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zelphin124 · 7 months ago

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LCB-3 -> Canto 1: Chapter 9

Is making a false deal with the enemy the right thing to do? This took way too long to get out, I apologize for the inconvenience. I have the next three session notes, hopefully after my papers I can get them out to you all. Masterpost Chapter 8 <--> Chapter 10

~o0o~

Jekyll glanced down at her hands, gripping the moonstone rings to use their last bit of power to force Hyde back.

She grunted. What the hell?

Mallo stepped over the dead body before turning toward the group, adjusting the black hair that fell from her face to rest behind her shoulders. “We should search for the ace of cards,” she recommended. “I believe the closest one of the cards is that way.”

“It’s possible,” Lenore tapped her glaive on the ground. “But collecting them could very much be a bad thing.”

“If we find the ace and don’t place it on the deck, it could benefit us,” Mallo countered. “We leave it on the body we find it on.”

The two black-haired women continued conversing about the cards as they walked straight into the room before them. They argued, reconciled, and argued again about the possible outcomes.

Jekyll stared at the moonstones, zoning out and not paying attention to the world around her. Guilt gripped her heart. Why did I torture that man with my EGO?

Why not? Hyde objected.

He would’ve… died either way…

Hyde rolled her eyes before cackling. Come on, we placed fear in the hearts of our allies. They will know not to cross us. We need to use that drug more in combat; it gives us an advantage.

“So, I have good news, weird news, and bad news,” Mallo walked back into the room behind Lenore, closing the door. “The good news… is I found a card.” She flipped it in her hands. “The bad news is it’s not the ace. But the weird news is, it’s the nine of hearts that dusted in my hands earlier.” She glanced around the room as everyone stared back at her. Her shoulders slouched. “Who has the cards?”

Jekyll snapped out of her mind. “I have the cards,” she stepped forward. “Give them to me, Mallo.”

Mallo didn’t hesitate and placed the card in Jekyll’s outstretched hand carefully. She strained to keep her head up. “Keep them safe.” She muttered.

Dante still has that card.

Jekyll turned toward the manager, watching the flames flicker on his head. “Dante?” She stepped forward with her arm stretched out again. “The card, please.”

Dante took a step back, his flames getting dimmer across the pink crown around his head. “Can you handle it–”

“Dante.” Jekyll stepped forward again. “Yes, I can handle it. Give it to me.” She wasn’t asking, nor did she want to sound like it was an option for the manager. Despite her anger against him, it was her job to protect him, and this was the best way she knew how.

Dante handed the king of hearts over, not saying nor confirming anything after that. To Jekyll’s relief, it looked the same, but the card had had an uneasy warmth to it as if it was just printed, and the ink had not settled.

“There is more that way,” Dante stammered, pointing to the left door. “All we need is the queen and the ace, hopefully, those can remove the crowns. Mallo, can you lead the way?”

Mallo opened the left door, allowing the party to go in before her. One by one, each member of the party stepped into the next room, leaving the rotting bodies of the deceased on the floor. “You coming, Ms. Jekyll?” Jatayu was the last one to go in as he spoke gently.

One day they will call me Dr. Jekyll… Jekyll pulled out the cards in her pocket and filed the new cards on top of them, shuffling them to be in order. She nodded in response before entering the next room.

Everyone stopped next to the door to wait for Dante, and no one moved on. Jekyll glanced around before she stood in the middle of the next room, wondering why no one was moving.

They’re taking forever. Let’s move on ourselves. Hyde suggested, pointing towards the door in front of it.

Jekyll tried to make a mental map of where they had gone; it was like the rooms were a grid, and they were moving like chess pieces with no idea what was on the next square. However, staying with the party didn’t seem like the best idea. Jekyll needed some time to think about all that happened in the past few days. Or… was it days? Maybe it’s only been a few hours… It’s very hard to tell the time in this broken-down facility.

Regardless, a lot has happened, Hyde groaned. Keep moving. I’d like to talk to you in private.

Jekyll obliged, continuing on to the next room. But you already talk to me in private–

When her eyes adjusted to the darkness in the next room toward the left hall, she immediately regretted her decision to continue. Jekyll came face-to-face with a familiar drone; the one her party fought while she was changing IDs. Blood trickled into the cobble across the floor, and two dead bodies lay in front of the doctor’s feet. The drone appeared to have finished scanning the bodies before it turned its purple eye toward Jekyll. A familiar, high-pitched chaotic laughter rang through its voice box.

Crap! Jekyll panicked, about to run. We–

“Mmm~ you’re not in uniform… and it appears you don’t have any augments. You’re not one of my demon syndicate members, are you?” It rolled its tone of voice like it was shrilling with delight. Curiosity dripped from whoever spoke behind the drone.

Wait, she doesn’t recognize us, Hyde stepped in immediately, having assessed the situation. We can get out of this, greet her.

Jekyll gulped and sheepishly raised her hand to wave. “Hi.”

Hyde visibly smashed her head in Jekyll’s mind.

The drone whirled before going silent. “Is… Is that all you’re going to say?”

Jekyll stammered over her words, trying to figure out what to do. “I… uh…”

We took a wrong turn, start with that as I come up with a story. Hyde glanced around, and despite not being able to see much out of Jekyll’s eye, she began to plot. Jekyll had no choice but to trust Hyde to ease the situation as the tension rose.

“I think I took a wrong turn…?” Jekyll began, forcing her breathing to slow as she would with her therapy clients. “What’s your name?”

The drone laughed curiously. “How can you take so many wrong turns and end up in one of the most dangerous places in this city?”

Oh! Remember how Danves talked about people looting places they shouldn’t? Delvers and adventurers were interested in the loot of lobotomy corporations, use that. Hyde suggested.

Jekyll nodded and took a deep breath. “Uh… I-I was tasked by my boss to find some loot in this facility. I didn’t mean to intrude on your business, I just got lost in the maze.”

You did not need to apologize, Jekyll. Do not show weakness.

“Are you someone who works with, or belongs to a boss that these poor saps did?” The ball-shaped drone flew down to the floor, shining a light on the beheaded corpses.

The cards would be on these red bodies, Jekyll guessed.

Yes, but focus on the immediate threat. Hyde expressed her urgency through her tone. Tell her we came to collect loot off of them. It’ll throw them off and disassociate us with them.

And it’s not entirely false either… Jekyll glanced back at the drone. “No… part of my job was to collect the loot on these guys.”

The doctor watched the drone move very carefully, forcing her every breath to be still and quiet; under her control. Her heart pounded, which fueled her fear, but also her need to fight the drone and stab it through the eye.

Hyde, stop influencing my desires.

Idiot, I didn’t do anything. Stay focused.

