CHAPTER 49: Take my Hand...

The semi-circular flash was all Alex saw before Phantom uttered those words, the wryly scythe itching to become one with someone's throat. Why was it suddenly at his throat? And why did it stop, almost forcefully? Alex looked at the woman who should have had her head chopped clean. How did she remain unharmed? He saw it go through her! Alex and Arbeteres planned ahead as Phantom looked at them with an undeterminable expression that reeked of confusion. Dad's interference? No, that wasn't right. This man had no contract!

That device on the back of his neck, it stirred Astraeus the wrong way. Like his Violetta's half was recognizing something terrible from inside that crystal. One thought was on his mind: get as much information as possible. He wasn't interested in many things, how lazy and slothful he was, but Violettas' origins always left him desiring more. Perhaps, he could find a way to take down that violation of all that was natural forever. If the blood within him is cautious, he wondered how Veltos would take to it. Would his arrogance win him his deserved slaughter? Or would he finally come to his senses once and for all?

He had to know. He, Astraeus, must know.

"You. Red-hair. I need to know some things, like… what do you know about that crystal?"

Alex backed away slowly, keeping his eyes locked on Phantom's and getting himself away from that strange sickle giving away Phantom's true plans. The sudden movement of the scythe cause Alex to prepare a shield over himself. Alex's eyes fixated on Astraeus with ripe hostility. The movement, however, anchored the scythe at Phantom's feet.

"Oh, don't worry! I will not hurt you during and after our little exchange! I'll even throw you a bone you can't refuse! I believe your target is Midnight. I'd kill the bastard myself, if I had the option to. You need to know exactly where Midnight will be at the right time, isn't that right? Ou, that face says it all. Prime intel, I'd say. Diamondback knew, and now, so do I! So, Deal or no deal, Red-hair?!"

Alex loosened, if only for a second. Midnight?! YES! Another chance! But Arbeteres's caution and knowledge won over. Do not strike this deal. The Violetta's strongest ability… a Violetta's contract. To say yes would be to sign your freedom and your life away… just like that. He gave no specification on the extent of questions or their end. A contract can remain in effect forever if it has no clear end. One day, this man might turn that contract against them.

"No deal. However, I will answer your questions on my own behalf. Then you will give me the information I need. It is our… unofficial agreement."

"Well done, well done. You got me. I guess you like playing safely. So, are you going to answer my question, or…" Astraeus took on a fully relaxed posture, cocky as could be.

"It calls itself the Arbeteres system"

"It calls itself? Wait, so you a hear voice in your head?"

"Y-yes. And-"

"..." Phantom stared without a word.

"It's an AI! Stopping looking at me like that!"

"Hmph. Loosen up! You're acting like I'm out to get you!" Phantom chuckled.

The yawn emitted from Astraeus showed his features in all of their glory. Fair, tannish skin with a beauty mark on his cheek, eyes illuminated as if bejeweled, hair folding down past the band on his forehead and stopping right by his eye. And the way his eyes and mouth moved were just… effortlessly entrancing. The woman had already given into this seduction, the traces of fear and terror wiped off her face completely. What is this power? Whatever it is, do not give in.

"So what other abilities are you holding for me? Other than the shields, lasers, and shapeshifting, I suppose. Also, put some clothes on. You're thoroughly distracting me."

"Oh Fu-" Alex quickly covered himself using an opaque form of his fabric. Should've done that a while ago…

"Anyways. I think you can figure out my abilities… they're pretty self-explanatory. What are you looking for, exactly?"

"Something thoroughly terrifying. Your strongest weapon."

"T-Then you're looking for Arbeteres, aren't you?"

"No! I'm not looking for your Siri! Unless… If he knows what I'm looking for. Ask him. What information does he have that meets these criteria?"

"I don't know about this-"

"Hey, you told me it's an unofficial agreement. If you don't stick with it, I won't either." Phantom taunted, tapping a knuckle on his scythe provocatively. Alex knew he had the energy storage equivalent to multiple WMDs, but to actually use that… He was backed into a corner here. Midnight was still on the move. Don't give away too much…

"It seems I don't have access to a couple of sections in my archive. It's locked, to both me and Arbeteres."

Phantom's face crossed into a satisfied smile.

"Bingo! That's what I need! Open them."

"What did I just say?"

"Well, don't just stand there, figure it out! C'mon! What seems to be the issue? Is the outside bothering you or something? Is that it?"

"Well, I don't have much time on my hands… "

"You need time?! You shoulda just said so!" A stroke of his hand unleashed a shockwave disturbing the space around it, a crashing boom shaking the underground as a world-altering condition enveloped the area around them. Phantom's eyes flashed a great indigo blue momentarily before its violet edges overcame it once more. How far the field went, Alex could not gauge. The lady beside them was now frozen in place, or rather, slowed to the nth degree as her outline was blurred. Everything was blurred, like seeing through smudged glass. All except for Alex and Astraeus.

