-Michael-

Michael stepped deeper into Marut's laboratory; those walls filled with knickknacks and magical items were just as they were before. As Charlie purchased a new staff from Marut, the other twin smiled at Michael, looking as untrustworthy as ever. “Hello, Mr. Hugh Jaynus.” said Harut. Michael’s eyes squinted slightly; he could hear Charlie laughing beside him.

'Kill me now.' he thought.

“Hugh Jaynus?” Charlie repeated with hands that failed to stifle the laugh behind them.

“It’s Michael…” Hearing Michael say this, Harut pitched his head in confusion. “I thought the yellowed-eyed one was Michael…or was it Mike? So many strange names...”

Says 'Harut'.

"No, that’s Mona Lott.” Marut added, once again compelling Charlie to snicker. However, since they'd heard this one before, Charlie was able to contain their laughter.

Kill me now.

Harut's eyes studied Charlie; he couldn't figure out what was so amusing, though he didn't care to investigate further. “Anyway, welcome to our shop. I see you’ve met my brother, Marut. I hope you didn’t let him swindle you.” Harut whispered, covering one side of his mouth with his hand as he leaned toward Michael.

Michael's shoulders lowered along with his brows. “He told me that you were the one that’s a scammer. I somehow take his word over yours.” Michael saying this triggered Harut to place his hand on his chest, recoiling backward with an unhinged jaw as if he were shocked that he of all people would be labeled as something so deplorable.

“Me?” said Harut, scoffing at the ridiculous claim. “I am no swindler!" he said, shaking his head from left to right. "In fact, I can give you a good deal right now!” Harut started digging through his sack of random items, tossing out garbage and gewgaws as he dug further into his abyssal bag. “It’s in here somewhere...”

Michael leaned upward, looking over at the child as he scoured through the bag that was four times his size. “Uh…” Michael uttered. “I have a question. Actually, it’s for both of you.” Harut stopped rummaging and turned toward Michael. Marut propped his arm on his table and placed his chin on his hand, giving Michael his full attention.

“I saw you at the bottom of Tartarus literally five minutes ago.” Michael said, pointing at Harut. “And you, Marut, we just saw you on floor four before the boss fight. How are you two traversing Tartarus so quickly?"

"I didn't even think about that..." Charlie added, studying the two boys with a hand on their chin. "How are you two doing that?"

Harut stepped forward slightly before explaining himself. “Well, time flows differently depending on where you are in Tartarus. Since Marut and I were born in this place, time does not apply to us either. In a way, Marut and I can be everywhere at once. Right now, speaking relatively, I could be at the bottom of Tartarus speaking to someone this instant.”

Marut nodded. “Yup. Right now, I bet I’m prepping some noobs to fight Alecto!”

"Huh?" Charlie muttered. "Wait... But we killed Alecto."

"So you did." said Harut. "However, like us, she transcends time and reality itself, always existing even after a supposed death."

Charlie hummed, tapping their chin on their new scepter. This upgraded version had the same form factor as their previous one, though rather than being made of wood, it looked like porcelain. "So, in a way, there's like an infinite amount of realities happening all at once?"

Harut bobbed his head quickly. "Yes. As I speak to you, I am speaking to others simultaneously. The memories of all of these conversations are stored as if I had just one body."

‘I see… So they’re like NPCs then…’ Michael stated internally.

“Oh, I almost forgot! I stumbled upon this not too long ago.” Harut continued digging into his bag until he came across a magic staff. It was similar to Charlie’s, being made of porcelain and having a gemstone atop it; however, rather than being red, this one was blue. “I noticed from below that you have the potential to become a great magic user. Therefore, it is only appropriate that a mage such as yourself is equipped with a weapon such as this. Has Marut sold you a backpack already? If so, you can carry this alongside your other weapons.” Harut handed the weapon to Michael, allowing him to get a feel for it. It felt slightly weightier than Charlie's wooden one; whether that be a good or bad thing was to be determined.

“Okay, how much is it?” Michael asked, preparing to hear something blasphemous.

“Two hundred and fifty Hell Bucks!” Harut smiled widely in Michael's face as if his cuteness could veil the fact that this was an outrageous price.