“Oh,” the drone trilled, the woman behind the drone chuckling under her breath. “Do you happen to have some sort of guess on the loot you are looking for?”

“Well, on these bodies in particular,” Jekyll placed a professional look on her face, pointing at the dead bodies. “These people have ahn and cards, but I don’t think that is what my boss is looking for… have you seen anything?”

“I have seen many things, friend,” the drone flew to face Jekyll in the eye, its purple scanner going over her face. “Do you mind if I call you friend?”

Jekyll resisted the urge to push the drone away. She scratched the back of her head, adjusting her black hair in a bun. “I don’t see why not,” she paused, not continuing until she had Hyde’s approval. She added a smile to her complexion. “We’ve become quite acquainted. What should I refer to you as, ma’am?”

The woman’s voice became deathly lower. “Call me… The Night Maker.”

Lame name, Hyde snorted. What is this? Code name 101?

“Alright, Ms. Night Maker,” Jekyll finished adjusting her bun, letting it lay looser on her neck. She tried to be manipulative like Hyde. “Coming down to business… do you mind if I search these bodies?” She felt the heat of the drone’s stare and swallowed hard. “Or is that not okay with you?”

Don’t care about what the drone thinks, your shyness is as visible as fire in the dark. Hyde rolled her eyes.

The drone didn’t pick up on it. “Only if I can ask you something in return.”

“And what might that be?”

The drone whirled in delight. “An answer to a choice I will give you,” the drone backed up, flickering in the violet light it produced. “Would you mind quitting your job and joining me? I have two positions that would be open for you~”

Jekyll opened her mouth to immediately decline, but Hyde stopped her. No, wait… hear her out. Hyde suggested.

Jekyll recalled the many times Hyde used this tactic before and decided it would be best to follow it. “Is it possible for you to elaborate on these… jobs? I really love specifics.”

The drone laughed once more. “It’s surprising to hear someone from the ring asking for specifics, seeing your paintbrush.”

About time, Hyde rolled her eyes. It’s quite a signature weapon to the finger.

“I can indulge you. The first job I have to offer is to join us. We are like a family here in the demon syndicate.”

Jekyll forced herself not to flinch at the word ‘family.’ Ah yes… the blood-soaked word…

If I remember correctly, Hyde smirked with glee. Jatayu is against these people because they tore his family apart… literally. She laughed.

Jekyll shuddered. We made a promise to help him defeat these guys.

She’s giving you free information, Hyde stopped her laughter before her tone snapped with anger. Pay attention.

“Are there any objections to that offer?” The drone inquired, noticing her silence.

Jekyll adjusted her paintbrush as she looked at the ground. Although two of the bodies were decapitated Maut employees, one of them was a soul-sapped demon syndicate. So much for the term family.

They’re just like our family.

Jekyll made her voice clear. “Perhaps I shall state my opinions after you state your second job,” she stared at the drone, forcing a smile. “I have to consider all my options, no?”

“The second job is being a test subject, and I think you are just right for the job,” the drone laughed chaotically; it was clear it had malicious intent.

“What kind of test?” Jekyll pressed, hoping for any new information.

“I can’t just be giving that information out to someone else, outside of our syndicate,” the drone declined much to Jekyll’s dismay. “But if you live, you will be greatly rewarded~”

Let me take over. Hyde smirked. I know how to deal with people like her.

Jekyll sighed. Very well… but only for a little bit.

Hyde took the reigns and changed her posture to the proud, confident stance she usually stood in. “You know, as much as I would love to consider partaking in your lovely family, I’m afraid I do have a contract to complete that I am bound to.” Hyde smiled gently as she bowed toward the drone. “The Ring doesn’t take lightly to contract breakers, after all.”

To Jekyll’s surprise, the drone immediately bought into Hyde’s coy humility. “Would you believe we have done business with the Ring before?” She asked.

Jekyll tried to fight for control again. Have they?

Hyde seemed upset she couldn’t mess with the drone more, but obliged and laid low. Yes. They have conversed with us before. The Ring sometimes purchased some of their services to get hard-to-obtain art supplies.

What?

They kidnapped people for us, Jekyll. And we used their guts and blood for our art.

“Y-Yes, I think I remember now,” Jekyll did her best to keep the sly tone Hyde had. She’d rather try to reason with the drone instead of getting into trouble, as Hyde tended to do anywhere else but the Ring.

Hyde wouldn’t budge. Come on, I know what to say.

But–

Jekyll. Let me handle this.

Jekyll glanced behind her, wondering where the rest of the party was. A part of her prayed that they would come to rescue her, but another part of her wished they would stay back as she avoided a conflict. She went with the latter, trusting Hyde to do the job. You’ve… saved me from situations before, unlike the rest of the party…

Hyde pounced on the opportunity. “How about this?” The alluring persuasion came naturally to Hyde as she spoke to the woman behind the drone. “You let me loot these bodies for my boss, and I can put in a good word for you in the Ring. It wouldn’t be too hard to negotiate… I don’t know, doubling your pay, perhaps?”

Jekyll couldn’t fathom how it would work, but it did. She stood in the back of their mind, astonished as the drone bought into Hyde’s deception.

“That sounds like the most lovely idea!” The drone gleefully chuckled, twirling in a circle. “I can take you up on that.”

Jekyll took a step back as the drone flew down to one of the corpses. It flew down to the first beheaded body as a latch under its eye opened. A dark mist escaped its crevices as a few saws extended from the drone. They quickly cut open the body and turned it into shambles. The corpses' blood and water separated immediately upon being torn apart, and as the pieces of the body were cast aside, all that was left was the loot in their pockets: the ahn and the cards.

Jekyll weaved her hands through the dismembered rubble as if it was normal practice for her. She picked up the two cards on the now two torn-apart corpses. It’s the queen and the ace. Jekyll pulled out the rest of the deck and filed them together.

As the cards rested in her hands in order, they immediately faded between her fingers, forming the blood that dripped from her palms. The mass amount of blood slipped between Jekyll’s fingers and onto the floor once more.

Such a vibrant red… Hyde stared in awe. Let’s collect it.

“Well, are you going to take them?” The drone was in front of the doctor, holding up bloodied scraps of the corpses’ bodies.

Jekyll pulled out vials and jars from her coat, seizing the scraps and sealing them safely. “Thank you, Night Maker. I shall put in a good word for your future endeavors with the Ring. Do you have a specific section you prefer?”

“I've worked for students and docents, and a few maestros, too~” The drone hummed gleefully. “I’ve worked for the Ring all across The City.”

To be connected with all the maestros is a big fleet, I thought… Jekyll furrowed her eyes.

Hyde agreed. It is. It took me forever to do that myself.

“I see, you must be very resourceful,” Jekyll chose her words carefully as she collected the vibrant red blood into jars before sealing it in different vials.

