Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 25

Chapter 241

Fractura, the hyena man, was thrown onto a medical bed with most of his clothing discarded back at the battleground. Ignis poured water on the burns. She had already washed away some of the hot oil, but the burns still needed to be managed.

Fractura, "Don't use cold water; it will damage the skin even more."

Ignis, "I know my first aid, so don't lecture me!"

Resonantia did her best to wash the gash across Clamor's face.

Resonantia, "You come out of hiding to aid us once more, and look what happened. This won't discourage you from joining our fights, will it?"

Clamor, "Dangerous jobs are dangerous. Wounds or death should be expected in this world. How is everyone else doing?"

Resonantia, "Most everyone suffered very little. You and Fractura were the ones who took the worst of it."

Iratus, "I wondered how those things attacked. I thought it was just that heat breath, but they, what, puke oil or something?"

Fractura, "Were you not looking? They melt the bones, and the oil becomes the metal that coats the bones. Maybe it would be better to call it hot metal then oil?"

The hyena man shoved a few painkillers down his throat.

Iratus, "Did we have to kill Determinationis? It seemed really cold-hearted to just drop her like that. Wasn't she even asking for help?"

Fractura, "How much do you want to bet that she was bringing those things to us?"

Iratus, "Lead a horde of monsters to one of our homes?"

Fractura, "And then there were her last words. She went into full supervillain mode there. I don't think it was metalhead sickness, but considering where we are, better safe than sorry."

Iratus, "It still just does not feel right."

Fractura, "Once again. Her words proved she was a threat. I don't know how you can wonder around her with such high hopes for people, but you need to realize this world is dangerous and its people are even more so."

Iratus, "I'll just think things over."

Fractura, "Look, if she just came clean with everything and said she would not continue to try to harm us, I would not have said to kill her. I am not risking my friend's life or my own safety when she started talking crazy and, from what I can tell, vowed to continue her work."

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Chapter 242

After an hour of patching up, the group finally got ready to disband, with everyone heading back to their own homes until Victoria rushed back inside.

Victoria, "We have a problem! More metalheads from that castle have arrived."

Everyone got their equipment back on in a rushed flurry.

Iratus, "Weird how another group came around."

Victoria, "Hurry up, people!"

The party ran out the door with Iratus, Clamor, and Ignis out in front, Tempestas on the right flank, Victoria and Resonantia on the left, with the shark girl nearly out of arrows in her quiver.

It was a small group of metal heads that, despite being able to surround the party, the monsters could not break their line. Once a few metalheads were slain, an arrow shot out from the tree line and shattered against Clamor's segmented armor.

Determinationis came out of the tree line with her blood-soaked padded armor, mail, and Japanese armor pieces. Her weapon was different, as it was now a dark and twisted wooden bow, blackened, with twig bits sticking out of it.

The main difference was that she now wore the grainy gray mask that was worn by the monsters known as gray masks.

Victoria, "Determinationis! What is the meaning of this?"

Resonantia, "How about you start with, lady, you're supposed to be dead?"

While Determinationis said something, she was far enough away that her voice was drowned out by the sounds of battle. Victoria took some steps to get a better shot on the raccoon woman, and as she fired, her foot also stepped into a small hole, which made her shot go wide, while Determinationis fired a shot at her, which scrapped across Victoria's back.

Once most of the metalheads were dealt with, Determinationis fell back into the tree line and ran away while everyone else was too tired to continue exerting effort.

---

Chapter 243

Two days later, Iratus and the girls sat around their table and were finishing their breakfast.

Victoria, "We need to check out that castle."

Iratus, "We don't know if the gray mask thing is even there."

Victoria, "I'll admit we didn't even have confirmation that Determinationis was living there, but it is the most likely place considering all the castle city metalheads."

Iratus, "I guess it is worth a look; after all, we did see a possible person in there before. I'll see if I can't hire some of the others to help."

Resonantia, "I bet we don't even need them to storm that castle."

Iratus, "Honestly, I kind of don't want you girls going into battle in these times. You are all growing gravid, and I don't want to risk your babies."

Victoria, "I have to see this through, so I will be going!"