“That’s a rip-off!” Michael yelled, slamming the table and causing Harut to jolt.

“Apologies, I was attempting what you humans call a joke.” Harut laughed awkwardly with his hands raised defensively. “I meant twenty-five Hell Bucks.”

Michael was skeptical, remembering what Marut said about his twin being a scammer. Nonetheless, he was willing to fork over the money. “Fine. How do I pay you?”

Michael failed to notice it before, but a tablet was haphazardly attached to the back of Harut's bicycle using what appeared to be dental floss. The child turned the bike and aimed it at Michael, beaming brightly. “Remember that watch I gave you? You can pay using that!”

Michael's eyelids slowly lowered. "I thought you said you didn't know what the watch was for?"

That little shit knew what the watch was the whole time! He only gave it to us as a future investment!

"Well, I wasn't really certain...But remember, it was a free gift! Besides, it has helped you throughout your journey, correct?" Harut smiled awkwardly, rocking side to side with his hands clasped together.

“Whatever... Little crook." Michael placed his wrist next to the tablet and the machine chimed. An animation of a demon laughing played before the screen asked Michael for a tip, just as it did last time when he bought gear from the other twin. At light speed, Michael declined.

“Cheapskate.” Harut whispered, crossing his arms while looking in the opposite direction.

Before Michael could even breathe, Marut was already trying to barter with him, pushing his brother out of the way and sending him crashing into his sack of junk. “Yo, Mr. Michael, I have an offer you can’t refuse. For twenty-five Hell Bucks, I will sell you this mage’s cloak, which gives you a boost to magic damage! And like any other item stored in your backpack, you can instantly switch it out with another, one more suitable for your more melee-oriented bestie, right? I'll even throw in a spell which I will transmogrify into your staff for free!” Marut held up an outfit similar to the one Charlie wore, having a hooded, short cloak with white pants rather than a skirt. It seemed like a good deal on the surface but...

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

This little shit's a scammer too... He's just more subtle about it. I bet that costume is twenty bucks and he's only acting like that spell is free.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing..." Michael said, watching Marut twiddle his fingers excitedly like the little miscreant he was. "I'll take them. I guess."

“Let’s go!” said Marut, pumping his fist as Michael paid via his watch without leaving a tip. Michael simply willed it, and his new outfit was sent into his backpack. Just a second later, the outfit materialized onto his body. As Michael looked himself up and down, feeling the soft material, Mike couldn't help but comment on it.

Awe, how cute. Now you and your girlfriend are matching. You spent your half, give me the body so I can spend mine.

-Mike-

Harut, Marut, and Charlie watched as Mike's posture straightened and his eyes shone golden. Mike crossed his arms, giving them a nice stretch as his leather and chainmail costume materialized, replacing the mage's cloak, and his war hammer appeared in his hands. His eyes then shifted onto the more proper of the two twins, and a devilish grin grew on his face. "You! Give me a weapon better than this one. Preferably something sharp." Mike said as he slammed his war hammer in front of Harut. "And you!" he then pointed at Marut. "Give me a ranged weapon that's better suited for strength and just the weapon. Don't offer me shit else, got it?'

"Yes sir." Both boys said simultaneously before grabbing exactly what Mike had asked for. Within seconds, a sword with a gargantuan blade, one that was bigger than each of the boys' bodies, was laid out atop the table along with a crossbow.

Harut stepped up first, describing his offering. "This is called a greatsword. It's sharp. It's big. It does a lot of damage. It's a simple weapon for a simple man such as yourself."

"You calling me stupid?" Mike asked, though before he could get an answer, Marut described his offering.

"Check it! This crossbow is pretty sweet. It requires strength to use, yet it does half magic damage and half physical damage! Pretty cool, right?"

"I'll give you forty Hell Bucks for both of these." Mike demanded.

"Fifty." said Marut.

"Forty five." Mike added. "Take it or leave it."

"Deal." both twins said simultaneously. Mike paid without tipping, just as his contemporary did before giving his greatsword a few practice swings. "Oh, hell yeah. This will work. Thanks, boys." Mike placed the greatsword over his shoulder, glancing over at Charlie as they sat with their legs crossed atop Marut's table. "Ready to go Charlie?"