"Now we have all the time in the world! Start thinking, red-hair!"

Finally! Alex could relax and think! The two minds split off to search for the answer. Meanwhile, his body took a meditative state. His eyes closed into an impeccable focus. They sat there for two very long, strained minutes.

"It says available only after the six-way authentication."

"You're being too vague about this!"

"Uh-eh…" Alex wanted to complain, but he needed to stay safe. Phantom's curiosity seemed to snuff out his patience, scorching eyes flaring like a violet sun as his hands fiddled with his scythe excitedly, tapping periodically and consistently with one finger, as if to keep a rhythm. He's been doing that the entire time things have been blurred.

"I can't open it. It requires five more people. Their names are… strange."

"Nesaran residents, damn it." Phantom said, his voice and face unreadable. Alex ducked as his eyes widened. Another flash. A kick, where his head had just been. That kick would have beheaded him. The wind from it passing alone was enough to knock his breath away. He was surprised he dodged it in time. All thanks to having Arbeteres truly integrated into him now. It felt so natural he didn't notice much of a change. The combination of Alex and Arbeteres raised their head, their expression calm and their eyes robotic and amber-hued.

"Have a seat, Mr. Phantom." The unification spoke as it glanced at two perfectly-sized pieces of rubble.

"Ugh! I need this shit now! Also, I knew you were lying. Combat assistance! You didn't tell me about that. I could just crush you right now! Drop a building on your ass, and that would be it!" Astraeus ignored the invitation

"Whatever. I will answer your questions on my own behalf, just as I said. I am not obligated to give you their full extent."

Phantom grumbled aggressively.

"This shit is really pissing me off! Why do you... Why does everything have to be so complicated! All of this should be fucking simple. I won't even be getting there until the Iceberg is rebuilt! I hate these waiting games, let's find a way to cheat the system!"

"Wait, Iceberg?"

"Ou, you don't know?"

"What is 'The Iceberg'"

Phantom laughed with a silly grin, as if his next words would be a treat to enjoy sharing.

"From the Iceberg came the Circles, and from the Iceberg, they will leave. All have a piece and all want it achieved. But each of the Circles has a different goal. Arewara wants to go back to the stars, Tangente is torn, Maleadora wants to flee, from the descent of those winged, violet-eyed, green-fisted, and grimhearted, the four corners of High Society, coming for humanity. There is one, the traitor, who will stop at nothing to snuff out the light, of the crashing and scattering of the Iceberg Three. The Iceberg. The Iceberg is a ship, with it, holds a destiny for all of humanity. The day they'll descend. Tangente and Arewara think they're the only ones who know. They received the message from the stars. But Maleadora knows as well. As for the other Circles, I don't really care."

This was more serious than he could've ever imagined.

"Where did you learn this? How do I know this isn't some kind of joke or delusion? And what- What is your goal?"

"Isn't it obvious? And as for my goal, why…" Phantom leaned in, meeting eye to eye with Alex closely.

"It's to kill dad, of course!" His voice rolled with the soothingness of a lullaby and the strength and solidity of a shout.

"Veltos, the lone Violetta! Remember that earthquake causing those tsunamis right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean all those years back? That was me, and father dear. He wanted to kill my mom! I couldn't let him do that now, could I? I gave him an important reminder that day: how it felt to be weak. Unfortunately I, like the hero I am, went with him because he made me his bitch. I may have all the brawn and abilities in the world, but my father, on the other hand, has a brain."

"How… is your mom?"

"Alive. But that's all she was for a while. You don't exactly recover from that kind of trauma. Both physically and mentally. She's dealt with a lot. But she's been trying. I've gone in and checked on her every now and again. It's been a while since she was the beautiful flower Veltos had plucked and stripped of its roots. But she's damn well improving. Unlike him. I may have her brain, but that's a good thing. Where do you think I get all this from?"

Phantom, at that moment, sounded genuinely proud, his smugness oddly comforting after all that's said and done. A hint of sadness crept through as well. Perhaps he could talk just a little longer. Phantom's rambling just might prove useful, after all.

"So, what's up with this cult stuff, anyway? We all know about Maleadora's religion, it's surprisingly popular. Never got into the stuff, so I don't know much about it. What made you choose to be a head?"

"Something that I needed."

"Hmm. What?"

"Bitches, Bills, and Information, for yours truly! What else could I need to satisfy myself?"

"Nice." That's gotta be a joke.

"Yup. seventy-two wives, and a seven-figure salary." He was not joking. Help.

"Let's change the topic. Information, you said?"

Phantom fell down to his back, hovering just above the floor so as to not get his suit pants dirty.

"Annnd I'm done talking. What is your story?"

"You mean how I got to be this?"

"No. I've seen or heard enough of those stories to fall asleep five times over. What do YOU want? What DID you want? A side character like you has to have a tragic backstory."

