Discipline
When I woke up, I felt a small headache and a weird feeling in my stomach. I was bit worried so I asked Low if I did anything during the night. She looked at me confused and said.
- I slept with you the entire night. You seemed bit restless when you slept, but you did sleep.
With that we went and ate breakfast. We then decided that we would head to west islands of Ihm, since Stella told that westpoint is having trouble with the cultists. We asked Lex and he send us to a place that he think should be close to westpoint.
We found ourselfs near some town, so we headed in. There everything seemed normal, but then someone stole my money bag and ran. Me and Low couldn't catch the thief since it was so crowded, but we managed to track him down to an alley. Then the thief smirked and called for help. Then a group emerged from out of nowhere like they were invisible just a moment ago. There were six people in total, but none of them seemed to be strong at a first glance, so we thought we could beat them. Then we heard someone shouting from the rooftops.
- You dare to mess around when I'm here!? And with visitors to boot!? Now I should give you guys a lesson!
It was a young man who looked like a street punk, probably around 15 years old. He jumped from the roof and landed between us and the group of thiefs. Then the guy smirked at us and said.
- Don't worry, I got this!
He then disapeared and soon after we saw him behind the thiefs and started punching them to the walls while continuously teleporting. He made short work of them and then he grabed rope from his subspace and tied them up. Then he looked at us, threw my money bag and said.
- Feel honored visitors! For you were saved by yours truly.
- Who you are again?
- Of course you don't know since you are visitors. My name is...
Then we heard someone talking behind us.
- Dell, I told you to not make a ruckus.
He seemed to appear from out of nowhere behind us, since neither me or Low couldn't sense him before. He was an old man who looked like he was more than 60 years old. Then Dell said.
- Master! I was just about to make a coolintroduction!
- That doesn't matter. I told you to not consern yourself with these two, since they seemed to be able to handle this themselfs. Am I correct?
He looks at us, so we answer.
- We probably could have taken them on.
- As I though. My name is Willow Maxwell and I'm the westpoint, but you can call me Will. This boy over here is my disciple Dellen Crout.
- Wait, you are the westpoint?
- Yes, I have been for 48 years now. I'm 67 by the way.
- How can you still be the westpoint at that age?
- The job doesn't end until you die or are crippled to a sertain point.
- How did you get behind us so easily?
- I used teleportation.
- So you are a mage too.
- Not exactly. While yes, I am good with space type magic, but I suck at any other type of magic.
- Are you just talented on space magic?
- Yes, but I didn't get this far without a hellish training by my master. But thats a different story. What is your business here?
- We came to help you out with some cultists.
- You came to do that. I appreciate it.
Dell then says smugly.
- Thanks but me and my master don't need your help. We are just that awesome.
- Don't let the gifted horse run away.
- What is that?
- It means that you should hold on to other people's help.
- Why, we got this in the bag. These thiefs were no match for me.
- That doesn't mean we should refuse their help. Are we clear.
Dell sound bit defeated.
- Yes master.
- Now then, we have tracked some of the bases they are using. Dell will bring those thiefs to jail, I will handle one of the bases and I send you two to another base.
- But master, why don't I get to join in the fun?
- After you are done with the thiefs, go to the third base and deal with them.
- I hope there are more than couple of scrubs.
- I don't think there should be a finger there, but be carefull if there is a mouth.
- Now then, go.
Dell grabs the thiefs and teleports away with them.
- Now then, you two...
- Wait, why are you trusting us with something like this? We just met.
- I can sense that you are cabable fighters each. That's why I trust you with this.
- It still doesn't feel like you should trust us.
- But yet I do. Now...
He then teleports us near some building in the woods. Then he says.
- This is the place. I trust you two can handle this.
- Wait! Is this even legal?
- With my authority, it is. Now take these bags of magic nullifying handcuffs and some rope for those who surrender. Only I have the keys to the handcuffs. And for those who don't surrender, do as you wish.