The drone cooed, rolling over its speech. “One must be when they are helping a great and powerful person build the next era!”

Hyde stopped, turning her attention to the drone. Wait… That’s important. That’s information we can use.

Jekyll wiped her hands with a red cloth, trying to come off as disinterested. “What next era?”

The drone chuckled. “I would tell you more, but it doesn’t seem you’re coming to join us any time soon, so I will not share more with you.” It whirled around, scanning the floor. “Do you need more corpses? There is plenty here. If not, shall we consider getting you out of here?”

Jekyll stopped for a moment. Hyde, what do I do? We have to stay!

The painter snapped her fingers in Jekyll’s mind. Inform her of the long process of collecting blood on the floor.

“Well, retracting, purifying, and containing stained blood on hard surfaces like these takes too long,” Jekyll smiled gently. “I can collect it here, there’s no need to wait on me. Please, I don’t mean to waste any more of your time.”

The drone’s voice became low and threatening. “Please, get out of here,” it demanded. “You got what you came for, didn’t you?”

Hyde thought of a solution faster than Jekyll could ask for one. The lack of blood in the facility… we haven’t filled up all our jars yet for the next painting.

“There’s… actually been a lack of blood in the facility, with all the bodies I found…” Jekyll proposed, staring at the floor. “This is the first room I’ve seen blood in abundance. If there is another place in the facility I can collect it, I will leave to go there.”

The drone whirled in bewilderment and shock. “Not enough blood?!” The woman roared. “Have you not seen the–” she stopped. The silence was terrifying. There was a soft cackle before the woman spoke again. “You know, I might have something that will impress you! Come, follow me, my friend!”

Hyde narrowed her eyes. This is a trap.

Jekyll felt compelled to follow the drone, an obligation that she didn’t feel as if she had a choice in. In fact, one could’ve said an invisible force made her comply. I… I have to go with her. It would blow our cover, and I can’t stop my feet.

Ready your paintbrush, Hyde thought cautiously. Looks like someone is not getting their deal.

Will… Will Dante be mad we conversed with them?

Nonsense. We gained valuable information! Hyde scoffed. We fooled them, we have the advantage.

As the drone entered the room facing north, Jekyll realized she had come to the end of the maze of rooms. The violet tints were washed away in the thick stench of blood that covered the floor like a carpet. The room was similar to that of the White Lake’s: a containment room. Before the doctor sat a being she immediately guessed was another abnormality, which fit the descriptions of the ‘Red Queen’ incredibly well.

A bright pink crown rested on the skull-like head. The face was heart-shaped and was lean and white. In the center of the face was a crack which opened to reveal its large, red eye. It had long white clothing around its head and neck, similar to other royalty clothing, and was held by a golden clasp on its chest. The abnormality possessed no arms; it sat upright in a black and white striped chair with its round base being the only leg. Its chest was red and was covered in a silky cloak of blood.

Its gaze was focused on a demon syndicate just in front of Jekyll as she and the drone entered the room. He flailed his arms about wildly as if trying to perform some type of dance. Tears streamed down his face and damped his blonde curly hair. “Please, let me stop, please!” He begged, sobs escaping his quivering lips.

The queen said nothing as she stared at him. It looked like he had been doing that for hours. He collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath as his body gave way.

Weak. Hyde looked down upon the man, watching him tremble in fear.

The red eye on the abnormality started to glow. The man looked up in horror. “No, no, please! No!”

A bright red flash filled the room. As soon as it came, the blinding light left. What was left of its effect was the demon syndicate member’s head being cleanly removed from its body as if he was executed. It rolled across the blood-soaked floor under the queen’s floating seat, where many other human heads rested.

Hyde was not amused. How wasteful.

“This thing should help quite nicely with your quota for blood,” the drone cooed, laughing maliciously.

Jekyll raised her eyebrow, suppressing her fear as much as possible as she tore her gaze away from the pile of heads. “Can I collect the blood in the other room before I start here?” She sighed in relief that her voice didn’t quiver from fright.

“That depends on what she says,” the drone gestured to the abnormality. The drone didn’t take another moment to say or wish for anything else; she exited through the right door; there never seemed to be an end to the possible doors to venture into. Regardless, the drone left Jekyll alone with the abnormality, and it was staring right at her.

Its face was stoic; it did not appear to have a mouth. However, it gave off the vibe that it was going to attack, as all abnormalities did thus far.

“Greetings, how may I assist you today?” Jekyll bowed her head low, showing respect.

The monster did not react at all.

Eh, let’s just kill it already. Hyde urged, forcing Jekyll’s hands.

Jekyll yelped, trying to stop herself as her instincts took over and she flung the brush across the abnormality’s torso in a skilled attack.

It didn’t even leave a scratch.

Jekyll felt like she was slowly losing her mind, and Hyde was gaining more control. She stepped back, stunned with fear. Hyde! You just angered it!

She wasn’t wrong. The abnormality’s gaze became darker as a red heart was flung toward her. Jekyll’s arms moved before she could process what was happening; Hyde had blocked the attack skillfully.

We… we have to entertain it! Jekyll breathed faster, starting to hyperventilate.

Relax, it’s probably just its effect, Hyde sighed, clearly annoyed. Let me take care of this. You saw how well I did back there, why can’t you trust me?

Hyde, the last time you faced an abnormality you sided with it and corroded! Jekyll backed up, trying to make herself small in the gaze of the abnormality. I do NOT trust you!

Pathetic. Hyde sat back. It’s your death, anyway. Let me know when you want me to save your life again.

The door opened behind the doctor; Pen and Lenore waltzed into the room before immediately spotting the queen. Pen had an ID equipped; Jekyll thought it was something related to R Corp. “Heh… commencing rabbit protocol,” a robotic voice sounded from his mask.

Jekyll glanced towards Lenore, unable to observe her current ID in a state of panic. “It’s not taking any damage from my attacks!” She cried.

“Hippity hop, don’t stop till it drops!” Pen ignored Jekyll’s comment, setting up his equipment to attack.

Jekyll was about to repeat herself before she was cut off by a loud shout.

“There’s so many dead people in here!” Jatayu’s voice carried through the hall. It was clear he was in the previous room with the dismembered corpses. “Did you do this, Mallo?!”

“Yeah, it was me,” Jekyll could tell she was grinning by her tone. “They annoyed me, so I got rid of them.”

Jatayu didn’t object. “Impressive, I will not get on your bad side.”

So they are both idiots, Hyde commented.

“You’re not, don’t worry,” Mallo said. “Looks like the other party members are in combat in that room.”

Jatayu nodded. “Let’s move, then!”

“I’m going to switch IDs, give me a moment.”