His story? Alex's story? Nobody ever bothered with that. Who was he, Alex Quinton? Where should he start? What stories could he share that a being like Phantom would be interested in? These people, all these people. They were so interested in the surreal. The powerful. The threats and politics of humanity. He was just… so small compared to that. Now, it wasn't so much about winning as it was the fear of failing. Even now, with Arbeteres fused with him and his next step growing closer, he couldn't help but remember the feelings lost to him ever since he was normal. Every step closer to his goal was a step further away from everything he took for granted. A normal life, with his family and friends. That's right, there were five of them, us. Inseparable. He had finally found a place where he belonged. Four other friends, before he had to move away. It was hard to attach to people or places after that. Every friendship, every relationship, he deemed temporary. People would pass and go, no need to feel angry about that. But worst of all, was when the loneliness set in. You are surrounded by people, yet you feel absolutely and utterly alone. You talk, but it's not really you, you assure them you're fine, but nothing's really changed. You convince yourself you have it good, that there's nothing worth improving about your situation. You start to realize you don't care for them or yourself as much as you think you do. Complacency. If they were gone tomorrow, how would you feel? You never asked that question. Well, more people will just come in due time. More people will just fill those gaps. But never completely. There are times, times where you feel genuinely good, like with Maxwell, with Frilo, with Holts. But those are moments, fading in and out of existence. You try and talk to them, but have nothing to say. Then you start to talk about things that neither they nor you care about.

Alex. Who are you? Who am I?

Rain. Wind. You don't care. You dash through the street on your bike, soaking, protecting that laptop thrown hastily in your bag while waiting to get to cover at Kyle's house. Faster, Alex, Faster. So that you won't have to worry about your laptop getting wet. So that you can hang out with your friends until it gets dark. An excited smile crosses your face as your rain-soaked hair sticks to your skin.

After the move. High school. You lag behind a group of people. You stay silent, you need to get to know them better, after all. Listening in on what they like. Though they are a little disturbed by your constant nervous smile, they let you in. You try too hard to connect, to mold to their shape. You are too ashamed and try to hide your original contour. You can talk about what others like, but every time your mouth opens for its own sake, it's as if invisible hands grasp at your throat as your chest clenches with uncomfortable pressure. Guilt. You are in a world foreign to you. You don't belong here. The trees, the houses, the people. They are so far different than everything that feels like home. Perhaps, there is no home. Why should they care about what you have to say? There is no safe haven. There is no best friend to talk to, only your direct family to fall back on. Job application or college enrollment is scary, terrifying even. To think that you have to choose the way your life will go sometimes, like looking through murky water. Most of these paths can never be treaded backwards. Terms. There are so many foreign terms. W-2s and whatnot. It's all so confusing, where are the people I followed?

They left. They had better things to do. That's what you tell yourself. Perhaps it was you that left them behind. In your room, you look around. Mom's TV plays in the distant background as your eyes search for someone but find no one. Tiredness almost consumes you as you procrastinate on that assignment you have due. Mom comes in, you were already prepared as soon as you heard footsteps. The conversation you've been putting off. Yelling. Just a back and forth of insults. You can't tell her you don't know what to do with your life. You need to clear your head. You go on a walk. You stop by a store. A dumb, nervous smile becomes plastered on your face as you enter, caused by the cashier glancing at you. As you leave, it rains. It's pouring. A figure appears. Your life changes in an instant. You now only have the illusion of choice. You feel a strange sense of duty to organizations that are more than just illegal, knowing full well what they did to you. You blame yourself for the impending desolation. It's your fault if we fail. You believed that. Alex believed that.

Alex told his story, or at least, this part of it. His heart raced and his ears were flushed with red. It was a struggle to get it all out. This man was the only person he ever told it to. This was his story, and now it could finally be part of someone else's. As he told his story, he thought of mom. Of his brother Derek.

That's right. Even though it's felt like an eternity ago, there was still light shining through. All those times, my brother picked me back up. It doesn't matter that he was younger, a little immature, and embarrassing at times. It was more than just family that kept us together. We have lived, and we have struggled, together. We have achieved, and we have lost, together. We have laughed, and we have talked to each other. Real talking. None of that surface-level crap. Derek was the most important person to me out of anyone in the entire world. I'm only seeing that now, when we are half a world away.

Mom. I said nothing about our fight the last time we were face to face. I didn't apologize for the things that I said, or the things that I did. And I will not just apologize. An apology is not good enough. Words are not good enough. Only actions going forward will do.

Just then, an idea came to mind. The world around them seemed frozen, all except for him and Phantom… Alex turned to Astraeus with a smile on his face. A smile not unlike one of a distant past of riding in the rain.

"What will it take, to freeze time until I kill Midnight?"

A vile noise erupted from Astraeus's mouth. A laugh rooted in the deepest of satisfactions and amusements tickled the man's throat as he swung side to side in a revelous ecstasy that could only befit a child.

"Not much at all! Take my hand, and the deal is yours!"