Resonantia, "I've made another batch of arrows, and I'm itching for another fight. Among the others', I am currently the least encumbered."

Iratus, "Well, you all do have free will, so have at it, but please try to stay safe, er, I mean more than usual."

Resonantia and Victoria walked over to give Iratus some loving nuzzles. The group played a few board games while waiting for the afternoon to come, where Clamor, Fractura, Tempestas, and even Venatio showed up. The girls cooked up a large hardy meal for the guests, and while everyone was eating, a conversation started.

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Chapter 244

Iratus, "Are you guys not going to hunt and cook for yourselves because there is always more work to be done?"

Clamor, "I sense another terrible decision coming."

Iratus playfully, "You wound me."

Fractura, "Honestly, I almost agree with Clamor. I nearly lost a few limbs!"

Iratus, "If Determinationis was leading a horde, it would have probably reached your tower first. It was a choice that was not solely mine."

Fractura, "Yeah, I remember."

Iratus, "That gray mask might try to gather and send another horde to us."

Tempestas, "Gray masks are smart, but they are not that smart."

Ignis, "As I have heard once before, I do believe that conduit is a word to use here."

Fractura, "That'll do it. It's still odd how another conduit has appeared."

Iratus, "Either enough time passed that the gray masks have returned, the blackest day did something, or corpses draw these things."

Victoria, "Considering she started talking crazy about serving a higher power than the summoners, maybe it was the gray masks or Kollektivi. Maybe that brought these things here again? During one of our talks, Clamor revealed that the first conduit we fought made a deal with him and even fulfilled its part."

Fractura, "What did you trade it?"

Clamor, "It wanted to know how far the Invaders group got into the summoners tower. From my investigation, they got to six, and in return, I was told of Victorium's army location."

Tempestas, "Strange. Why would the gray masks want to know that?"

Fractura, "Deep within buildings specifically made for the summoners are treasures, remember."

Tempestas, "What kind of treasure is so important that monsters want to know about?"

Venatio, "Why did you come here without knowing why adventurers and treasure hunters come here?"

Fractura, "There are actually many treasures I can think of that a monster that actually has a brain would desire. The most prominent kind of treasure is reality itself."

Iratus, "I don't think I understand."

Venatio, "Matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be changed. Now what about matter that has yet to exist, and when it does, what matter is it? Almost everything in here is that new matter."

Fractura, "And that's just the tip of what kind of treasures exist in this place."

---

Chapter 245

After a few minutes, everyone decided that the next day would be the day they would attempt to explore the castle. The 104th day came, and the tower folk and the four others came together and met up at the bridge. Venatio came as well, wearing the same kind of military clothes as Fractura and even wielding the same kind of metal baton and having the same kind of body armor.

Iratus, "Alright, everyone came."

Clamor, "You brought all your girls?"

Aestus, "We are just here in case things get bad. Getting surrounded by metalheads is how people die; therefore, we are to make sure that does not happen."

Iratus, "Not like I could say no to them."

Clamor, "Then you need to start learning how to. If you don't keep them in check, they are going to get themselves killed."

Fractura, "Can we just get a move on? I'd like to earn more food with as little work as possible."

With some nods, Clamor silenced himself, and the party made their way down the road. They passed through the two hills and the rice paddies behind them. They came to the large Japanese city and moved around to the side, where Resonantia led the group down a specific path.

The group tried to make as little sound as possible as they traveled, but many of the metal skeleton people were all over the city.

Iratus, "Didn't you say you secured a path?"

Resonantia, "Being gathered into a horde must have scattered some around. Luckily, it does not look like there are too many. We could probably find a way around them."

Ignis, "The city itself seems to have very few of these things left. Maybe we could reclaim this place from the metal dead?"

Resonantia, "You just have not seen the large pockets around."

Eventually, a path was made directly to the castle; a few metalheads were lured away from the gate and slain. From there, the party entered the path to the castle grounds. They walked up the path all the way to the castle, not seeing any monsters on the way in. The party saw a once-preserved garden become old and dilapidated. Koi ponds now sit like sludge, with even a skeletal corpse floating in them. The entrance to the grounds had a large red wooden structure with intricate carvings in it.