He teleports away after handing the bags from his subspace. Then we go in. There are three people standing there, saying.
- What are you doing here?!
- Leave!
Then I say.
- This is a raid! Surrender now, or taste my blade!
The three of them look at each other. Then they attack with their knifes. Low takes care to make them harmless and puts them on handcuffs. Then we go to downstairs. There seems to be traces of someone leaving in the hurry, but no trace where they went. We carefully look around in case they are using invisibility. Then Low found a button hidden on the table and she presses it. A secret door opened and we headed inside.
It seems there is a cave connected to this building. We go inside and find lots of other people doing something. When they noticed us, they drew their weapons and began attacking. Some of them used magic. They tried to cast illusions on us, but thanks to me, neither of us felt the effects. We managed to capture most of them, but some of them gave their lives protecting their research. Mouth relied heavily on illusion spells, but since that level didn't work on us, he was an easy target. He resisted till the end and we had to kill them.
Then we gathered all the six captured cultists outside and started interogating them. They didn't feel willing to talk, so I went with another measure. I broke one of their feet with my sword and the agony he felt made the others tremble in fear. I continued to break one of their legs until they spoke. Low tried to stop me, but I was just getting started. Then one of them finally spoke after the fifth broken leg and told us what they were doing.
- Our... Our plan was to capture the town Johsu to further our research and build the connection to the partriarch closer.
- And what were you planing on doing in the town?
- That's...
- Are you going to make me break more legs?
- We... we planned to use them as experimental subjects so... so that they would try to eat each other while... while having sex on their corpses.
- You were planing on something so light.
- Wh-what?
- If it were me, I would have made them fight their loved ones, then eat them and made them use their bones as weapons on the next fight. And it would continue to go on until only one of them was left and then we gave that person a option to leave. And if he left, we would riddle them with arrows. And if they chose to stay well, let's just say that there are plenty of ways to use manpower.
- But... why would you...?
- The point is, I'm one of the good guys and you are the bad guys. That gives me the freedom to do as I pleace with you. Now then, let's make this more fun.
I proseed to break the sixth leg. A scream of pain can be heard. Low then grabs me from the shoulder and asks.
- What are you doing? They gave the information already.
- They are the bad guys, so they deserve the fate of such. Now then all of you. I'm going to count to ten, and when I'm done, I willcut your heads. If you're feeling lucky, feel free to run.
- What!? This is...
- One!
I start to count and some of them are trying to stand up with their broken legs. Two of them aren't even trying to escape and four of them tried their best to crawl away. How pitiful. As I was counting, Low started spewing nonsens.
- They have already surrendered! There is no more reason to fight!
- Six! Seven! Eight!
- Are you listening to me!?
- Nine! Ten! Time is up!
I smile and cut the first person's head. Then I say coldly.
- No survivors shall be left.
Then I cut the second head.
- Stop it Nor!
Then I start walking to the ones who were crawling away. But then I start feeling Low trying to stop me with force by holding bouth of my arms. She says
- Stop it now! They are already helpless!
- Why are you stoping me? We are comrades at arms. Let me go.
- No, I wont let you cause any more bloodshed.
I throw her over me and she fells to the ground. I don't understand. But I continue to walk towards the crawling siners. Low tries to make me fall with her leg, but I sensed it and dodged it. Then I put my sword through her leg and locked her to the ground. I wasn't worried about her health. After all, she was immortal. I then took one of the handcuffs and put them on to her hands and legs. Then she asks me.
- What are you doing!?
- Punishing the siners.
- Does that include me?
- Not yet. After all, you were my comrade when you riped their hads and knees of their bodies in Reus.
- What are you...? You aren't Nor. Who are you?
- That hurts to hear from a comrade. I'm Nor as I've always been. Now sit tight and I take care of the... Where did they go? What did you do!?
I then was felt a sharp pain on my leg and suddenly I couldn't move at all. Then I was put in handcuffs. I could barely shout.