Jatayu’s footsteps were heard before he entered the room. “Right, what are we fighting?”

“That monster,” Pen replied, pointing at the angry queen.

“It’s the queen of hearts!” Jekyll stammered. “Or… the red queen! I don’t know! That thing! And it’s not taking any damage!”

Jatayu glanced over his shoulder to see Mark entering the room with a blue-clothed ID. He grunted. “Well, let’s make sure this doesn’t get messy.”

“Messy?” Jekyll started, unable to control her wavering voice as she entered into a state of panic. “It doesn’t take–”

No one listened to Jekyll as everyone prepared for combat. The doctor knew she had to entertain it somehow, but what would it find entertaining? There’s blood on the floor… maybe my painting skills will impress it!

Hyde scoffed. Jekyll, no, that’s not–

Jekyll didn’t listen. She scraped some of the blood off the floor before pouring it on her brush and painting an abstract picture on the wall. It took her a bit, and she was well aware that she looked insane whilst doing so. When she finished, she stared down the queen, hoping it would please her.

The queen scoffed at the painting, and the gaze upon the doctor hardened. It was displeased, and it only instilled fear in Jekyll even more.

But… Jekyll glanced at her quick painting. But I thought–

Who said we had to please it? Hyde snapped. You’re an idiot.

The abnormality flung another red heart at Jekyll; she managed to block it, but it was no use. What do I do?

It wants a very niche thing to be entertained… Hyde laughed. We could give it something it has never seen before~

…What?

Lenore and Pen shot forward, trying to attack the abnormality. They were met with the same no damage Jekyll faced.

Did I not tell them no damage would be dealt?! Jekyll barely held herself together. Why doesn’t anybody listen?

Woah, Jekyll, Hyde smirked, gently pulling Jekyll back. Take a moment to breathe, and calm yourself. I will take care of the issue while you do so.

Unable to think straight, Jekyll obliged, and Hyde fronted immediately.

Hyde shifted the monocle to cover her brown eye and reveal her red one to adjust her vision. She inhaled a deep breath as she smiled, glad to be the one in control once more. It’s alright, breathe, Jekyll. Her comfort was never sincere and was always for her benefit.

Mallo finally entered the room, having an ID Hyde didn’t immediately recognize. “Ah, that’s the one I read about in the files,” she sneered at the abnormality. “Ms. decapitator.”

“Is the the Red Queen or the Queen of Hearts?” Pen didn’t turn to face Mallo, but it was clear the question was for her.

“It’s called the Red Queen,” Mallo confirmed. “And it always wants something new to entertain itself… something it hadn’t seen before.”

Hyde tried to open her mouth to speak, but the queen’s glare became harsher as she did. No sound came out of her vocals. She grunted. Really? Mute again? Are you serious right now?

Oh no, it’s happening again, Jekyll panicked.

I’m still in control, Hyde narrowed her eyes back at the queen. No one scoffs at my paintings and lives.

“Anyone have any ideas?” Mallo gestured to the party.

“It seems to be affiliating with Jekyll, somehow,” Jatayu pointed out, watching its gaze not leave the painter.

Mallo strolled over to Jekyll, seemingly unbothered that the queen prepared to attack again. “Jekyll, listen, okay? It wants something unique from you–”

Hyde turned around to face Mallo, grinning wildly as she adjusted her hair to fall to her waist, out of its bun.

“Ah, Hyde,” Mallo flattened her face, her tone becoming more awkward. “You two have a unique experience, and it’s likely the queen hasn’t seen something like you before. You know, with you two being two different people, but sharing the same body…”

Hyde raised an eyebrow. Are you serious?

Mallo continued, not meeting Hyde’s eyes. “That is something unique you can give this abnormality. Out of the list of possible things it has seen, that wasn’t on it, and it’s unique to you.”

And how do you wish for me to… show that? Hyde sighed, motioning to her mouth.

“Consider my idea,” Mallo reassured. “Give it something it hasn’t seen before. The file says what it wishes to see changes frequently, and it’s seen a lot.”

Has it seen ego? Jekyll asked, pulling herself together.

Hyde’s eyes lit up. I guarantee it has not experienced the sensation of split shards.

Jatayu finally voiced Jekyll’s thoughts. “Attacking it won’t help–”

Mark lunged for the abnormality, attacking it. As expected, it did no damage to it, and it only made the queen more angry. He stared in shock as he backed away.

The queen’s eye glowed a dangerous red glow; Hyde recognized it as the same shade the syndicate member got decapitated with. Its gaze was locked on Hyde.

Oh, we’re going to die! Jekyll cried, closing her eyes. I can’t watch it!

Nah, Hyde opened up her jacket and pulled out the drug vial. She popped it open and simmered two drops of it on the tip of her brush. It wants to be shown something it hasn’t seen before. We shall give it its desire.

Jekyll peeked through her hands. You don’t mean—

Hyde quickly slid to the side as the bright red flash filled the room. The large, sharp heart meant to decapitate Hyde missed by a long shot. She didn’t miss a beat as she moved away and toward the queen.

By the time the red flash faded, Hyde was midway into the air, having commenced an effortless leap toward the abnormality’s face. She aimed the attack carefully, planting the tip of her brush into the red eye’s pupil. Her precision didn’t fail her as she descended to the ground and rolled across the blood-stained floor to break her fall. Hyde glanced up immediately, watching the drug take effect. Two drops, two hours…

It worked. The queen laid back in her seat, her head facing the ceiling as her eye grew three times in size. It was no longer red by how much it dilated. It explored the mirror worlds, high on the sensation.

Jekyll’s mouth dropped in awe.

Hyde didn’t waste another moment. “It worked! Now’s our chance! Attack while it is weak and distracted!” She smirked with pride as her voice returned. “Now!”

The party listened. One by one, each raised their weapons and started to tear down at the abnormality’s weaknesses. Pen shot it in the chest, followed by Lenore slashing it across the torso, applying bleed. They didn’t deal damage, but they supplied enough effects for others to.

Jatayu pulled out an abnormality ego as Hyde ran back to the group to assess the situation. He was the first to break the barrier and deal damage to the abnormality, watching it shake in pain as he recklessly attacked it again. There wasn’t a clear attack or quote from Jatayu’s ego, but there was one from Mark’s.

Mark followed quickly after, also using an abnormality ego as well. The lobotomy corporation outfit he had was accompanied by a bloody tie and a bloody metal cleaver. He wore a rusted apron studded with various bent nails. A large cut on his arm sourced the cleaver now in his hands. He raised his hand, drenching the already bloodied room with more of it. The environment became a hallway with rusted swords resting on top of a rusted orb core with blood flowing out of it. There was no end to the pouring of blood. His words were quiet and subtle. “My own blood… is all I trust.”

