Familiar voice: Like I said... You're not escaping so easily. Welcome back.

Carried by the soothing current of the cradle of the world, all pain had left him. Chaos replaced by tranquillity, Virno tried to enjoy the momentary peace, however fleeting it could be.

Familiar voice: So that is how it's going to be...? You're just going to lay there?

A glowing humanoid silhouette hovered on top of him. Its green hue was unmistakable, yet it seemed different from before. What was once a humanoid amalgam of particles now seemed far more corporeal... Far more human.

Greed (Familiar voice): You haven't died. Not yet.

Struggling to ignore him, Virno sighs as he tunes back into the world around him.

Virno: And what does it matter...? My sword arm's gone. As for the rest of my limbs... I cannot even move them. Even if I somehow manage to beat him... I've already lost.

Greed: Quit whining, I told you there'd be a price to pay... But it's not like the damage is irreparable. Your right hand's gone for good, sure... Though you've still your other one. Your legs and other arm will heal. They won't be as mobile as they were before... But that is what you should expect when evoking power beyond your limits.

Virno rises from the water, standing up. Though the river seemed deep when carried by the current, he was somehow able to walk on his two feet as if the water was merely at ankle-height.

Virno: And even power beyond my limits could not kill that thing... Thanks for nothing, Greed.

He walks over to a nearby building, sitting on its stairs. Curiously, there was but a single lit room in the entire building.

Greed: Perhaps not... But it brought you closer.

Virno: Closer how...? Didn't you see it regenerate fully? I can't just grow my limbs back like that... It's as good as new. Meanwhile, I'm curled up in a ball of blood and agony.

Greed: The important part being the agony. Did you not see what it did, as soon as it acknowledged your suffering? It tried to soothe it, by numbing the pain in your freshly-severed arm. It cannot stand suffering... Pain is poison to it.

Virno, who was pensively staring at the river's flow, now focuses his attention on Greed, who was standing at the bottom of the stairs, facing him.

Virno: Yeah? Why not kill me, then? That'd end my suffering immediately.

Greed: Maybe because it's not supposed to. You are wanted by at least two different factions... Each of them interested in using you for their own gain. The Owl, no different.

Virno: Leave the old man out of this... He's left that life behind already.

Greed shakes his head, in disapproval.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Greed: You trust too much, von Virtus.

Virno: Maybe I do... Maybe I shouldn't even be giving you the time of day.

Standing up, Virno starts making his way down the stairs.

Greed: Oh? You seem to know where you're going... If I didn't know any better, I'd say you know a way out.

Virno: I don't, but you do. Get me out of here, I have to get back.

Greed: And then what, exactly?

Virno: If what you're saying is right... Pain is its weakness. Well, I can imagine plenty of different ways of inflicting pain upon myself.

Greed laughs.

Greed: You are something else... The way you're willing to use your body as a mere tool to achieve your goal is almost... Inhuman.

Virno: The body is a tool, and tools are meant to be used. What else would you do with it...?

Greed: An awfully important tool... Perhaps you ought to be more careful with it. I'd imagine after what just happened, you'd have learned some type of lesson.

Virno: Some type of lesson...?

Virno steps closer to Greed, angrily.

Virno: Don't take me for a fool. Think I don't know this is exactly what you wanted...? To corner me, force me to use your powers in a dire situation... To show me a glimpse of what lies in wait, to make sure I'm hooked. To make sure that, whatever happens, I won't stop until I taste more of it. Wouldn't be surprised if you were the one who got that thing on our tail to begin with... Awfully convenient that, only after using your powers and putting myself at the brink of death, do I stand any chance of defeating it.

Changing his form to match Virno's, Greed's facial expressions were now plain to see -- squinting with one eyebrow raised, he seemed utterly stupefied by Virno's accusations.

Greed: Aren't we quick to jump to conclusions... So quick-witted in some situations, yet so remiss in others. If the identity culprit behind Nox's hound sniffing you out is cause for concern, then look no further than the image before your eyes.

As he says this, he points at his own body, a perfect reflection of Virno's.

Greed: Did you not accompany the Owl to refill that contraption's energy...? Did you not sit in awe as his magics wowed you, completely oblivious to the fact that by concentrating so much magic in a singular place, you effectively created not just an extremely efficient fuel source, but also the perfect tracker for anyone capable of so much as sensing powerful magic to find you...?

He steps closer to Virno, as well.

Greed: You put a target on your backs with that move... Wouldn't surprise me if Nox's henchman could sense you from half a world's distance away. So maybe think twice before defending the Owl...

Virno: W-what are you implying...?! That he did it on purpose?

Greed crosses his arms, shaking his head.

Greed: Nothing so drastic... I don't believe him to be a double agent. But I do believe him to be old and weak. A careless mistake like that should be impossible for someone like him to make, unless his mental faculties are in decline already...

Virno: Yet yours seem as sharp as ever. So sharp, yet you couldn't have warned me sooner?

Greed: How? How am I to warn you if you voluntarily shut me out and only call me when you need me?!

Virno: Well, if you didn't keep haunting me with images and prophecies of my family and friends' deaths, perhaps I wouldn't have to shut you out!

Greed: The audacity...! Do you realize how fortunate you are?! Do you realize the power that awaits you? You are nothing but an ingrate! A miserable human who would shun the call of duty to live a meaningless, empty life in some corrupt city's slums!

Virno: What does it matter if it's meaningless or empty?! It's MINE! I NEVER ASKED FOR ANY CURSE! I NEVER ASKED FOR MY FATHER TO BE TAKEN AWAY AND FOR MY FAMILY TO BE TORN APART...!

Noticing the tears welling in Virno's eyes, Greed refrained from retorting.

Greed: I suppose not. Come...

He starts making his way up the stairs that lead to the building's entrance.

Virno: W-where are you going?!

Greed: You want to leave, put an end to your foe, correct? Well, there's someone you should see. Someone who'll help you do just that. Your heart's in the right place... But, unfortunately, physical pain won't be enough to kill it.

Virno's heart skipped a beat, as a great sense of foreboding came over him... Just who could this person be?