Chapter 21: Tantalus
I hopped off the stone roof and floated over to the black rooster's front door. Immediately I felt something snap in my essence circulation. I accidentally cut the flow of shadow essence that was powering my stealth.
Interestingly enough the system overrides the flow of essence so when I try to use my third eye I often end up undoing abilities. I’ll have to watch out for that.
It’s not that complicated. I just need to find another pathway for the power to travel. A path that doesn’t interrupt the systems cookie cutter functions.
Stealth wasn’t that important. It wasn’t necessarily a stealth mission but I would of preferred to be hidden up until I got inside.
As expected I was immediately spotted by one of the busboys. Who coincidentally had decided to go on a smoke break right when I was about to do my impression of the quiet kid at school.
“Holy fuck!” He dropped the cigarette on the ground. The guy looked like he was in his twenties. He wore a red vest with a collared white shirt underneath and black dress pants.
From my previous stakeout I knew that, that was the uniform brandished by employees of the black rooster. He wasn't an NPC. The strange part was his eyes looked kind of red. The guy could use some eye drops.
“Hey” I gave him a nonchalant wave like everything was totally normal. As long as I didn’t make it weird it wouldn’t be weird. I wasn’t my brother I didn’t need to resort to staring people down until they were more uncomfortable than me.
Let him think he’s going crazy. Meanwhile I’ll be slaughtering all his friends and co-workers. Not all of them, just until the centipedes hunger subsides.
“Are…. Are you real?” was this guy okay? He was genuinely unsure of weather I was real or not. Did he not know what stealth was?
You know it hadn’t occurred to me that the employees might also be on drugs. I couldn’t be sure. He might just be really dumb. Oh…. Perhaps I shouldn't make fun of him.
He might be one of the special ones. Is special offensive? I’d better not mention it. Father always said to treat them like normal people.
The guy reached out to me his finger touching my forehead. What a strange greeting. I’d do the same but I can't reach that high.
Memories of being spanked flashed through my mind. Ah! That's right! “stranger danger!” I ducked under his hand then threw a solid punch to his crotch.
The guy grunted leaning forward and holding his balls. I might of punched a little to hard. I definitely felt something pop.
For some reason there were actual tears welding up in the corners of my eyes. I felt a strange trauma come over me. It made me feel a bit sick.
That memory. I was being kidnapped! Was that what was happening? No…. Wait, he was just trying to see if I was real. Strange, Why didn't Isaac give me that memory. Actually there's a bunch of stuff I never got.
The busboy stood back up. I felt a little sorry for him but at the same time I didn't want him touching me. I know I wanted friends but this was a friend I didn't need. This is what Shadow might call a bad influence.
He didn't look angry. The guy was just standing there confused. Was he still not sure if I was real? Even the centipede was perplexed, so much so that it’s buzzing had quieted down.
Was this guy actually on something? It seemed very irresponsible to be high on your own supply. He sure looked like it. Wait…. Now hold on a minute! I can use this.
I looked around like I was about to tell a racist joke. Then waved my hand like I was asking him to come closer. He blinked and leaned forward. So trusting.
“I’m not real.” I loud whispered to him all conspiratorial like. His eyes went wide.
The guy stood up straight and rubbed his eyes but I was still there. That would have been a perfect time to activate stealth and leave Snowball floating there but I wasn’t that clever.
He stumbled over his words. “You…. Your not… your not like, gonna rush in and kill my boss and everyone else in there…. Are ya?” His eyes squinted like he was trying to see through me.
There was a long silence. For a moment I thought about joking around with him and making this all out to be a silly misunderstanding, but only for a moment.
I looked to snowball, then the centipede on my shoulder. We all came to the same conclusion. The thought “He knows to much!” bounced back and forth between the three of us.
My sword spun out from behind me then shot forward stabbing the man through the skull.
I was surprised to see it go right through bone like that. Well it was super thin so it had less trouble going through things.
I hadn't actual meant to kill him. The centipede had somehow assisted me in the kill. Even now I could feel it’s shadow like wisps tightening around my arms and legs.
It was like an auto correct feature. I felt like throwing up but I was also happy that the centipede wouldn't hurt me now.
Even now the constant ringing in my head had just about vanished. I felt my head ache fading.