As soon as the blood came, it left. Mark slashed the cleaver across the abnormality’s face, taking more of its health.

Mallo was halfway to the abnormality by the time Mark finished. She slashed in the same spot Mark did, deepening its wound.

Hyde readied her paintbrush, eyeing the heart of the monster. Estimate on the damage I need to deal?

Jekyll gulped. Uhm�� at least four hundred measures…

Done.

Hyde lunged into the air once more, plunging her paintbrush into the queen’s heart. The chair collapsed under the queen as her eye shrunk from pain, unable to escape the drug to see what was happening. It sat under Hyde’s foot, withering and shaking. Hyde repositioned her brush to face the eye of the Red Queen - before stabbing it through it all the way down to her spine.

It didn’t take too long for the abnormality to retreat into its egg form after that, being successfully suppressed. As it egged, so did the blood. The room suddenly became clean despite the blood of the victims and the pile of heads. The sight raised Hyde’s sanity so much, it brought Jekyll back into control.

Wow… Jekyll stammered. Hyde that was… amazing… you took care of that thing like it was nothing!

No one makes fun of our paintings and lives. You should know this. Hyde adjusted her posture and sat back, letting Jekyll take control. Killing is simply what I do best.

The flames and ticking of the manager were soon to be heard. “Does anyone need healing?” Dante asked, entering the room once the combat had concluded.

“I’m good.” Pen shook his head, acknowledging Dante’s presence.

Hey, what about that drone that left us here to die? Hyde narrowed her eyes. She’s not going to get away with that. The deal is off.

Jekyll recalled the drone and glanced to the door it left from. Her eyes narrowed as well, a surge of anger coursing through her veins. “That bastard…” Despite the people in her way, she pushed them aside and opened the door to her left. She was going to find that drone and make it pay. No wonder Jatayu hates these people–

“Uh, Jekyll?” Dante tried to call out, before motioning to follow her to the others. “We should follow her, probably…”

Jekyll walked into the other room, spotting two more dead bodies on the ground. She ignored them and pushed past them before she felt a hand on her shoulder holding her back. It took her by surprise who had stopped her.

“Hey, let’s not move too far from the group, alright?” Mark plastered on a fake smile and loosened his shoulders as if he was talking to a pal. “What if Dante gets hurt? We need to protect him as that is our job. The exit is that way,” his gloved hand gestured to the elevator in front of them. “We should go there.”

Jekyll heard the whirling of the drone in the next room to the right. She glared in anger before turning to face Mark, her gaze relaxing. I have not forgotten who you were, Mark. You cannot lie to us.

Classic Mark, Hyde scoffed. Play along with his game, he is a coward with no free will, and encouraging it will avoid further complications that aren’t needed for now.

Is he going to always be like this?

Likely. It always breaks under pressure, though.

“...huh.” Jekyll moved her shoulder out of Mark’s grip, letting his hand fall back to his side as she turned away.

Mark didn’t make any more comments as he strolled over to the manager. He flung his arm over Dante’s shoulder. “Yo, Dante, did I get any new IDs on your PDA?”

Dante immediately tensed up at the odd physical contact. “What? Oh… let me check,” it was clear he was uncomfortable. “I tried to pull for a few during your guys’ fight, and yes, I got you a new one…”

They continued to chat about the different IDs Dante pulled before the manager asked Mark to give him space. He agreed nonchalantly, his smile all the same and unwavering in intensity.

You can tell it's fake when it doesn’t change. Hyde added. Honestly, out of all the acts Mark puts up, I dislike this one the most.

The doctor stared oddly at the prisoner as he walked around making idle conversation with the sinners. He conversed with Lenore and Pen about abnormalities, monsters, humans, and N Corp, before the topic of IDs was brought up once more. Jekyll recounted only the bit of the conversation that recalled how insane people usually have insane IDs, like Hyde and Lenore from Nagul Und Hammer. She didn’t quite understand how IDs worked, nor did she or Hyde like them very much.

Hyde was getting angry as their coworkers stood around talking idly. I want to go smash that drone.

I… would like to as well. Jekyll usually didn’t result to violence, but that drone had really pissed her off.

We can work together like in old times, no? Hyde proposed. And not just in the fight… it was helpful to work with you back there.

Jekyll shifted uncomfortably. I will never work passively with you again. Not after the monster you became.

Look, Jekyll, Hyde sighed, shoving down her frustration. We are going to fight in this job a lot, it seems like. It wasn’t my choice to run away, but I’m willing to cooperate.

You left me with no choice, Hyde! I had to run because of you!

Disregard that for now, we can address that later. Hyde’s tone was oddly soothing. What I’m trying to say is, can we put that big argument aside and work together in this job, at least in combat? This is more for your sake, really. You can have peace of mind while fighting instead of arguing with me.

…The last time I made a deal with you–

“I’m not going to say anything,” Lenore’s sharp tone caught Jekyll’s attention. “But either you are forgetting something, putting up an act, or lost your mind entirely,” she rested the glaive on the floor.

“Has my effectiveness in battle suffered?” Mark asked, crossing his arms.

Lenore furrowed her eyebrows. “No, but–”

“Then does it matter? I am doing my job.”

“But are you alright?” Dante budged in, his flames licking the violet walls.

“You would know if I’m fine or not, Dante, right?” Mark tilted his head toward him. “You’re linked to all of us, after all.”

Dante clenched his face, cringing at a thought that Jekyll couldn’t see. Whatever it was, it was enough to shut him up.

Mark held his head high and turned toward the direction of the elevator. “Let’s move forward–”

He cut himself off when his gaze locked on Pen. Jekyll followed his gaze to see the hunter had opened the door to the left room rather than the elevator, revealing the drone inside. He stepped in, tilting his head as he readied his spear.

The drone quickly turned to face him. “Ooo, hello there, again~” he cooed, laughing its usual maniacal laughter.

Pen stood in front of it, his tone unchanging. “I remember you.”

“And I remember you,” the drone sneered. “You are the one that hasn’t died… the one with no soul to claim. I will have to research you when I can~”

“Curious, huh?” Pen taunted, pointing his spear at the drone. “Want to try and take my soul again?”

The drone whirled closer to him. “You know what? I do!”

Not this time. Jekyll felt her rage boil over, and she stepped into the next room with great speed, knocking the drone’s extended arm away from Pen before raising her brush. “You know, the Ring doesn’t take lightly to members being left to die!”

Hyde sighed. Terrible. Really, really terrible. Please leave the talking to me I swear to the arbiters.

The drone spun in the air, taking a moment to recollect itself from the attack as its eyes laid on Jekyll. It gasped. “So you lied to me, how cruel!” The drone pouted. “I did my part of the deal and offered you a place full of blood.”