The party walked on the cobblestone, passed some cherry blossom trees, and went into the castle. The castle's interior had black stains all over the walls and ceilings, proof that the metalheads were living here. Aestus looked out the window and saw something that made her yell.

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Chapter 246

Aestus, "What's going on outside?"

Everyone moved to the windows and saw smoke rising from the city. They could see some fire on the edges of the city.

Resonantia, "Oh great. This is probably another gray mask trap. I'm actually getting pissed about this!"

Fractura, "Gray masks can't; nevermind, I forgot about conduits."

Aestus, "Well, then we need to get out of here!"

Victoria, "Hold on, that fire is so far away. Can't we just look around real quick?"

Iratus, "You'd think they would set this place on fire instead."

Victoria, "Also, it's just over there; I don't think it's anywhere else."

Resonantia, "Yet."

Clamor, "I can't believe I am saying this, but right now I am ok with exploring the castle. Now if there were to be more fires springing up, then I say abandon the mission."

Iratus looked around, but no one else showed any sign of resistance.

Iratus, "If there is no one else objecting, then we continue. Keep an eye out for more fires; in fact, Aestus, Venatio, could you take a look around outside real quick?"

Aestus nodded and ran off, while Venatio shrugged and walked behind the otter girl.

The party moved deeper into the castle and saw some burn damage every now and then. This allowed bits of light to shine through the building, helping the party see better with their night vision.

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Chapter 247

After a few minutes, the party reached the heart of the castle. In the main hall was a towering, ornate throne made of dark wood with carvings of mythical Japanese creatures. The black stains from the metalheads' exhaust have formed abstract patterns that seem to tell a story of their own. Off to the sides were several gray masks; however, they were the two fox girls and the otter girl from Determinationis's group. These three were already slain as gray masks before, but now they're back and are now many, like they had been cloned with bloody padded armor, all remaining the same for each.

Tempestas, "I forgot to check, but I assumed the previous bodies of these three disappeared like all other gray masks."

Iratus, "Correct. Only the conduit's remained from our first battle with these things."

Tempestas, "I think the original three are still dead at the bottom of the summoners tower, and these are just normal gray masks, imagination made real."

There was also the Determinationis gray mask, who was sprawled over the throne like a child. It eventually sat up and slowly walked towards the party, though slowly, as it would twitch often. The party got ready to fight; Aestus and Venatio were still not back yet, and the gray masks closed in.

They all stopped when Victoria spoke out.

Victoria, "Determinationis, who did you make a deal with? Why are you a gray mask?"

Fractura, "Do you guys always try to talk to monsters?"

Determinationis, "I am...the Qui Durat."

The Qui Durat gray mask removed its mask to reveal her face was missing, with only a black void where it once was. It dropped its mask, though it seemed like it was from when it twitched again as it attempted to grab it but failed. Then the creature turned its empty face to the party and pulled out its bow, which signaled to the others to start engaging.

Resonantia and Victoria opened fire on the enemy, with Iratus and Clamor holding the frontline. There were not many gray masks this time, and while they had no self-preservation, they still had some fighting ability.

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Chapter 248

The old rabbit man, Clamor, lunged forward and stabbed one of the creatures with his great sword, but then the creature tried to hold the sword while a few others had metal blades spring forth from their hands and attempt to slice into him. Tempestas and Fractura aided Clamor by beating down the incoming gray masks, while Iratus cut a line through the creatures. The Qui Durat fired a shot at Resonantia and shot into her shoulder while Victoria and Ignis walked out with Iratus with the raccoon girl firing a shot at her rival, but the Qui Durat masterfully deflected the shot and then returned fire, sending an arrow right through the side of Victoria's thigh, dropping her onto one knee for a moment.

Aestus, "Iratus! Be carful."

Iratus could barely hear the otter girl as she sounded far away. Fractura heard the warning and took a look.

Fractura, "They are surrounding us."

The normal kind of gray mask, the brown cloaked kind, started to come from behind, and a few filled out from the main hall to reinforce the Qui Durat.

Qui Durat, "I am the Qui Durat!"

Iratus managed to reach the Qui Durat and was ready to swing down. The creature spoke once more, but this time the voice was from someone else; it sounded exactly like Tacitus, except it was clear and not droopy or sounded like death.