Maybe one life would be enough. Maybe I can get away with just one dead body. It was a bit to soon to celebrate as the monster inside me called for more blood.
More blood? It wanted more. How many more people would I have to kill? I started to question myself. Are these really the actions of a hero?
The centipede exuded its pressure and my body felt like it was being crushed under a mountain. I couldn't move or breathe. All I knew was unrelenting pain. The numbness I felt earlier was still there but it didn't block anything the centipede did to me.
I started apologizing and when that didn't work I told it I would kill as many people as it wanted, just make it stop.
I came back to my senses. There was now something running down my legs. It was warm and wet. Yeah…. That’s… That’s piss. Oh, looks like my eyes peed to. My bad, those are tears.
Those dam emotions came rushing back. All those stupid memories of Isaac’s childhood. I was very aware of the giant centipede hanging on my shoulders. Aware of how it wrapped around me. It’s legs stabbing into me like dirty needles. Spreading rot and infection. Spreading poison and fear.
This was why that guy died. Because the centipede is controlling me. This isn’t my fault! I didn’t kill him! The centipede made me do it! I’m innocent! I can still make lots of friends! I'm not a bad person!
It doesn’t have full control but its taking everything I have not to run down the street and start slaughtering random people.
I need to aim this blood lust somewhere else. That way I’ll at the very least only kill those that are less worthy of living. I hope people will still want to be friends with me.
The black wisps reached out licking the body. The centipede was feeding off of him. An intrusive memory crawled its way out the back of my head. That’s right… something weird happen last time it ate.
It was that time, back when mother died but…. Something strange happened back then. That thing stopped it. That light. Where was it now? Why wasn’t it here?
This wasn’t the time. I tried to gather myself. My body felt drained but I had to keep fighting. I don’t want to be this things toy, it's tool, but I don't have a choice.
I’m not doing anything wrong. Its not my fault. I have to kill people to survive. It’s like when a wolf kills a rabbit. It’s just trying to survive. Nothing wrong with that.
My sword came back my way slashing the blood off of its blade before attaching itself to my back. People were screaming but that was expected. I wanted to scream to.
I shouldn't scream. I'm a hero. If I scream and frown then nobody will want to be my friend. I’ll just have to smile.
Tears continued to run down my face and I smiled and cackled like a hyena on laughing gas. I fought so desperately against the pain. This was pure madness.
The centipede didn’t take long to feed and I wasn’t sure if anyone else could see it. I turned my attention to the double doors. My third eye flared to life blasting them wide open with a burst of kinetic force.
As long as I smile and laugh then people will be my friend. And that's what I did. Even though I had someone else's blood on me. Even though tears continued to run down my face. I continued to smile and giggle.
I don’t think the doors were supposed to open that way but they did for me. Making my way inside I was met with all manner of weapons.
I saw guns and swords. Beautiful glowing magic circles. Bows and arrows. There were spears, cross bows, knives and other things.
I scanned for my targets but only found two. Not all of these guys were apart of the staff. A lot of them were players. From the looks of it only two of my targets were here.
They were all spooked from the commotion outside and me standing here laughing and crying was so out of place that they couldn't even attack.
Regi was the bartender. He looked a little like a butler. He had long black hair tied into a ponytail and a clean shaven face. Over his left eye was an eye patch. The pirate wannabe brandished a pair of fancy knives.
Silver was a woman shaped cyborg. Like her name she had silver hair. She held a kinetic gun.
Her race was obviously cyborg. Her head had silicone skin in the shape of a beautiful girl. Her eyes were a dark red yet their light seemed to cut through the dim room.
The rest of her body was pure metal and plastic with different colored lights sprinkled about. Some blinked. Others were perpetually on.
Where was brave Jack's? I’m pretty sure he's the one running the whole operation. I bet he’s upstairs.
Seeing all there frightened faces made me giggle. I managed to do a little courtesy lifting the edges of my dress and bowing. I followed it up with a spin and dance fluttering my dress like flower petals in the wind.
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The centipede laughed at my tomfoolery. No one else found my performance all that funny not even Snowball, but that was okay.
It was time to separate the hens from the foxes. “Anyone that isn’t staff get the hell out!” I was expecting the players to leave but no one moved. Maybe this was a hidden faction of players?