"Sure." Charlie hopped off the table and started for their foggy exit alongside Mike; however, the two of them were halted in their tracks by Harut's voice.

"Before you leave, Marut and I have something we would like to tell you." Mike and Charlie turned around, seeing the two boys standing directly behind them as if they'd teleported.

"Yeah, it's about what happens when you reach the top." Marut added.

Mike waited a moment before growing impatient enough to ask, "And that is?"

"Well, Marut and I... We've lost our memories. But for some reason, ever since we've come into contact with you and Hugh Jaynus, our memories seem to be coming back."

The twins began reciting the story, taking turns with each line spoken.

"Pops used to tell us a story."

"The Tartarus Paradox, he called it."

"Two souls in one body."

"The Strength."

"The Magician."

"They ascend Tartarus."

"Even after death."

"They keep climbing."

Charlie and Mike exchanged bewildered glances before looking back at the two boys. Their words were quite cryptic, yet they were curious to learn more.

"Okay..." Mike mumbled. "How does it end?"

"I don't remember..." said Marut, staring aimlessly at Mike as if he were looking through him.

"Neither do I. I believe it was said that the twin souls would expunge the Devil himself."

"We don't remember if it happens..."

"But that was their goal."

Mike's eyebrows furrowed. His weapon dematerialized and he folded his arms across his chest. "So what you're saying is...what's happening to us is all said in some sort of prophecy?"

"Yes," the boys said in unison.

"Am I in the story?" Charlie asked, leaning forward with their fingers interlocked against their chest. Being part of said story would be good news considering Charlie would be journeying with them. At least, that's what Charlie assumed.

Right then, it was as if Marut and Harut had their memories jumpstarted. Their pupils dilated and the two shared a quick glance with one another before their gazes redirected themselves toward Charlie. "Yes..." Marut whispered.

"The Lover." Harut muttered.

The Lover?

Charlie's face turned beet red. "The w...The what!?" The more Charlie thought about it, the more prominent the change in the hue of their face became. 'Lover of who?' they thought. 'Please, God, not Mike!'

"Yes, the Lover." Marut added before he and his brother once again took turns speaking.

"The Magician."

"The Strength."

The brothers then spoke simultaneously. "Together, they vanquish treachery..."

The cogs in Mike's brain were working overtime, such that his head was beginning to ache. "Look, kids. You're saying a lot of words and I have zero clue what any of that means."

"We aren't sure either..." Harut confessed, tapping two fingers together.

"It's foggy." added Marut. He and his brother looked as if they were straining themselves trying to remember, growing frustrated with their inconsistent recollections.

Charlie bent their knees and found themselves at eye level with the boys, smiling gently at them. "It's okay. When it becomes coherent, you can tell us more."

A smile adorned both of the brothers' faces. Once more, they exchanged a quick glance. "Yes." Harut spoke as his head turned toward Mike and Charlie. "Please...Ascend further so we can have our memories back. Perhaps then we could..." Harut paused, though his twin knew exactly what he was thinking.

"We could remember Pop's face."

Charlie curled their lips. In their wildest dreams, Charlie wouldn't have ever thought they'd feel sympathy for a couple of demons. Yet, Charlie could feel tears beginning to form. "We'll keep climbing, don't worry."

"Thank you, Charlie." Marut whispered before he and his brother bid their customers farewell simultaneously. "Goodbye, friends. We hope to see you all soon."

The boys, their belongings, and the entire room faded out of existence, leaving Mike and Charlie all alone once again.

"I almost feel bad for 'em." Mike said quietly. "Even though they creep me out."

"I feel bad for them too..." Charlie agreed, gripping their scepter tightly. "And they aren't creepy. They're cute. You're just mean."

"I am mean." Mike declared, summoning his greatsword and placing it over his right shoulder. "Let's go."

Mike led the way, stepping through the fog door first. Charlie exhaled, "Dick." they whispered before following right behind him, continuing their journey toward the top of Tartarus.