Maybe Qui Durat, "When will you learn, kid? Your bloodline is cursed. Why won't you end the bloodline of evil?"

Iratus, "I literally do not care that my ancestors raped me into existence two thousand years ago."

He swung his sword while Qui Durat used an arrow, specifically the head, to somehow parry just the right way to stagger Iratus, who nearly fell down. Another gray mask tackled him while Qui Durat fired the arrow at Tempestas and made a direct hit in her gut.

Victoria charged in, slid down, and was about to fire her crossbow at her foe until a loud, thunderous sound of part of the building falling with bits of debris falling into the room shocked the poor racoon girl, causing her to misfire.

Maybe Qui Durat, "So someone kills the people you love means you get to do the same to them?"

Victoria, "Yes, and I'll keep killing people until my enemies stop coming. I know what war is, and I'll win it to save those that I love instead of letting them die because I chose to be 'honorable'. Win the war as fast as possible so that more people don't have to die is what's right!"

This was enough time for Victoria to load another bolt, but too many gray masks started to get in the way for her to shoot her target. As Qui Durat retreated further, Ignis came in, running around the enemies to attack Qui Durat with her spear, with the creature easily dodging the attacks.

Maybe Qui Durat, "You gave up being a sailor? For what?"

Ignis, "Vile thing! I was only in basic training to find a boy to love. As for smashing someone's face with a crowbar, that's their own fault for being a terrible person."

The two feinted back and forth before Ignis accidently lost her footing and fell over, allowing Clamor to fill in and keep the attack up. Qui Durat had to give a large step to dodge the incoming swing or Clamor's greatsword.

Maybe Qui Durat, "Oh look, it's the genocidal maniac with the hobby of familicide."

Clamor, "Maybe too many people did die, but you can't say that God sent me to stop those evil people from committing mass genocide and wiping out many nations and races of people because they wanted to cut out their hearts and let blood run down the stones of their temples. The other nations of that island praised me as a savior, and then again, when I stopped the crown, my entire family, from killing them to steal their land!"

Clamor swung a few more times before Qui Durat had to block a swing with her bow, which shattered it and forced her to take a step back. Qui Durat threw her broken bow at the old rabbit before two other gray masks came in front of him to hold Clamor so that Qui Durat could run around and start heading for the exit, running past the party.

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Chapter 249

Resonantia stumbled out of the fight, throwing a gray mask to the ground, and almost slammed into Qui Durat. She quickly turned around and grabbed her.

Maybe Qui Durat, "You shame your family's legacy. First, they said a person's place was determined by the color of their skin, then they changed it to their reproduction organs, and then it was by their wealth, all of which your bloodline rejected and then conquered them all, and yet you would say that a person's place is determined by their education?"

Resonantia, "Are you talking about the bluegill dutchy? Dude, those people voted for their own self-destruction; there's no way I'm going to say that they deserve a vote when they flee to my dutchy to steal my people's wealth and strain our healthcare system to the brink."

Maybe Qui Durat, "And you wonder why the revolution was growing power."

Resonantia, "We ended slavery by talking to people and convincing them that it was wrong. The revolution doesn't try to convince anyone of anything; it just kills people. I have proof that slavery is wrong; how does killing people who you disagree with prove them right?"

Another gray mask came behind Resonantia, releasing Qui Durat to stop herself from getting stabbed. However, Fractura then stood in her path.

Maybe Qui Durat, "Ah, the man who killed his parents, good to meet you."

The hyena man rolled his eyes.

Fractura, "Yup, I killed my abusive parents; what of it? No one cares about dirtbags who beat children, most of all me."

Fractura moved in to strike Qui Durat, but tripped on the fallen gray mask Resonantia threw to the ground. Now free to move, Qui Durat walked around the hyena man and almost made it to the exit until Tempestas jumped in front of her.

Maybe Qui Durat, "So ready to kill for me, and yet here you are standing against me."

Tempestas, "First, you're dead. Second, people make mistakes, and it is easy to see them when others forgive you for them."