I gave their avatars a quick scan and to my surprise none of them were affiliated with a guild. That was actually kind of smart. There was no way to tell if a group had formed or not.
Since they didn’t leave when I told them, I’ll just have to wipe them all out. They were all bad guys after all and the centipede was hungry. Already it’s buzzing was starting to pick up in frequency.
Snowball had been yapping this whole time. I was busy trying to keep us alive and save the city. There was no time to hesitate. I’m a hero after all.
My blade spun through the air and went for the nearest guy. He had an axe and somehow managed to smack my blade away.
The long range fighters all fired off their magic and weapons. The room erupted with the sound of gunfire. It wasn’t as loud as the centipede currently chirping my head off.
Ever since I walked into the room I’d been building power around me. Using that said power I quickly created a wall of kinetic energy causing their attacks to be crushed under its immense pressure.
As a counter I used that same energy to send a wave of kinetic force through out the room completely decimating their front lines. My barrier might be gone but thanks to that. All that remained were the enemies in the back. Mostly just melee fighters.
Couldn’t help but notice my focus bar had gone down by about 20% just from that one wave. It was so costly.
To be fair It was only essence so that was expected but still that was so expensive. I’ll have to be more frugal with my focus expenditure.
I weaved through magical attacks of varying affinities. The centipede helped to balance me and guide me.
Silver and Regi were making there way out the back. That was okay. I dashed forward using telekinesis to toss a chair at my first target. Who was a sword and shield wielding lady.
She lifted her shield and the chair exploded upon impact. Using my third eye I took hold of the peace’s and slammed them into the ladies body. They pierced her flesh causing blood to spew. She cried out in pain.
It looked like I hadn’t hit anything vital. My sword made it into my hands and I slashed it across her legs cutting half way through bone and flesh like they were both made of paper.
She screamed again — this time more angry than in pain — and foolishly tried to cut me down, but her legs split open like a KitKat and she fell towards me. I stepped aside avoiding her sword then ran my blade through her back finishing her off.
Death was so strange. Killing was almost easy. I ripped my blade out just in time to avoid a knife that had been thrown at me.
The centipede as expected reached out and did something to the woman’s body. I wasn’t sure what but it hadn't eaten her soul.
My best guess was it was trying to keep her core from being collected. Eating took time and right now we were surrounded. Even though we were in a bad situation the centipede still found time to secure its meals. Greedy bug.
It used to do everything that I said but now that our contract was fulfilled I no longer had a say in what we did. I could only ever do things that aligned with its goals. It’s laughable.
Another guy came at me with an axe. I giggled and smiled as tears flew from my face mixing with the blood on my cheeks. I avoided his axe using telekinetic force to push him against the wall.
His axe clattered on the floor so I lifted it with telekinesis and shot it across the room striking an approaching man in the head. He fell to the floor a loud thump breaking through the chaos.
I ran my blade through the guts of the guy stuck to the wall. His intestines spilled out splattering on the floor. The screams he produced were blood chilling but I continued to gigle like a school girl. Icicles were now being fired at me accompanied by wind blades.
I caught the icicles one after the other using a wall of kinetic energy. The wind blades dissipated on contact with my barrier unable to slice through its girth. This was All going on while I avoided the blade of an assassin.
The razor sharp edges of his dagger sored near my flesh as he desperately tried to cut me down. I must of killed one of his friends because he looked like he might be having a tummy ache.
Ya know… maybe he really wanted to be my friend and was trying to show me his knife. He could just be a super awkward guy that doesn’t know how to talk to people.
Another guy swung his snake-like sword down at me activating an ability. The blade glowed red as it arced through the air.
The centipede saw it coming and took full control, forcing our body to step aside. Then it used telekinesis to pull Mr. knife into Mr. snake sword’s path.
Oh…. My friend.
The sword cut into his left shoulder and sunk in almost a foot. It must of hit his heart because he went limp. Mr. Snake sword screamed in fear and tried to remove his blade from Mr. knife’s ribcage but it was stuck due to it’s strange shape.
I was in shock. He killed my friend! “Don't worry Mr. knife! I'll avenge you!” I sent my palm forward touching the friend killer’s stomach. Then sent a burst of kinetic energy through him.
His guts exploded out of his back. They splattered across the room like that one famous lady that would use her poo to make paintings on walls.
