Even the most necessary of evils must be committed for the sake of a better tomorrow. In the blue eyes of Uriel Barron, necessary was a lot more than an understatement. Notwithstanding Demise entangled in his strings, he required more. Stronger villains fed on despair and disrupted the flow of society’s peace. The very epitome of distortion itself.
‘I don’t like monsters. That’s the truth I chose.’
Seated across from one another on opposite beds, the Mastermind of the Syndicate relayed the plan to his red-eyed pawn.
Demise removed the hand from his mouth. “I see. So two are to be my new comrades?” he asked.
Uriel nodded and scratched his chin. “Indeed. No need to worry, they’re quite controllable.”
“Not to be rude, my liege,” Demise’s voice led the Angel to raise his head. “This ‘Sadie’ girl you described sounds… twisted. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but, is there a reason you seem so lax about the idea of controlling her?”
“She and I have a history. As of right now, that’s all I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you more when the time is right. Maybe. Don’t count on it.”
“I understand. What of Marie? Is she not as crazed?” Demise asked.
“She’s quite sane. She should work, you don’t have to worry about her. I’d advise you to get along with her the most.” Uriel placed his hands on his legs and pushed himself up from the bed across from Demise, sliding them smoothly into the dual pockets of his pants.
“Do you know when they’ll be arriving?”
Already having finished walking away from the pawn, Uriel stood in front of the door outside his quarters. Turning around one last time, the Angel paraded a polite smile and put the pointer finger to his lips.
“That’s enough questions for now.”
Closing the door following his exit, Uriel sighed. Satiating the sharp pain plaguing his temples using his open palm, familiar images started flashing through his head. Images—best left forgotten.
It seemed they were always on opposing sides, no matter their placement. A shaky sigh slithered out his mouth. The light from the phone shone onto his face, reminding him of the memories
‘We’ll laugh about this someday.’
Laying flat on his bed… Talen shot up! Feeling his phone’s incessant vibration sink into the covers, the lawyer lazily searched around the mattress before eventually digging under him, staring at the device he was sleeping on and staring at the screen flashing a contact’s name. Rubbing away his hazy vision, Amit recognized Anthony, slowly accepting the call before putting the phone to his ear.
“Hello…?” His groggy voice asked.
“Damn, sounds like you just woke up. Anyway, listen to this: a Professional Enforcer got woke up after being treated at the Metropolitan Center. She says she wants to speak to you. You should get over there as fast as you can… and make sure to floss, I can smell your breath from here.”
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
With that, Tony hung up, leaving Talen to stew in the coldness of his room. Feeling his bones creak with every minuscule movement, the lawyer sat up, groaning while scratching the back of his head on the verge of the mattress and staring down at the wooden floor. Memories of the prior night soared through his conscience, all the while he subconsciously enacted his usual morning routine.
Upon entering the bathroom and using the toilet, he inevitably splashed water into his face. Digging into his eyes to flick out the gunk within, he pushed down his eyelids, noticing the dark circles ingrained underneath.
‘That must be the first night of full sleep I’ve had since I was 16 years old.’
He chuckled, staring at his reflection. ‘I’m so pathetic.’
…
May 14th, 2022. Morning.
The Amit Metropolitan Center is the headquarters for professional Enforcers that use their Fate-manipulating abilities to thwart the malicious schemes of villainous Violators. Founded by Talen’s ancient grandfather of the Amit Family House, Atlas.
A circular building akin to a coliseum fitted with extra buildings on the left and right side for the sake of having dorms for the students, about twenty or so Enforcers flooded the main campus beyond the wide and black metal gate serving as the entrances.
Patiently posted outside the Center’s gate entrance, Anthony sat up, spotting Talen’s figure inch ever closer. He waved over with a soft grin.
“Took you long enough. What kept ya?”
“When I walked outside, I realized how hot it was so I decided to go back in and take off the jacket,” Tal said, holding a joint between two fingers and bringing it to his lips to inhale.
Tony snickered, draping an arm over his friend’s nape. “And here I thought you just wanted to show off!”
“That’s not…” he sighed, defeated. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Talen and Anthony started walking, gazing at the twin buildings that made up the Amit Metropolitan Center. Workers and enforcers alike left and entered, mostly in casual clothing; the minority dressed professionally. Depending on who they passed, the duo would be greeted, leading Talen to roll his eyes as Tony waved back politely.
“You haven’t changed, huh?” Anthony teased.
They finally made their way into the inside, standing before the wide-metal door. Hands pocketed in his red hoodie, Tony’s head turned, watching Talen step forward as a scanner revealed itself from the door and analyzed both Fate-users.
“Recognized. Talen Amit, S01. Anthony Whitlock, S04,” welcomed the automated voice.
Once the doors opened, they were met with the marble-reflective wooden floor of an academy’s ground. Students and faculty walked around casually, younglings chatting amongst their friends, teachers moving with Enforcers beside them.
Talen whistled. “Hasn’t changed a bit,” he said, sipping from his coffee cup.
Tony looked at his friend. “Really? You went here?”
“For a bit. But that was a long time ago. If I remember correctly, the infirmary should be on the third floor. C’mon.”
Strolling through the academic corridor, Talen ignored any greetings, drinking from the coffee one more time until he bypassed a trash can. His hands now at his sides, he made his way upstairs. As Anthony followed from behind, his breaths grew heavier until they reached the fifth floor.
Bending over immediately, Tony held his knees “Isn’t there… an elevator…?”
Talen smirked and glanced at his friend. “That’s what you get for making me get up so early. Here, take this and get two bottles of water. Been a while since I had a workout like that too.”
Once Anthony stood up, the lawyer handed him a bag of coins. The duo continued walking together, the younger of the two noticing the colder shading of the white walls and ceiling. Spotting a vending machine at the hall’s end, Tony sped-walked toward it, rapidly pushing the buttons to produce two drinks of water. While his friend was preoccupied, Talen peeked into the room directly right of the machine.
Then, Amit groaned. To the sound of that irritation, the woman halted. A small smile extended to display the hidden dimples embedded in her cheeks. Refraining from turning around completely, she parted her lips and spoke into the air.
“Well, it certainly has been a while.“ Alora spun around, grinning. “Nice to see you again, Tal.”