As the badger girl charged at Qui Durat, the creature drew a dagger and parrying dagger, which she used to grab Tempestas's short sword, use the dagger to stab, and then throw her off to the side. Qui Durat made it to the exit but had to dodge, without looking, Aestus's spear. Then she turned to face the otter girl and said,

Maybe Qui Durat, "What ever happened to your traditions?"

Aestus, "What?"

Maybe Qui Durat, "Your people once worshiped the living water and stones. Why have you abandoned your faith?"

Aestus, "What?"

Maybe Qui Durat, "You left behind your ways for what? A foreign god?"

Aestus, "I don't really understand what you are saying."

The gray mask turned around and passed a few gray masks, only to run into Venatio.

Venatio, "Looks like it is my turn. Hit me!"

Maybe Qui Durat, "Still running from the law?"

Venatio, "Pfft, is that it? Come on, I know I've done worse than burning down some losers house when I was twenty."

Maybe Qui Durat, "People like you are doomed to hell for leaving their child to die."

Venatio, "I got plenty more where he came from. Besides, Furtim was the one to abandon me along with the rest of our family. Maybe if he called, I would have offered him a home. Anything else? Come on, this is fun."

Maybe Qui Durat, "You'll die in the Nexus Prime like everyone else; Data Error will fail, like always."

Venatio, "I'm already old as rotten milk, so what if I die soon, and why do you think I care about my former employer? These people dragged everyone here into this hell hole, so screw him and all of his people."

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Chapter 250

Qui Durat turned back to where Aestus was. She grabbed one of her gray mask allies and pushed it into the otter girl so that she could run past Aestus.

The battle was almost over, so Iratus and Victoria ran the other way in hopes of cutting off Qui Durat. They made it just in time to stand at the entrance of the castle and stare down at Qui Durat, with the city now almost entirely in a blaze in the back.

Qui Durat, "I am the Qui Durat."

Victoria started to reload her crossbow as Iratus tried to hold down the gray mask. With his superior range, he easily shut down anything Qui Durat tried.

Qui Durat, "I am the Qui Durat."

Somehow, Iratus found his blade caught by the parrying dagger and was nearly disarmed by it. Iratus managed to wrestle his sword out of the dagger, only for Qui Durat to throw her dagger at him. Iratus braced himself, and his padded armor resisted the dagger. Iratus was proud that he stood stalwart and did not get distracted by the throw, but despite being fully disciplined and ready for the dagger, for some reason his body still spasmed, to his confusion, and then he dropped his long sword.

Victoria fired a crossbow bolt, which Qui Durat, without looking, swatted away with her remaining dagger, but luckily, the gray mask lost her grip on the parrying dagger as two of her fingers were blasted off her hand.

Qui Durat, "I am the Qui Durat."

This opening gave Iratus time to move in for the grapple and then throw Qui Durat against the wall. He came in for a punch, but the gray mask barely raised a palm to deflect the punch, and for some reason, Iratus fell forward and saw his fist slam into the wall, causing great pain to himself. Qui Durat suddenly shivered as dozens of razor blades sprouted from both her arms. grabbed and stabbed Iratus, only to throw him to the side. She then turned to block another bolt from Victoria but failed, and the bolt sank into her chest.

Iratus grabbed his sword but had to immediately block it as Qui Durat spun all the way around and slammed her bladed arm into Iratus, staggering him and nearly throwing him to the ground. Victoria came up from behind and stabbed the monster with her short blade. Iratus regained his footing, but as he swung his sword around for an attack, his blade slipped out of his grasp and went flying. Vicrotia tried to pull her blade out, but it snapped in half instead. Iratus punched the monster in the black void that was its face and felt like he punched a glass face, which of course really hurt his knuckles.

Victoria grabbed Qui Durat and then srived the broken blade into the black void face, where the chin would be, and Qui Durat bled red before falling to the ground.
 
Qui Durat, "I am...I am..Qui Durat."

Victoria gave a final kick before the black void face disappeared and revealed a fleshy, empty skull.

