„Take as much time as you want.“ Ahab nodded with a generous smile.

Meursault spoke first. „The boat that carried us here is beyond salvaging. Thus, it follows that we require a new boat for us to escape the Whale. Moreover, moving across the bodily fluids of this Whale is necessary if we are to conduct an investigation of its interiors. For that, we require a new boat.“

„Hmph, then commandeering their vessel is also one of our options-“

„Guys, they can hear us! Pipe down!“

Thanks God that at least Sinclair had some common sense left where Outis did not.

„Our ship. Hard to sail. Complex. Only Pequod crew can handle Pequod boats.“ Queequeg said matter-o-factly from the opposite corner of the room.

„What'd I say?“ Sinclair pointed out, looking like a nervous chihuahua, riiiiight at its limit. Luckily, Sinclair didn´t snap all that often even when he reached the point where most other people would.

„How much time would it take if we were to build a boat from scratch?“ Outis asked instead. She was probably already thinking of engine plans or something. She did spend a lot of time helping back at boatworks, I realized.

„Considering that we possess no necessary materials, considering that we must reinforce it to be resistant to the Whale's acid… The estimated time of completion is…“ Faust paused, not giving a concrete answer on that. It wasn´t necessary.

„No, no. Let's… not even think about that.“ Dante shook their head.

„Ha, so that's her offer? She's not changed one bit. Driving people to their deaths with bullshit that, at a glance, seems plausible… nothing's changed.“ Ishmael scoffed in Ahab´s direction.

The Sinners were all expressing their opinions… which were all very diametrically opposed to one another with little hope of meeting somewhere in the middle.

Dante looked like they were lost… they looked at me in hope that I would magically present a genius solution to the issue at hand. Before I could say something, Ahab stepped in, unbidden.

„I see that you are having some trouble coming to an agreement amongst yourselves. That is quite understandable. It should be clear as day that the answer is right before your eyes. My offer is perfect for your present, rather desperate, situation.“

„But that is the whims of fate! These seemingly implausible, coincidental opportunities are the threads of fate weaving the path ahead for us! You must first learn to be someone who grips their destiny when it presents itself. It is common wisdom among every seafarer.“

„Ugh…“ Sinclair shuddered at her words. I would probably too, but Sinclair´s discomfort and the chaos brewing among the Sinners and on top of that, Dante´s passivity… it all stirred something inside of me.

„Will you kindly shut up for five minutes? Please and thank you.“ I glared at her. She laughed in my face of course, but even that bit of opposition was better than letting it stew inside.

„They are right about one thing...you and your arrogant, all-knowing speeches haven't changed one bit.“ Ishmael growled Ahab´s way. „Don't delude yourself. I'm not joining hands with you ever again. Even now I can't wait to chew you up and tear you apart.“

That refute made Ahab laugh even harder. „Hahaha! What face! What words! The girl has finally learned how to speak like a proper seadog worth her salt! Haven't you, Ishmael?“

„Didn't think you'd remember my name.“ Ishmael stepped out of the circle, closing in on Ahab.

„How could I not?“ I heard your voice moments before the Whale swallowed me whole. The echoes of your voice calling my name, scattering to the winds amidst the desolation. Hah. I can hear it clearly, as though it happened but a day ago.“

„Even for a brief moment, through the tempest, our eyes met. And I peered into the depths of your heart. Into the depths of your true desire.“

I wanted to call bullshit on that, but there wasn´t really enough time as Ahab strode toward Ishmael who stood her ground, feet planted firmly into Whale´s guts that served as a disgusting carpet. She glared at the old woman with bloodshot eyes.

„So I'll give you what you want.“ Ahab almost whispered, face so close to Ishmael I was getting especially concerned.

„Huh. Let's see what kind of crap you come up with this time. Because what I want-“

„-Is my heart.“ Ahab finished for Ishmael. In that moment I saw nothing but pure surprise in Ishmael´s face. There was no debate to be had. Ahab guessed precisely what Ishmael wanted. Because Ishmael was just like Ahab.

„Ishmael. Listen well. I am… the first and the only person who watched the birth of your life's greatest wish. There was an awakening deep within you. A hateful obsession, screaming and thrashing with frenzy so that you may one day gut me yourself. That very desire is what has brought you before me, past the trials and tribulations the world has thrown in your way. Am I wrong?“

Her speech was nothing short of captivating. Even in my disgust I listened to every single word as if Ahab was speaking to me.

„The Golden Bough they seek? You don't give a shit about that. Of course you don't. My very heart is your Golden Bough, your plunder, the treasure you so desperately seek at the end of your journey. I knew that, deep inside, you were still a sailor and a harpooneer. An excellent one at that. From the moment of our reunion to now, you've been stabbing me over and over again in your head. And not once have you averted your eyes.“

Ahab grinned. „What a harpooneer that makes you! Were I a Whale, I would have willingly given you my heart to kill.“

„You'll give me your heart…“ I saw Ishmael´s grip around her harpoon tighten so much that I could practically hear her knuckles pop.

„You know better than anyone that I do not lie, Ishmael! You know where the bow of my accumulated passion has set course to! Help me destroy this Whale's heart! And I, Captain Ahab, shall willingly give you my life.“

She opened her arms at Ishmael, as if to beckon her to attack, right there, in her office, as her two most loyal crewmen watched.

„It matters not the manner in which you end me. I will accept it all gladly.“

Ishmael´s nose flared as she was desperately trying to control her breathing. In that moment Ahab snatched Ishmael's harpoon, and brought it to her throat.

„Now! Do you not wish to tear open my arteries? Allow me to make this task even easier for you. Shall I turn my neck so that my veins are plain to see?! All of this is yours… as long as I can achieve my goal.“

A drop of blood fell from Ahab´s finger. She cut herself on Ishmael´s harpoon, but that only drove her further along. „Oh, what a keen harpoon you have whetted! I can imagine the nights you've spent sharpening it, drawing a picture of my painful demise. You must have felt it—the call of destiny, your fate! Just as I have!!!“ She was looking at her own bloody hand like it was the most precious thing in the world.

I was getting major heebies. Jeebies, even.

„No one on this earth understands you better than I do, Ishmael! I know that very longing, that very burning hatred that consumes your days!“

„Yeah… You're right. I'm barely holding myself back from tearing into your arteries.“ Ishmael said quietly, to the point I could´ve easily missed it.

„Yet you do not act… Because even now, even as the tip of your razor-sharp harpoon tickles the fuzz on my neck, you know the truth so well.“

Ahab leaned somehow even closer to Ishmael who stepped back to avoid piercing Ahab´s throat with her harpoon. „That you are still too weak to kill me. How pitiful, yet how clever… The girl knows her place… And that cleverness serves you well. A foolish sailor would not have accepted this very generous offer of mine.“

She smiled, knowing that she´s won the negotiations. Fair and square, with little fussing. I kept sane only by reminding myself that the victory of war would not be hers.