I then took the icicles I’d been gathering and flung them back at the ice mage that had cast them. She no longer looked like she wanted to fight as a look of horror came upon her face.
The Icicles slammed into her like a pin cushion. Her body was flung back and pinned against the wall. Blood spewed out from her wounds as she died a slow painful death.
Surprisingly the ice spears hadn’t hit anything vital so the only death she could possibly experience was a mercy kill or loss of blood. Couldn’t help but think the centipede had planed it that way. Cruel bug.
My third eye caught a flash of essence from my left. A man with a spear activated a ability. The blade of his weapon erupted with a spiraling orange light. He moved across the room with blinding speed.
I dove into action jumping onto the tip of his spear causing it to stab into the floor. Just as it hit I jumped back, his spears shaft almost breaking on impact. The power of his attack drilled through the floor boards until it hit the ground under the tavern in a puff of dust.
I jumped through the cloud of dirt and landed a solid fist to his chest. He hardly moved. This guy must have some kind of knock back resistance. At the very least he was stubborn.
He took a half step back pulling the spear out of the ground, and getting into position for another attack. Spear guy didn't hesitate as he came in with a jab.
His team mates decided to watch and cheer him on. This man must have been something special for them to let him go in alone.
I avoided the spear head over and over again as he maneuvered it around in an attempt to poke me. My giggling wouldn't stop. Tears flew as my body moved rapidly to avoid his attacks. This guy was actually kind of strong. To bad he wasn't as fast as me.
How did father put it? Bob and weave. Move around your opponent until you see and opening and strike.
I sent my blade flying at him. It stabbed into his shoulder. Putting pressure on it. The blade lifted into the air taking the man with it. He screamed in pain trying to pull the weapon free. It tore itself out of his shoulder just about severing the limb.
While I dealt with him two other players were getting into position from both my left and right sides. Each brandishing bows. They were organized. The arrows glowed a light green before they fired off a volley of arrows.
The two of them were smart to shoot at an angle instead of directly across from each other with me between them. This way neither one was in the other’s crosshairs.
That ability was crazy. It was like the projectiles had multiplied. I built a wall of kinetic force on both sides stopping the arrows from hurting me. Another archer got his bow ready. He was directly in front of me.
It looked like the rest of their team didn’t want to get in their way as they prepared potions and tried to heal their fallen comrades.
I focused on closing myself in a barrier and the kinetic force responded by moving into place. The power formed a perfect bubble around me. The archers skill went off as the man yelled its name. “piercing shot!”
A golden light shot from his bow and went right through my defenses. The light hit my stomach exiting my back and even going through the wall. Blood pooled around the wound. It was thin but still it was damage.
There was also a poison icon in the corner of my vision. I was so surprised that I didn’t noticed the guy with the gun about to launch a similar attack. He fired his shot only it didn’t actually do anything.
Somehow my aura connected with my ribbon and my body was flooded with shadow essence. The effect turned my body transparent completely ignoring the bullet.
I should of paid more attention. The two players that had shot volleys were about to do their own piercing shots. That was enough of that.
I expanded my barrier creating another wave of force to crash into them. The two archers that were about to fire were crushed against the wall. The kinetic wave wasn’t as powerful as the first and only managed to push everyone else back a little.
It didn’t stop the last two ranged attackers from firing there own volleys now that my shield was down. I did my best to avoid them as I gathered my power to form a shield. Surely enough one grazed my side and another activated the shadow essence ability.
I managed to toss a shield up just in time. Edge Of The Abyss made it back to my side. I used it to power the shield seeing as I was starting to go low on focus. The centipede cried in anger telling me to stop hiding and kill.
Using the sword as a medium I readied a spell. A gold magic circle formed over my free hand. It flashed with multiple runes. I thrust my hand out as I called its name “chain lightning!” powerful golden lightning shot out of my hand and struck both of my attackers. The lightning lashed out attacking others.
They didn’t have time to scream as they died almost as soon as the lightning hit. That was so cool! I even managed to hurt the allies adjacent to them.
There was only two enemies left. I was feeling a bit tired. The centipede was keeping me on my feet. The last two drew out blades. A lot of good that would do.
Their auras weren’t to strong and I could easily break through. I focused my third eye and watched as flames began to form around them and all over the walls.