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EPISDOE 25: END

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Episode 25 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 14
Coverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork, a lot of minor damage, and torso tear), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet
Weapons: Long Sword, 3x Knifes, Short Sword
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 33 oval copper coins, 7 small silver bricks, 6 gemstones, 20 fine silver coins,20 fine gold coins

Wounds: Shoulder, stab wound (minor), Stomach, stab wound (minor)

Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, a lot of animal bones, 3 glass jar, 1 fish net, fishing gear, primitive sewing kit, trowel, woodcutting axe, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, some of sheets, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, some medical supplies, a strange device (Gameboy-like device), lots of wooden planks and boards, wood glue, sandpaper, compass, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, lots of rope, a large barrel, some ink, 1 papyrus paper, 3 hide paper (parchments), 80 cloaks and other clothing materials, some alcohol, some primitive medicine, some fabrics, 6 carts, 11 tattered tents, skin drum

Armory: 10 wooden spears, 56 short swords, 53 knifes, 25 daggers, 34 metal spears, 2 hand bombs, 21 rusted weapons, many armor pieces, ruined metal armor, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), box of unknown ammo, 4 hunting traps, 3 snares, 2 pistols (no ammo), 12 unknown bullets
Aestus: leather vest, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword
Victoria: scrap metal breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, flashlight
Resonanita: breastplate, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, compound bow, flashlight
Ignis: leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar

Treasure: 88 oval copper coins, 33 oval silver coins 74 ancient metal coins, 40 fine silver coins, 44 fine gold coins, 23 fine copper coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a handful of sparkling glass beads, a small wooden trinket box, a collection of delicate, hand-painted porcelain charms, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, 157 copper lion coins, 25 silver lion coins, 14 gold lion coins, 165 wolfen metal coins

Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools), Guest Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding)

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in)

Books: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Special documentary on Nexus Prime #34, 16 Broken Tower documents, Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series)

Year 0, Day 104

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(Extra Stories)

Extra Story 1

(some time ago) Determinationis fell to the ground, the base camp in flames, with a few people from different planets and times scattered around, dead.

A human-like figure walked out of the forest. He had light green skin, long pale brown hair, and was wearing an old-styled tank top but modern-like blue jeans, as well as a red oni mask from Earth's Japan. He was flanked by the brown, cloaked gray masks.

Oni mask, "You killed your own allies?"

Determinationis, "Allies? I just met them. I didn't know them, and I still don't know where I am. Besides, it was your men that did this...I assume you're the leader here."

Oni mask, "Those people only wanted to trade with you; you should not have stolen from them if you didn't want to be locked up. Regardless, thank you for setting off that explosion; it made this much easier."

Determinationis, "Don't steal? Do you know who I am? They had so much food and didn't give me any. I'm not going to just starve to death. Also, what would you know? It isn't like you were there."

Oni mask, "And now no one gets anything. Classic. However, I would like to offer you a job. The pay? Whatever you wish."

Determinationis, "You guys just killed a bunch of people. How am I even supposed to trust you?"

Oni mask, "Are you saying you have not killed a bunch of people? How about I give you my name to start off our new friendship? I am Kollektivi, the Sin Lord of Dictatorship."

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Extra Story 2

(unknown time ago, Ascendance) A book was opened to a page that detailed the missing Anguis Marinus, a large battleship of old that went missing for a time. On the desk, several photos were thrown onto it. They were the photos taken before the ship set sail and after it was found, with a clear lack of maintenance keeping it clean. Two redpandafolk talked in the background.

First Male Voice, "So there were no cadavers or disturbances to be found?"

Second Male Voice, "Indeed, there were no cadavers, and the scene remained entirely undisturbed. It was almost as if each person aboard had ascended from the vessel. The official narrative proclaims their capture by marauders, yet why, I ponder, did these brigands seize nothing else?"

First Male Voice, "If I may ask a more discreet inquiry, what, in truth, does the government think transpired?"

Second Male Voice, "We are unequivocally bereft of insight regarding this situation. It was not lost out in the vast oceans, and the inexplicable evanescence of these individuals defies logic."

First Male Voice, "Indeed, how did this ship evade detection within the Gold Sea for so long?"

Second Male Voice, "Were we to endorse the pirate fable, we could rationalize it as their clandestine return of the vessel to the sea. Alternatively, we attribute its elusion to mere fortune, for within such a confined maritime realm, its concealment would have been an improbable feat."

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