- Let me go! You siners all deserve to be cut to pieces!
It was Willow. He opened the handcuffs from Low and brought back the remaining siners.
- I order you to let me go! If you do, I'll make your death painless!
- I'm afraid you need calm down first.
- So you are like the others. Very well, I shall pluck your insides and hang the against a wall.
- You really have lost it then. Come.
He teleports us to a village where two buildings are burning.
- Yes! This is how it should be!
- Silence.
Willow puts a gag on me.
- Now then, where is that disciple of mine.
We saw Dell interogating the villagers. Saying.
- Do you have any idea who are you messing with. I'm Dell! The next westpoint, and you were just saved from one of the worse people in the world.
- But you destroyed our house in the proses! How are we supposed to recover from this!?
- It's not my problem. I did my job, so that ends my involvement.
- You can't do this to us!
- I'm the next westpoint, I can do whatever I deem necessary.
Willow gets closer to Dell while Dell is oblivious to our presence.
- Besides, It wasn't ME who destroyed it. It was the body that went flying that destroyed it.
- And that makes it okay why dear Dell?
- Good guestion, I...
Then Dell realizes that he is talking to Willow now.
- Master! This... this isn't what it looks like.
- Hoh, then what happened.
- You see, buch of cultists started runing towards this village when I attacked. I was preoccupied with the ones that were inside, so the ones who ran to the village, managed to cause some chaos. When I got back, one of the buildings were on fire and I rushed in. Some of them were still runing around, so I took care of them. And after that, two buildings were on fire. One of them flyed to the house and crashed the roof. And so we are here.
- So not only did you let them run away, dangering the lives of the people in the village, but then you managed to cause more damage than the cultists did. Am I getting this right?
- Well...
- Am I!?
With small voice, Dell says.
- Yes.
- I couldn't hear you. What did you say
With a bit louder voice, Dell says.
- Yes, you heard it right!
Willow sighs and started appologising to the villagers.
- I'm sorry for my foolish disciples actions. Here, take this as recompense.
He hands them a large bag of money.
- This should pay for the damages and more. I appologise yet again.
- Please teach him to be more carefull.
- I will.
Then we leave the village and teleport to a place where we can drop the captured cultists. They thought that I was one of them for a second before Willow explained something to them. How dare they! Then we teleported near some inn and we were put in one large room. I was just tossed to the ground and I was told by Willow.
- Today you will sleep there. Low will go to the other room.
Low tries to talk.
- But...
- No buts. This is how it will be this night. If he isn't better the next morning, then I have to resort to extreme measures.
- O-okay.
She leave the room and I am left to sleep on the floor like some peasant. They will regret their actions later.
When the morning comes, I'm still planing for my revenge. For the siners dare to get away from the good. Dellen started pocking me to see if I was still me. Ridiculous.
- You still you Nor guy.
He removes my gag.
- I'm me and always have been! Not let me go you siner!
- Ugh, so loud. What do you say master?
Willow then rises from the bed and says.
- Right, we might need to use extreme measures.
- Why can't you accept that I'm just me? You siners have no sense of reason. This is why you must be eradicated.
- Well from Low's reaction, I don't think this is the real you.
- My comrade is just confused. If I could show her the right path, then I'm sure she would come around.
Willow puts the gag back on.
- What do you think Low?
Low comes to the room and says.
- It's definetly not him. This must be the same thing that Stella warned me about.
- You know Stella? Anyways, we must do something to make an end to this.
- How are we going to do that?
- We go to find ourselfs a druid friend of mine. He should know what to do.
- Understood. Where is he?
- I just teleport us there.
And so we were teleported somewhere in a forest. There was a door coming out of a grasshill and that was where they were dragging me. Willow knocked at the door and another siner old man came out of the door. He said.
- Oh Willow, it's been a long time. What do you need me for.
- We have a person who's personality has changed in a manor that is troublesome.
- Are you sure he wasn't like this already or just a normal mood swing?
