"I've known Vincent since the day he was born. His brother and I grew up together. Best friend I ever had," Alex said, standing over Rafferty now.

Guitar. Vincent said his brother played the guitar.

Rafferty's sword lay on the floor next to her. Alex put one foot on it, and slid it over toward Vincent.

"Now Vincent is no scientist. I think we all know that. But sometimes, he has the best ideas. I think maybe it's because he talks all the time. Something has to land, right? Anyway, I said that because I wanted you to know that, in a broader sense, everything that is happening right now is his idea," Alex went on.

Rafferty looked over at Vincent again. He looked away.

"I'm going to make a confession. The God stuff—the all-powerful wipe your enemies off the face of the earth stuff—we're almost out. There was only so much. That's why today's festivities had to be so memorable. But that's all right, because after today, no more demonstrations will be necessary. No one will ever mess with us.

But there's one enemy that can't be kept in line with threats. One more thing for my people to be afraid of, and if Uncle Alex is going to keep his promises, and he always does, then he has to keep them safe from that too. That's where you come in, Sparkles. Vincent convinced me that I needed a Hunter of my very, very own, and I realized he was absolutely right," Alex said.

"So you want me to kill stuff for you?" asked Rafferty.

"I've got plenty of people who will kill for me. I just need you to fight the Gods. You were going to do that anyway. And I'll let you do it in style. No rules. No restrictions. No sharing the glory. I've seen it in your eyes. You're a warrior. I'll let you be one all the way. Rafferty the Relentless. The GodSlayer. The Destroyer. My grandchildren's grandchildren will make swords of out sticks and pretend to be you," Alex said.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Rafferty laughed, just a little.

"Your whole amazing plan hinges on me saying yes to a total dick. You're crazy," she said it softly, part of her was still very far away.

"I'm a trailblazer, but you wouldn't be the first to confuse the two. What that means, though, is that I will do anything to make the world that I see in my head. Do you think there's any bridge i won't burn, town I won't raze, or any amount of skin I won't peel from your bitch face to protect my people. My people! You want to say no? I've got other ideas. I think you know what they are. You've met Calamity. We did that with one tiny hair off your head. Imagine what we'll do when we've got the whole sack of meat," he said, pointing the gun in her face, as he reached down and traced his finger along her jaw.

"But, look, I'm an equal opportunity despot. I hold no grudges. Anyone who wants to render unto Alex will be given every chance to render. There's plenty of room under the umbrella for everybody. We can inspire a generation to stop being afraid of monsters, crawl out of hiding, and build a civilization worth remembering. I'm remaking the world in my image, Sparkles, and I'm offering you a primo seat. You'll even have Vincent. He's really fallen in love with you, even though you wasn't supposed to. Now that everything's out in the open, there's no reason for you not to be together. And, in all honesty, I may have promised he'd get to keep you," Alex said with laugh.

"All you have to do is say yes, Sparkles. But if you're not ready to do that yet, maybe you need a little more time in my workshop."

He was going to lean over and touch her again, Rafferty was nearly certain. When he did, she would activate her bracelets, and shove her hand into his face as hard as she could. Hopefully, she'd push some bone fragments into his brain. Alex would probably shoot her right between the eyes while she did it, but part of Rafferty thought that might be all right, because at least she wouldn't have to talk to Vincent.

"Her name isn't Sparkles," said Vincent from her left. Rafferty looked up, and saw that he was pointing his gun at Alex. Alex backed up a step, seemed to be assessing the situation.

Vincent looked down at Rafferty.

"My brother, the one I told you about. Alex killed him. And this isn't Alex's plan. It's mine," he said, and fired his gun.

Rafferty thought the shot hit Alex in the gut. Alex staggered around the corner of the nearest row of plants, firing his gun twice at the same time. Vincent fell to the ground. When he sat up, he was pressing his hand on his stomach, blood leaking between his fingers.

"Well this is just great," said Alex from his hiding spot. "What's the plan now, Vincent? We just chat while we all bleed out?"