Circinus: part 4
Krist
You're nothing but a fly before me and our Manifesto:
Musca.
The Manifesto appears, now standing next to Krist
James
D-did you just say, our Manifesto?
Krist
Now, prepare to pay for hurting my brother…
Krist leaps forward with his Manifesto out
James
(Shit!)
(What does he mean by our Manifesto!?)
James dodges to the left
(I just gotta weave between his attacks until I'm able to get him to touch this map!)
Krist swings a punch, but before it connects, the fist connects from behind
James
(W-where did that come from?)
James falls to the ground
(I could've sworn he was in front of me!)
(How did he attack from behind?!)
Kurt stands back up
Kurt
So?
What do you think about Musca?
Pretty impressive right?
Krist
Kurt, mind what you say…
We can't have this simpleton understanding our Manifesto!
Our strength lies in its secrets…
James
(Gee, thanks for that)
(I wouldn't mind it if you threw me a bone every so often!)
(But on the bright side, I can just push Kurt off of the path, and then let Circinus deal with him…)
(But I gotta wait for the right moment!)
(And I can't just push him again!)
(If I do, then they'll start to catch on to what's happening…)
Kurt
What's the matter?
Cat got your tongue!?
Oh this is great!
To think how high and mighty you were before…
Now look at you!
Dazed, bloody, and confused!
Oh the stress is so good I could taste it!
Krist
Kurt!
What did I say?!
No mouthing off to the enemy!
Kurt
B-but bro!
You saw how he treated me!
He pushed me into the dirt!
Krist
I understand your hatred, I hate that wretch with my whole being for what he did to you…
But, for the sake of your dream of reaching the top…
We have to keep the ruse going.
If you wish to succeed and take what you want from this world…
Then we must work together!
Kurt
B-bro!
Kurt starts sobbing while hugging his brother
I'm so lucky to have a brother like you!
Krist
Don't worry, your big brother will always be here to help make up for your mistakes…
There there. Let it all out.
James
(W-what's happening?)
(Is this guy really just a caring brother?)
(He's attacking me, but only because I attacked his brother.)
(Wait a minute…)
Camera zooms out to feature all three of them
(Am I in the wrong here!?)
(No, no!)
(They were holding Gregory hostage!)
(They're in the wrong!)
(But, despite all that…)
(I can't help but feel bad for fighting them!)
Gregory pulls on James' jacket
Gregory
C'mon, let's go while they're distracted!
James
(That's right, for his sake, I can't just leave them alone!)
Hey!
You two!
If you're done sobbing, then I'd like to make a deal with you!
The two turn to look at James
Krist
A deal?
What could you possibly have to offer us?
We hold all the cards now detective, what could you possibly offer me?
James
Information.
Krist
About what?
James
About how to save your brother.
Krist's eyes widen
Krist
…
What did you just say?
James
(The ball's in my court now!)
Well all I'm saying is if you want to save your brother, then we outta make a deal.
Does that make sense to you?
Seems like a pretty straightforward concept to me.
Krist's hands start trembling
Krist
N-no…
You're lying!
You have to be!
What could you have possibly done to my brother?!
James
It's not what I did to him, it's what Circinus did to him…
Krist
You don't mean…
Krist thinks back to the map touching Kurt
You had this all planned out from back then!?
James smirks, then brushes his hair out of his face
James
Of course I did!
I know exactly how to utilise my Manifesto to the fullest!
Kurt
B-bro, what's gonna happen to me?
Krist grinds his teeth
Krist
Nothing…
We'll give the detective exactly what he wants…
James
Now that's more like it.
First, tell me what your Manifesto is able to do.
You keep referring to it as "our" Manifesto. What's that supposed to mean?
Krist
Our Manifesto is called Musca.
We share one Manifesto between the two of us.
We're able to exchange body parts of the Manifesto.
It lets us pull off surprise attacks on our enemies…
He saw two openings at the top and thought this would be our chance.
And I just wanted to support him…
I didn't know how dangerous you'd turn out to be…
But I'll do anything to protect my brother!
So please!
Just spare him!
James
(Why do you have to be so kind!?)
(I-I guess I was wrong about these guys…)
(Was my gut really wrong about this one…)
I-I'll let him go, just please, stop crying.
Circinus can control probabilities in an area, and in the same way matter can't be created or destroyed, the bad luck just gets pushed…
As long as you follow the path dictated by the map, you'll be fine…
Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be leaving now…
James and Gregory begin walking
Kurt
Wait!
Aren't you gonna let me see the map?!
James
Hm?
Oh, right.
You'll probably need to see this.
Kurt approaches James
Krist leaps from behind James and tries to attack him
Krist
(I'll show you for attacking my brother!)
(Say goodbye detective!)
Krist notices James peering at him…
James turns around and shoves Krist down using the map
James
You really had me for a second…
You made me doubt myself!
But, I guess I was right after all.
And it makes sense.
Krist
What do you mean "it makes sense?"
James
Look at the map and take a look at where I am
The map reveals James on the path, with Krist barely off of it
Circinus appears
Circinus
Please proceed to the route…
Kurt
Don't worry bro!
I've got you!
Krist
No! Wait, you idiot!
Stay on the path!
Don't come near me!
Kurt
Musca!
Kurt throws a punch, which James dodges
James
See what I mean?
Only good luck remains on the path…
Meaning the minute you cross that threshold…
All the bad luck that's been built up focussed right on you…
Krist's eyes widen in panic
Krist
(We gotta get out of he—)
!
Krist looks at his legs only to see he's been shot
Krist looks up to see James, with Lacerta over his shoulder
James
Now's probably a good time to mention…
Circinus isn't my Manifesto…
This is:
Lacerta.
The Manifesto looms over Krist, its finger still smoking from the shot fired
Now, enjoy this Karma…
And be grateful, I left you your Manifesto to defend yourselves…
But wait a minute, only one of you can use it at a time…
Camera shows the two cowering next to each other
I wonder…
Camera zooms in on James' eyes, not even trying to hide his killing intent
Which one of you will you save?
Have fun figuring that out.
James kicks Krist in the gut
Gregory!
Let's get moving!
Gregory
A-are you really gonna leave 'em like that?
James
Of course not…
I made sure to kick him onto the path…
He'll be safe until he's out of the Manifesto's range.
Circinus
You have arrived at your destination.
Gregory
Where are we?
James looks up at a run down old building, an aura of wretchedness emanating from the air itself
James
I can't be certain…
But I'm pretty sure Circinus just led me to my target
Camera reveals the boss, sitting in his office, with two guards next to him…
Sinatra
Deacon…Taylor…
See to it our guest gets the warm welcome he deserves…
Guard 1
With pleasure boss.