- If it looked like that, I wouldn't have come here, now would I.
- I understand. Come in.
We go deeper in this siner's campment.
- Now then, place him here.
Willow puts me to the ground. If it weren't for these handcuffs and rope, I would make short work of all of them. I'd still try to safe my comrade though. The druid cast some spell on me.
- I see. Did he drink anything to become like this?
- Low?
Low answers.
- We drank a liquid that was blessed by the patriarch of the priests of the one who dreams.
- Delirus, I see. Then what happened?
- According to him, we did some atrocities in a sertain village. He claimed that it felt like a dream to him.
- Then this must be... poor him.
How dare to say that to me! I try to move but the ropes makes me just wiggle around. Low asks.
- What's wrong with him?
- I believe he has developed a split personality due to the trauma he went through.
- What can we do?
- We must make him drink a concoction that should do something about this.
- Then what should we do?
- I give you a list of ingredients that I need. Wait a minute.
He writes something down to a piece of paper.
- Willow, you know these plants correct?
He glances at them.
- I know of them.
- Go and find them.
- Understood. Dell, go find the flower blue widow.
Dellen asnwers.
- Okay.
Then they bouth teleported away and we had to wait for them for an hour. First Dellen came and soon after Willow came. They handed the ingredients to the druid who then went to make the concoction. It took ten minutes, and when he was done, he removed the gag and tried to pour the concoction in. I then shouted.
- Like I would drink something that siner made willingly!
They grabed my jaw, poured it in and waited for me to swallow it. Unfortunately I had to swallow as I was out of breath. Then they stoped and I started to feel a bit drowsy.
- What... what have you done to me?
- You should soon find yourself confronting your other self. Whoever rises victorious is the one that comes back.
- You... I will make you bleed...
I then closed my eyes. What have I been doing? Is it the true me? Then when I opened my eyes, I was sitting on a chair in a clear space and infront of me there was someone who looked just like me sitting on another chair. Then he said.
- So this is how it feels to see your other self.
- Who... who are you?
- Are you stupid?! Wait, don't bother to answer that. You wouldn't be able to answer that question.
- Answer me.
- I'm you of course.
- Wait... if you are me, then why am I talking to you?
- You idiot. I'm the one who branched off when we drank that liquid.
- Then... you were the one that comited those atrocities.
- Well yes, but actually no. We are bouth the same. I just came about when you couldn't handle the guilt. You are so soft.
- Then why don't you leave me alone?
- Like I can do that. We are inseparable now. I'm the better you who can actually do some work around the world and you're just a whimp who feels guilt from every single death.
- Those... those villagers didn't deserve to be killed.
- But we killed them anyways. And do you think the villagers were the only people we killed back then?
- What do you mean?
- We killed many of the guards that were sent to make us stop. But we killed them, no mercy given to a single one. Ohhohhoh, and there so much more.
- Why didn't we resist!?
- Like we could do that. You remember when you couldn't resist Rihin's orders when she raped you. If it were me, I would have just tried to enjoy it for what it was worth. Oh, and we haven't heard what hapened to her. Perhaps she got pregnant from that time.
- No... No that can't be.
- But you know that there is a posibility. Now we get to be papa for some lady's child who we barely knew. If we ever see the child, why don't we just end it's suffering. Like we do always. What do you say?
- If we end up being a father, the child is innosent. No matter who the mother is.
- And that's why you are the soft one. You don't want to have revenge against the one who shamed us? How naive can you be?
- But the child did nothing wrong. We don't even know that we have a child, so why are we arguing about this?
- It's to prove the point that I'm the better one. No pussy like you could ever venture the world safely.
- You think that you are so much better than I, huh? You are so sertain of that fact?
- Of course. It's obvious.
- Then why am I the only one who is accepted out there? Why does the whole world reject you?
- Because all of them are SINERS! Every last one of them! They will dirty the world, use what they can get and then throw it away! Bunch of bastards! All of them!
