2Plague - Chapter 53

“So Lucky isn’t in charge?”  You say - half as a question, but you’re almost sure you’re right.

“Nein, he just likes to think he is.”  Lutz replies.

“So...  Who was that?  Is he in charge?”

“He?  ...  That was a chick.”  Gilen scoffs.

“W--  Really?”

“Yeah...  Lutz is her bitch.”  Gilen mocks, earning a punch from Lutz.  Both Gils then begin to laugh, earning yet more thumps.

“Ahh, jeez!”  Gil retorts.

“Nah...  You asked for that.”  You titter.

“Yes.”  Lutz states bluntly, to move the conversation along, “she is our co-ordinator.”

“And...  What does that mean?”

“She came to us all individually, saying she could win us a new land if we agreed to follow her lead; the land was a new Earth, and she’d let us have a share of the land.  Our world is dying because there are too many conflicts - our citizens are tired and weak, yet we keep attacking each other.

She brought us together and forced us to cooperate if she were to help us...  But, she took a liking to me – Lucky loathes her for it.  She flirts like a Playboy Bunny and I hate her...

When we found out it was a version of ourselves that we’d be fighting, some immediately struck at their gangers, some openly refused to cooperate, and some waited as instructed.

She used Al and his brothers as assassins to wipe out those who wouldn’t work for her; they didn’t question anything.  Something I’ve never understood, especially when I didn’t like what was instructed...  They were ass-holes though, so I bet they enjoyed it.

One thing led to another, and now we’re few in number and, if the rumours are true, unlikely to succeed...  All your fault, I hear.”

“My fault?!”

“She says it’s you whose been murdering us.”

“M---  You were trying to murder us!!!”

“So it’s true?”

“...  Yes, I suppose...  So...  What are these rumours?”

“That you have magic stronger than hers...  It’s why I was sent to kill you.”

“She has magic?  Of course, the portals.  But it can’t be true, I can’t open portals, she must be much stronger than me.”

At this, the brothers become dejected.  There’s a fleeting exchange between them before they stiffen and regain menacing auras – clearly, they thought you were their way out.  Gilen traipses back to his seat, leaving Lutz to maintain conversation.

“But, she seems so put out.  Why would she expend so much effort to thwart you if she didn’t think you were a threat?”  Lutz attempts to change your mind.

Gilen explains:  “We know this is because of some ‘prophecy’:  You would come to us either the most powerful sorceress alive, or not having discovered your magic; either way, if you were to meet with her she’d be defeated.  She has mentioned that there are some circumstances under which the meeting would take place, but has never revealed what that situation involves.”

“Well, it can’t be me...  I’m not the most powerful sorceress alive.”

“Well, you must be...  You have your magic.”

“Guys...  It isn’t me.  Maybe, we should escape; come with us, we can all flee from this horror.”

“Nein, she’ll come after you.  And anyway, only she can make the portals.  Plus, it’s your world they’re trying to conquer.  A terrible plan---”

“Yeah, okay okay, alright alright; I get it, bad plan.”

“The bitch is clever; you’ll have to up your game to have any chance of winning.”

You feel some vessels in your eye burst, ruby blood overflowing across your eye.  You blink hard to keep your tearful eyes from breaching and furrow your brow to harden your look.  Keep it together.

You think of everyone who’s been lost, not that you knew them well, but you’ve come to know those close to them.  You think of how it might feel to lose someone; how it felt to lose Ludwig.  From that, how you would feel if you were to lose Arthur or anyone back home.

Arthur.

What would he say now? “Stay calm, love.  You have many a trick up your sleeve.” Of course he would. “Come on, list them off.” I can set a fire to warm myself and light a room...  So sarcasm, much amaze. “Now, love, think about it.” I can-; I don’t know...  Set traps through the air. “Good, but think bigger.” Resist heat? “Better.  Here, let me remind you:

You can defeat a dragon, and though you didn’t technically change yourself, you felt how to transform yourself into one too, through Vladimir.
Your speed and strength are heightened.
You can walk through the air on sheet fire.
You can move objects with your mind.
Heal the wounded.
Control the weather.
Deflect bullets.
Slow down time itself.
Read someone else’s mind.
Teleport yourself and others.
And even raise the dead.

Give yourself credit, love.  You deserve it.”

Well, Arthur seems to believe in you.

“I’m sorry.”  You shame.

“Why do you say that?”

“I haven’t exactly been on the ball; this place feels strange to me.”  You admit.  You blink hard again and look to Lutz.  “Here, let me fix up your face.”

“Just do it.”  Gil sighs, at Lutz’ befuddled expression.  Lutz turns to let you closer, and Gilen rises to a menacingly close position, obviously threatening against any trickery.  The now crisping blood falls loose from his cheek, flourishing (eye/c) embers swirling beneath his skin.  The skin knits together neatly but leaves a needle scar in its place.

Confused, you look to Gil, who looks slightly concerned.  “That doesn’t normally happen.”

“What?”

“There normally isn’t any scarring.”

“That bitch.”  Lutz proclaims.  “You’re not from this universe; your magic must be compromised.”

“No...  That can’t be right.  I healed Sadik and Gil earlier and they’re not scarred.”  There’s a pause while everyone thinks.  Then, you continue, “Actually...  You might be half right.  Sadik and Gil are from our universe, but you’re not...  Which begs the question:  If my magic is limited towards anyone not from my own universe, how on Earth can I defeat this person?”