“I–”

Jekyll! Hyde stopped her mid-sentence. Shut it. Let me talk.

Jekyll didn’t have time to reply before Hyde forced her way up front. “I think you are the one that lied, friend,” Hyde laughed calmly, spinning her brush in her hands. “Did you not see the fight? The only blood that was shed in that room was that queen of yours.”

“WHAT?!” The shock from the woman behind the drone was genuine, and the drone stood there idly as other sounds were heard from its microphone. There was a long pause before she collected herself and the drone started moving again. “Ooo~ I will have to research you, I am very impressed.”

Hyde backed away from control. As you should be.

Jekyll raised her brush again, choosing her words carefully. “Good luck with that.”

. . .

The fight was a blur. Mark sliced the drone in two before it could get its final words out with his shi association sword. He changed back into his base ID the moment combat was over.

Pen huffed a tired breath before he stepped on one of the drone parts, laughing. “It’s a shame it couldn’t get my soul again.”

“It didn’t the first time,” Jatayu relaxed his shoulders, his tanfas falling to his sides.

“I’m glad I don’t remember that.”

“Now, Jekyll,” Jatayu stepped toward Jekyll, his gaze stern as he drew her attention away from the rubble. “What was this about making a deal?”

The rest of the party presented their attention to Jekyll as the veteran spoke. They eyed her with caution and distrust. She gulped, resting on her brush after the tiring fight. Oh crap, they heard that, didn’t they? Her heart stopped in her chest, and she opened her mouth to explain.

“It sounds like Ms. Jekyll wanted to stab us in the back, considering how back-stabby we all are,” Mark commented, throwing the first accusation.

Jatayu raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Speak for yourself,” Lenore retorted, referring to Mark’s own previous attitude under her tone.

Pen didn’t get the hint. “I do enjoy stabbing people in the back.”

“Listen, I have seen rats more trustworthy than her,” Mark continued. “Look at what she tried to do?”

Jekyll swallowed hard, trying to keep herself together. What? No! I was only getting information! I–

Let the accusations fly. Hyde stopped her, smiling. Trust me.

“You know, I thought you had become a nice person, Mark,” Lenore stood in between Mark and Jekyll, her eyes narrowing toward him. “But you’re just the same dick. You didn’t even let Jekyll answer the question. Stop throwing accusations.”

“It’s not my fault for telling the truth,” Mark raised his hands innocently.

“We are simply here for the job,” Lenore added. “Stop changing the subject.”

“Sure, but we are all still curious why Jekyll tried to stab us in the back with her deal concerning the enemy,” Mark bowed and walked past Lenore, his hands outstretched in a demonstration posture. “Call me whatever you want, but I haven’t tried something that evil yet.”

“Let’s calm down, now,” the manager barely got his voice above the others. He rested a hand on Pen’s spear that was pointed at Jekyll, lowering it to the floor. “We are not to accuse anyone yet, it’s not like Jekyll was leaving us for the demons.”

Pfff, Hyde scoffed. Have you seen how they treat their employees? It’s worse than the Ring.

Jekyll kept a stoic face on her complexion. How mistrusting of all of them.

You shouldn’t trust anyone, Hyde snapped, narrowing her eyes. It’s us against the world, and the world against them, too. Are they done yapping yet?

As the party settled down, Jekyll got her answer. Yes. They are.

“Well?” Mark raised an eyebrow, growing impatient.

Jekyll narrowed her eyes as she clenched her paintbrush. She inhaled slowly, calming her heartrate before she spoke calmly to communicate with her party. “I am not going to backstab you all,” she began, hiding her annoyance. “That would’ve cost me more than it would have cost you. You all are too quick to believe an allegation without evidence and an explanation, which won’t serve you well in the future. Now that you are listening, here is my explanation: I had made a deal with the drone, a temporary one, that I wasn’t going to follow through with. In exchange for looting the bodies in the previous rooms, I would give them something they desired. I was able to find the queen of hearts and the ace of hearts that way. They left me to die in the Red Queen, which went back on the deal we made as I wasn’t able to return to my contractor, you, Dante. But, she didn’t know that. Their side of the deal will not be fulfilled. I had everything under control and me and Hyde dealt with it just fine.” She sighed, already exhausted from having to explain herself. “They didn’t recognize me as part of the group that attacked them earlier, so I took advantage of that, got the loot we needed at the time, and some information from them as well.”

…Good enough.

“And how exactly are we to trust you?” Mark scoffed, smirking toward the rest of the party before it disappeared as he stared at Jekyll again. “You could kill Dante for all we know.”

Does this bastard not learn? Hyde scoffed back. You can’t trust us. You never did.

I JUST explained myself, Jekyll sighed, her annoyance with Mark couldn’t be more prevalent. Maybe I should have let you kill him that day.

“Jekyll is under a contract with a color fixer,” Lenore budged in. “To kill Dante betrays the contract, and it is effectively suicide.”

“And if the demon syndicate has a color fixer to protect her?” Mark retaliated.

The confusion that claimed Lenore’s face was comical. “If they had a color fixer, they would be wiping the floor with their goals, and we would be dead.”

“I get they are powerful to some degree, hence the grumpy man on the bus.”

“We have not met their strongest warriors,” Jatayu budged in, his expression serious and dark.

“You’re just proving me right,” Mark shrugged.

“Surely, they don’t have someone like Vergilius.” Lenore gave her attention to Jatayu.

The veteran let out a shaky sigh. “Their leader is, yes. The drones belong to another higher-up in their ranks, too.”

“Either way, none of us can take on Vergilius,” Lenore dismissed, circling back to the previous subject.

“The case of Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde is on your hands, Dante,” Pen lifted the spear once more, aiming it at Jekyll.

A train horn echoed from the manager. “Wait, wait, wait, no!” He forced the spear down again.

“He won’t shoot without your orders,” Mark glanced over at Lenore as if she hadn’t just spoken to him.

“Look, what Jekyll did was a bit shady, but at the end of the day, they are a sinner. If they planned to get information or resources that could’ve benefited us, have merit, or payoff, I’m willing to keep my trust in them.” Dante turned toward Jekyll, his hands clasping together in front of him. If he could have had an apologetic face from the events earlier, he would’ve worn one. His flames died down, hopeful, but not expecting his answer to be taken well.

He… He’s defending us? Jekyll stared in wonder at the manager. A… manager can defend his clients?

…Well, that’s a new one. Hyde was taken aback. Coming from someone supposedly good, too.

Mark squinted in disgust. “Whatever you say, boss. You have the correct judgment, after all.” He pushed past the other party members into the previous room with the elevator. “Let’s get out of here.”