- They are like us! Living their lives the best they can! They sometimes have to choose something that is bad either way. They don't always have the power to do anything else!
- Then why did those people let us bacome like this!? They all can become his pupets and can do nothing about it! Then they will betray us and leave us to die. If anyone can become your enemy, then why don't make sure there isn't anyone who can become friends either. Just bury them in bloodstained sands. No one can then hurt us. Then the silence will be our only friend.
- But why are you calling Low your comrade?
- She is the only one who understood my point of few when we were out of our minds. She told me that "I'll be the last one standing with you" with a smile. We can't even kill her, so why not make her our comrade in arms to silence the heartbeat of the world.
- I get you. You don't want to be hurt ever again. So instead you hurt others and make sure they can't ever hurt you. I get that. But if you can't have any other purpose in live than killing others for the sole reason that there wouldn't be anyone else to hurt you anymore, then why live at all then.
- Because it's the others fault for potentially becoming our enemy.
- Do you enjoy it.
- Yes. The sound of siners breathing their last breath is like music to my ears.
- Have we ever heard any music we like?
- Don't know, you tell me.
- Look, why don't we do it like this. When it's time to kill people and I deem your superior skill needed, you are free to take control and take care of the ones I asked. The rest of the time I will be in control and try to keep our friends as friends.
- But what if they hurt us again?
- Then I will take on that hit and you can keep telling me I was wrong.
- Hhm...
- What do you say?
- ... The siners will eventually hurt you. And when they do, don't come crying about it to me. I will always think that siners should be gotten rid off.
- Then it's a deal. Can I have my body back.
- It's ours, but sure. You were the main branch after all. I'll humor you for now.
- Thank you. And just to make it clear who is in control, what should we call you?
- I'm still Nor, but for the sake of clarity, let it be Nor backwards.
- Ron... Got it. See you later me.
- See you later me.
And then I close my eyes and open them back up again and I'm lying on the ground while tied and handcuffed. I saw Low sitting right next to me. She then notices that I'm awake, so she ask with a worried look on her face.
- Is it you Nor.
I smile to her and say.
- It would be me either way, but it's me. The calmer me.
She then smiled and noded her head. Then she told the others to come and soon the room was crowded. Will then asked.
- Is it really the original Nor?
- Calling me original is a bit much, but yes, I'm the one who doesn't want to skever you inside out.
- Is this some type of ploy?
- I haven't called you siner yet, have I?
- Hhm... Well I can always just put you back to a package.
He then starts to untie the ropes and removes my handcuffs. The druid then says.
- You really managed to beat that other personality. How did you do it.
- We just agreed on letting each of us take control when it better suits us. Ron will take control when we need to kill something more than I can handle, and Nor takes control to make sure our friends stay friends.
- So the other personality is named Ron. I hope you can control him enough.
- That remains to be seen.
Dell then says in relief.
- Now we are finally done. Now we can continue our hunt for those bastards.
- You are right. I have a good lead on one of the towns.
- Then let's head there!
- Not so fast, Nor.
I answer.
- Yes?
- Are you coming with us. Or rather, do you trust yourself enough to come with us.
- I think I'll come along. I have to deal with it eventually.
- Good, then let's go. Thank you Chawn
We then teleport out of the druid's home and to another town. There we went to a restaurant, to we order some meals, for some reason. We ate in peace and left. Then we went to the alleyway near the restaurant and we saw one of the staff there give Will a piece of paper. Then the staff person left and we were left with the note. Will said that it had writing that point to a sertain location. So we followed that writing and we were infron of one bar. We went inside and immediately got some glares. There Will asked the bartender.
- Do you have a dreamer's special?
- We do. How many would you like?
- Three for me and one for you.
- Got it.
Bartender then pointed us to head in the back, so we did. There we walked downstairs and opened a normal looking door. Once we opened the door, some smoke came out. It wasn't fire, but something that you smoke. There we went to a person who was chilling with couple of woman on his arms. Then he asked.