This was a power called pyrokinesis. I could only produce a few flames but this was enough to at least start the fire.
The last two cried out in pain as the flames ate them alive. The red glow of the room made grate contrast giving form to the formless.
There were three distortions of light there. I’m surprised my third eye didn’t see them. To be fair if I’d tried I’m sure I could of made them out clear as day but I hadn’t even thought to look.
It didn’t look like they were going to fight me. Most likely they were afraid and were trying to hide till things calmed down. I didn’t want to fight them either. Maybe they’ll be my friends.
I smiled but the tears still fell. I must of looked insane because they shifted into defensive poses. At least that’s what their silhouettes looked like. Before I could say anything the centipede activated one of the spells on my hot bar.
It was the spell lightning only far more powerful. a bolt of blue electricity shot out from my hand and struck one of the hiding assassins. They were dead in an instant.
Isaac would probably say no magic protection. Me on the other hand knew better. The guy's aura had no lightning resistance.
“Jacob!” one of the assassins dropped stealth and ran to the fallen man’s side. It was hard to tell what it was. His body was completely cooked. The smell of burnt flesh was so strange yet somewhat familiar. Like barbecue but not that. Beef almost.
The room might have been ablaze but the darkness of the centipede permeated all of the dead bodies like black smoke. Lucky for me my third eye took care of sight.
The third guy stepped out of stealth standing in front of the girl. “Stacy get out of here I’ll hold off the monster!” The man brandished his knife. It seemed to glow a dark orange, as the light of the flames bounced off of its dark gray surface.
what!? A monster? Me?
“Hey. I’m not a monster mister. I'm Centa.” He was wrong. I’m no monster. It’s the centipede that’s making me do things.
The building was starting to fall apart around us. Chunks of wooden framework were coming lose and crashing down. The centipede’s face appeared within the shadows of the room. Hundreds of knife like teeth swirling around a black endless void.
It spoke to me. “More. Moooooooore!” it’s voice was far worse than the gun fire a moment ago. Not only did it pierce my ears it shook my soul. My mind was cracking.
I tried speaking to it. “Why can’t we leave them alone. You haven’t even eaten any of the souls yet. You cant be that—!” I was interrupted by a growing pain like my head was being pumped full of air. “aaaaaah!” I went limp but the centipede held me up. It’s needle like feet digging ever deeper into my body.
“Foooood! More food! Feast! Soul! Eat! Eat! Eat!” It started to tear into me as it’s body squirmed. It’s legs stabbing and cutting into me. No one else could see it. The legs weren’t in my actual body. I was feeling what it wanted me to feel.
I couldn’t scream, I couldn’t move, I couldn’t breathe. This body was a prison. It screeched and scratched. I was in that darkness once more.
The sound permeated through my present, my future, and especially my past. The tears wouldn't stop. They ran down my cheeks as giant sticky red blobs. Huh? Since when were tears made of blood?
It wasn’t fair. Why do I have to live like this? No wonder my brother stuffed all his darkness into that hole. Ignorance. I wish for Ignorance.
If only I didn’t know of the outside world. If only the darkness was the only thing I knew. Then… maybe then I could be happy. It’s cruel to show me light. To give me hope and make it so I can never grasp it.
This was like the story of that guy in Tartarus. What was his name?.... Tantalus
Snowball tried to speak but the darkness didn’t let her. I opened my inventory and deposited her inside. She didn’t need to suffer like this. She doesn’t deserve it.
Stacy screamed in anger. “I'll kill her myself!” as the man called her name to try and stop her. She rushed at me with such fury. I decided not to do anything. Maybe with the power of friendship I’ll be set free.
The centipede didn't like that idea and was ready to step in and use me like a puppet. I focused my entire mind on not moving and thanks to that my body was still. I could feel that greedy bug trying to pull my arms and legs into action but all he could manage was a simple tremble.
I did it! I stopped it! Even though I was trying so hard it was impossible to do anything else.
I thought she would save me but even though we had the power of friendship she was unable to do a thing. A large chunk of the ceiling fell on top of her pinning her to the floor.
The guy tried to free her. I already knew she was dead. Her health bar was only half gone but my third eye showed me she had something stuck in her chest. It looked like her own knife. She must of fallen on it.