Dante watched Mark storm out of the room before his own footsteps echoed along the walls. He walked until he was only a few steps in front of Jekyll. “Ms. Jekyll?”

Jekyll eyed him as he walked towards her before she stared up at his flames, confusion all over her face. But… why did you defend me, after…

“I’m not fully sure what you were hoping to gain from the deal with the demon syndicate,” Dante ticked gently.

Did he not hear literally anything you said? Hyde rolled her eyes. You did say–

“Preferably, though, don’t make deals with the enemies.”

Jekyll bowed her head as the order from her manager became clear; it rang in her ears. She sighed in defeat. “Yes, sir.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to lose trust in someone important,” Jekyll watched Dante disappear as he walked towards the previous room, leaving the conversation at that.

Jekyll didn’t take her eyes off the purple floor as she followed. I am not someone that important.

When the company gathered in the previous room, the only different thing was the drone ball in Pen’s hands. It appeared as if he dug through its rubble and grabbed onto the demon core. It radiated a black and purple mist that appeared to hurt Pen every so often. He walked up to Dante. “Hey, I found this.”

Mark was the first to look at it and respond. “What is it?”

“A demon core,” Jatayu muttered, his eyes burned into the object as he stared at it with rage.

“What does it do?” Mark inquired.

“It’s like a bomb,” the veteran replied. He gripped his tanfas as if he was ready to smash it again.

“What if we used it?” Mark grabbed his pipe and patted it on his hand. “We can use my pipe and swing the bomb at another abnormality or something, it can take most of its health!”

Pen’s eyes widened with curiosity. “I like that idea.”

“It’s like baseball, we can make it explode.”

“And Dante can just heal us from it if we get hurt,” Pen approached the manager once more. “Do you approve, Dante?”

“He’s been doing this for ten years,” Mark interrupted. “He will be fine. Pass me the ball, kid.”

Pen tossed the active grenade to him.

Dante backed up from the conversation, weary of the object the party had obtained. He glanced at Lenore, who seemed to be very concerned as well.

“You’re really helping us out, Dante,” Mark continued, his voice sly and smooth. “Be a buddy, won’t you? You have been healing us all up till this point, let’s continue that pattern while we hold this bomb.”

“You…” Dante stammered, heaving a sigh. “Take good care of that thing, okay?”

“So rude, manager,” Mark joked, observing the demon core. “Let’s call it corky.”

“Then you are on caretaking duty of corky,” Dante played along. “If anything happens to you or Corky, I will make sure you two never touch those things again.”

Mark rolled his eyes. “And if it’s effective against an abnormality?”

“Yeah, if we put it to good use, what then?” Pen added.

“Then consider yourself lucky,” Dante’s tone was flat and dull. It appeared he was close to being overcome with exhaustion. The past few days going through the facility had been rough on everyone, but it seemed to take a heavier toll on Dante’s physical state.

Pen and Mark continued to discuss the bomb for some time. Jekyll’s attention only ventured to the conversation again when Pen mentioned gaining information about it from the LCCA. “We can get information on how this was made and use it against the demon syndicate.”

“See kid, you’re thinking my way,” Mark smirked, resting a firm grip on the hunter’s shoulder.

So, you can find information out from the enemies and I can’t? Jekyll bit her tongue. How is this fair?

It’s not, life is not fair. Hyde added, scoffing as she watched the two converse. This is why we don’t trust anyone, and no one should trust us.

“Please, don’t let the bomb blow up in our faces,” Dante begged, rubbing his clock head with his gloved hands.

“It’s fine Dante,” Mark began. “It’s–” he dropped the bomb from his hands before catching it, laughing as he observed everyone’s panic.

Pen himself seemed startled by Mark’s joke. “Let’s… carry on, then. Dante shouldn’t be in the same room in case something does go wrong with it.”

The other party members started to enter the elevator, keeping a clear distance from the prisoner who held the bomb. Every one of them looked tired.

Jekyll couldn’t muster to go into the elevator just yet. Hyde?

What’s up?

Did… did we do the wrong thing?

Hyde searched for context in Jekyll’s head. The deal? Mmm… nah, we discovered their true nature. Destroying their business with the Ring will likely be beneficial for us all. And it will help with… Hyde paused, searching their memory once more. Jatayu’s grudge against them or whatever promise you made to him.

You know, maybe we should check with him for more information, Jekyll proposed, observing the room to find the veteran.

Now? Really?

Jatayu was by the elevator door, idly pressing the open button. His head rested on the wall as he glanced down toward it, his eyes squinted from exhaustion.

“Is the Red Gaze even that strong?” Mark started a conversation as they settled in the open elevator.

“Do you not remember being pulverized by him?” Lenore recalled.

“I’m sure a rat could’ve killed me as well as he,” Mark scoffed. “He just doesn’t seem like the hype.”

“I have seen that man fight,” Dante added, his flames dimming in fear. “It was very impressive and terrifying.”

Mark wasn’t convinced. “Eh, he’s old. He probably croaks in battle.”

“Hope and pray,” was all the manager replied with.

The doctor approached the veteran, gently resting a hand on his shoulder and tugging on it. Her visible eye was filled with concern, and she bent over to force her gaze to meet his. “Jatayu?”

He didn’t answer. There was no visible response from him.

Jekyll wasn’t ready to give up. She tugged at his shoulder again.

Jatayu finally turned his head, his eyes slanted as he forced his eyes to look up at her. He let out an exhausted sigh. “Yes?”

Oh, he is NOT in the mood, Jekyll immediately looked to the floor, trying to make the intruding feeling in her chest subside. “Are… Are you okay?”

The veteran inhaled a sharp breath. “I… I will be fine. I assure you, nothing bad is going on. I promise that I am okay.”

Man, he’s worse at lying than he is at saving his family.

HYDE! Jekyll shook her head to remove the horrible thought. “The drone told me a few things,” she decided to ignore his lie, as it was clear he didn’t want to talk about it. “I know my actions probably upset you, but… I thought the information I gathered from them would be helpful.”

Slowly, the man began to face Jekyll properly, turning his full body to face her. “You.. have not upset me. It is alright. From what you’ve said, you did so to gain an advantage… I just.. simply dislike them, heavily. I will not let my hatred of them blind me into hating you… just…” He trailed off, taking a slight moment to consider his words. “…I’ve seen first hand the damage they can do.. the lives they can take.. ruin… destroy… I don’t want someone who I consider a friend to have her life ruined by making that mistake of dealing with them..”

“I… understand that,” Jekyll rubbed her head. “But… don’t you think killing every last one of them is helpful? It’s sometimes beneficial to make a friend over an enemy…”

Or manipulating your enemy to get what you want.