- Who are you lot supposed to be.
Will answered.
- Just Willow Maxwell with my posse.
- Willow Maxwell!? WHY... ahem... what are you doing here?
- We found out that you've had some dealings with a sertain group.
- That's none of your business.
- Dell.
Dell then grabs the guy's colar and pushes him to the wall. The woman had already left, wanting no business with us. Dell then starts threatening.
- You better tell us what we want to hear or you will leave this place with more bending parts than you should have!
- Wait wait! I uhm... yes... I had dealing with some sertain priests.
- Care to explain?
- They... they came here to request some funding in exchange of... protection... yes.
- Protection huh. They don't seem to be helping you much now do they. Where is their base?
- They... they are at the edge of the town. The biggest building in the lower district.
- Is that all?
- They uhm... they said that if I pay, I will be excluded from their target audiance. They also mentioned a finger or something.
- Finger you say? Now this got whole of a lot interesting. Now, your bitchass better not have any of the "priests" here in your joint.
- I don't, I promise!
- What do you say master?
Will has been consetratin for quite a while now. Then he says.
- There is one person who seems to have used illusion based magic reasently.
- Care to explain that my guy.
The person looks terrified as Dell's face gets even angrier.
- It's... it's probably one of the watchers that they send me to make sure I don't screw up.
- I guess that he is quite worried now.
Will says.
- Let's go.
We go up and catch one of the cultists and send him to guards. Then we teleport near the lower district. There we start looking around, and after a while, we found the biggest building there was. We went inside. There we saw a few people looking at us with a look that they were ready to attack. Then Will says.
- My name is Willow Maxwell and I'm here to make some arests.
Then all of them started attacking us, but before they could even attack, they fell to the floor and were unable to move. I ask Will what he did and he says.
- I connected a small portal to them indivitually and stabed them with a paralyzing stinger. Now get all of them to handcuffs.
He hand us some and then proseeds to go to the top floor. When we were done, we saw Will being pushed back by a human man with some demon tatoos. There even I started to feel the effects that the illusions had and felt dizzy. I then applied my soul to Will so that he can aim better with his portals. The man started to run at us with daggers in his arms. Then, just before they hit Will, Dell teleported and pushed the man away. Then when the man was still a moment, Will managed to concentrate enough to make the portal and stab the man. Then the man couldn't get up anymore, so we put handcuffs on him before he could do anything else.
So was the raid done. Mostly by Will, but we helped him. He even said to us.
- Was having a bit trouble there. Thanks to you all.
Low then said.
- But I didn't do anything.
- You made the capturing of others much faster, which made Nor and Dell come faster to my aid.
- I see. Well you're welcome.
- Thanks.
We then took the cultists to jail, then took a break and headed to get some drinks. We went to another bar and spend some money for a liquor. Low couldn't feel a thing from the drinks and Will and Dell were getting smashed. I asked Will about his master before he was too far gone, so he said with a smile on his face.
- He was *hick* the best teacher I ever had. He might not be that good in normal fights, but *hick* he sure knew how to use space magic. You know... he was old as hell... even in demon terms. Did I mention that he was a demon? Whatever, he was around... 500 years old when normal demons last about 300 years. *Hick* Well it differs depending on what kind of demon you are, but he is considered one of the older ones. I even hear some demons can get over 1000 years old. Would you believe that. *Hick* Also, master Xorim would never be beaten in a fair fight. He could somehow beat me every time we fough. Last time we met... it was... what, 37 years ago or so? Whatever, he had one horn that bends down on the right and one horn completely missing *hick* and a tail. He told me that he lost his horn when he was fairly young. Didn't tell me how though, stuborn bastard.
And so on went our night when me and Low carried Dell and Will to an inn that would accept us. We then went to sleep on a seperate room and told the lady at the inn, that if those two tried to leave before us, then tell them that they owe me 348 lux.