The only thing that could save her was either a sacred art, or a potion. Was I really a hero? I didn't mean to do it. The centipede made me. It brought me here and attacked. I-I… okay so I did fight back but… I had to! I was defending myself!... right? Am I the bad guy?
I looked at the destruction and dead bodies all around me. These guys were just trying to make a foot hold in this world. I really just wanted to be better than my brother. Isaac didn’t even care about those homeless people.
He let them die and for what? to get rid of purple mist? Were these people really that much of a threat? So they have a little side hustle selling drugs. Big deal.
Isaac used to do all kinds of drugs. He is such a hypocrite and here I am trying to prove I’m better than him. It’s a stupid joke!
I found new strength in myself. A new desire ignited inside me and I found what I needed to take charge.
Ignoring the cries for blood I made my way over to the two assassins. The man was still trying to pull the rubble off of the girl. His aura wasn't built for strength. The girl was unconscious.
“Stacy please stay with me!” he kept trying to free her. This guy no longer paid any attention to me. He was ready to die alongside her.
I did this. How could I call myself a hero. The centipede was already surrounding the two of them. It might hurt me if I do this but…..
I Used telekinesis to pull the rubble off the girl. The man turned her over and saw the knife in her chest. “You idiot!” he started crying over her body.
“Mister she isn’t dead yet.” The guy finally realized it. He was about to feed her a potion when I stopped him. He glared at me. I was the one that put them in this situation. The centipede cried wishing for their deaths. I ignored it.
“I’m sorry. If you feed her that the wound will try to close over the knife. She’ll be in serious pain. I need you to pull the knife out of her. Then I’ll heal her with a sacred art.” He only seemed to shake angrily.
“You bitch! You think this is some stupid game! You cant play with people like there toys! What gives you the right! God dam it!” He lunged at me and tried to stab me with his own knife. I avoided it and used telekinesis on his body. He flew off and hit the wall.
I didn’t mean to but I hadn't noticed the deer head mounted to the wall. One of its antlers had pierced the man’s heart. He died on impact. I felt my soul crack. “This wasn’t what I wanted! I cant let it end like this! Let me save one person! Just one!”
The girl! I can still save the girl! I ran to her. Her health was very low. If I pull the knife out now she’ll most likely die. It was gonna hurt but I could still save her!
I can undue what I did! I can save her and be a hero! I don’t have to be a monster! The centipede cried out in a chalk board scream. That sound, It was so frustrating.
I cried and screamed. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! You always do this! why can't you let me live in peace!” My body shook and I started to curl up into a ball. I was surrounded by its gloom.
Before I could fall back under its control I forced myself to slam my head on the floor. It felt good. I did it again and again until my head started to bleed. I then turned my attention to the girl. She was about to die. I tried to use the sacred art but….. it didn’t work.
System message:
EROR 404 Not found.
Contacting developers….
A complaint has been made in your name. Please stand by while management tries to fix this problem.
“It… it didn’t work! Potion!” I pulled a potion out and tried to make her drink. The green liquid made it into her mouth leaking out the sides. It wasn't going down her throat!
Her HP dropped to zero and she was dead. Then and only then did the centipede try and eat her. It covered her like a swarm of flies and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get it off of her.
The shadows slipped right through my fingers like they didn’t exist. I cried as I desperately patted them away.
“It wasn’t fair! Why dose it always end like this! Why do I have to be the villain! Why won’t anyone come and save me!”
I just want one person to care.
I pleaded and cried. “I can save her! I can save her! Stop it! Get off of her! She isn’t dead! I can still save her! Please! Let me save her!” my tears slapped against her face.
I let out a scream. A scream louder than anything this tiny vessel could ever dream of producing. It was a scream that came from my very soul. A cry of pain and anguish. A cry born from watching hope die.
I did this. I did it. It’s my fault. I killed all these people. I wish I was never born. I wish to stop existing.
The darkness began to close in on me, as I curled into a little ball and fell into the hole once more. Though it wasn’t I or Aku or even Isaac that controlled our body. It was the raging monster that Isaac… no, that we created.
It appeared that living was just to much for me. Not when that thing still controlled me. Control… and here I thought I was the one controlling it. It used my shares of Isaac’s soul to free itself and now it’s out there. Free to hunt. Free to kill. Free to feast on human souls.
Someone save me……