Jekyll paused. “Or… manipulating them for an advantage, that too, Hyde. I get killing most of them, sure… And I understand why the party could call me out on betrayal because they don’t understand complex processes like that…” She stared at Jatayu in the eyes with a serious glare. “The demon syndicate has a deep connection with the ring; the ring pays them to kidnap people. With my influence, I can blackmail my experience and cut that supply of funds for them. The drone also talked about ‘bringing a new, great era.’ You would know more about that, I believe…” Jekyll sighed. “I don’t know if that helps at all.”

Jekyll’s words rested in Jatayu’s head, as he gave her a listen, though his expression remained stagnant, unchanging, unshaken. Was he considering her words, or was he conjugating a retort? It was hard to tell, but Jekyll found her answer the moment he spoke.

“I think... there is merit to your words. I have heard from friends in the past, who have convinced me that not every Demon Syndicate member is worth killing and that some can be saved. We have done so even, 6 of them... there is… some value…” He paused, taking a moment before staring towards the ceiling, sighing lightly. “But... I will never, on principle, do such. I personally, see little value in dealing with manipulation. I would rather see the entire thing burn, withering down to but ashes, just as it has done so with my world.”

The veteran’s gaze tightened, much like his grip, as he glanced towards Jekyll again. “You may do as you wish. I recommend you to not risk things with those whose very business is lying, stealing, and kidnapping others, ruining all that they touch with those pallid, disgusting hands.. but if you do. I will... not help you with the planning. Only in the rescue you may or may not require..”

Have you met anyone from the Ring, ever? Hyde scoffed. Those actions are child’s play.

Jatayu trailed off, staring down towards the floor, towards his hands. “..I.. will never deal with them. I will do all that I may to break them, as they have broken me. I will do all that I can, to make sure that another family doesn’t have to go through the pain that I had endured.”

His eyes darted back up to Jekyll, though he was not staring at her, more through her, towards someplace else. Some time else. He became lost in the memories that flashed before his eyes that caused him so much pain, and it showed in his expression. “If there is to be any more pain, it will be the pain that I will endure. The pain that I will inflict. So that no one else will have to... At least, one less pain in their lives, and one less in mine.”

"Do not forget that promise that I had made with you, that I will help take them down." Jekyll reminded him, extending her hand to rest on his shoulder. "Perhaps I didn't attempt it correctly back there, but please trust me in I want to help you... I might not understand your anger. I might not have a boiling hatred and want to burn everything down to the ground. I've seen ways to hurt people worse than that, which is simply where my... well, Hyde's suggestion comes from."

Although I appreciate the credit, you are not free from the allegations yourself, Jekyll.

Shut it, it’s not about us right now. Jekyll looked to the side before looking back. "Your friends, that you talk about, the ones who saved some syndicate members? Do you remember why they did it? Did they not hear your anger and rage against them?"

“I do. Crystal clear. A young man, Stibbles.. a troublemaker, who was a bit of a hypocrite with his own advice that he gave me. But, he told me that.. these small-time grunts are worth the rage. The anger, the sacrifice. That I shouldn’t... I shouldn’t remain upset..” Jatayu stood idly, loosening his grip as he thought back to that time, before returning to reality to meet Jekyll and Hyde. “So we saved those who were in danger. From an Abnormality.. they were thankful enough to.. offer their aid. We haven’t used it much, but if need be, Dante has a means to call for them, to help us. They were ready and eager to change... though. Stibbles ended up being a hypocrite by the next mission, betraying his own advice to me, and in doing so, sabotaging everything… Furthermore, I cannot forgive those we find here.. they are too drenched in their crimes to do so.”

Jekyll nodded slowly, looking to the side and taking a step back, giving Jatayu space. "So there is a point where someone is too far lost to be redeemed?" It was all she could utter, all she could muster to ask.

Hyde had a sly smirk on her face. Go on, veteran, say it. Say that there are irredeemable people. Crush the hope of redemption that she holds onto.

Jatayu watched as Jekyll began to step backward, confused, but began to nod. “Indeed. When one abandons their humanity, damning the innocent not out of necessity, but out of a deprived sense of pride, pleasure, whatever their reason. The Demons here, have killed enough, changed themselves enough, and designed themselves to be able to use the very souls of their victims just to ensure whatever plot they have is met. In my eyes, though the name of ‘Demon Syndicate’ is just a title, these men and women here who’ve allowed themselves, and even enjoyed the power they wield, are just as their names imply. Demons.” His voice grew weary, solemn, as he poked his head toward his hands, taking a moment to register his own words. “...I only pray that, in my own methods and pursuits, I am not irredeemable as well.”

Jekyll did her best to hide the shock on her face. They’ve… killed enough to become irredeemable…

Hyde let out a sigh. Jekyll couldn’t pinpoint the emotion tainted within her breath, but it was clear there was some there. Enjoying the power that they wield, it was as if he described us.

Jekyll gripped her paintbrush. She scanned Jatayu’s face. It’s… not about us right now. Jatayu is redeemable, and he needs to know that.

We are not in a place to reassure him of that, Hyde countered. How can the irredeemable reassure the innocent they are redeemable when blood soaks their hands and their morals are tainted?

That is a question we shall answer later. I must give him hope, even if it’s false. Jekyll patted him on the shoulder once more. "You're doing this for a just reason in your eyes, solely because of that, you are redeemable. You might not even need redemption, Jatayu. You're saving your niece, what more can someone ask from a good uncle, such as yourself? Your motives are righteous, take heart in that."

Haah… that doesn’t change that we are irredeemable in his eyes.

Jekyll stood in denial. YOU are irredeemable, you did horrific things, Hyde. I am not.

Hyde laughed. What are they going to do? Kill me and not you? If you wanted justice, you would’ve turned yourself in.

The desire came within Jekyll’s mind. The whole reason why she joined Limbus Company reminded her of the end goal.

I will separate us, then you can face your crimes.

“Thank you, Miss Jekyll..” Jatayu muttered softly, as the crowd around them awaited the closing door of the elevator, and Dante continued to get everyone situated. “..I would like to say the same for you. In my experience here.. everyone who comes here has their sins to bear.. I am certain that, in this journey, whatever sins you have once committed, you can also be redeemed. Merely, just by way of wanting to… assuming, you do want to, of course.”

His comment shut Hyde up. It was difficult to tell how she felt.

Jekyll could only pull out a typical reply she would use for her patients, unrevealing of her own nature. "I hope you're right, Jatayu."

… I hope I am redeemable and can separate myself from Hyde. Then I won’t feel the guilt of the crimes she committed.

#lcb #limbus company #lcb-3 #project moon #limbus fanfic #jekyll lcb #jatayu lcb #hyde lcb #lenore lcb #pen lcb #mark lcb #mallo lcb #dante lcb #jekyll and hyde #writing #chapter

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