True Deceit

Chapter 61: The Spirit of Good

Patton pulled open his eyes, straightening his back with a light moan. The agonising burning had ceased, if just for the moment. He struggled forward, inching along the corridor.

"Dad, where are you going?" Roman questioned seriously, briskly standing to his feet. Patton was wordless, trailing down the corridor in a trance like state. He stood before the double cell doors, staring at the ceiling with shimmering eyes. 

"Somebody's up there, give me a boost Roman!"

"For Disney sake, there's nothing there!" Roman crossed his arms over his chest, frustration looming over him in a desolate wave. 

Patton grabbed his shoulders, begging dramatically. "Please, let me up, let me up!"

"Do what he says," Virgil responded hastily. "Maybe there really is something, and we just can't see it."

Roman stared at his boyfriend, before reluctantly hunching his spine. Patton leapt atop his shoulders with an enormous grin, scrambling to touch roof with the tips of his fingers. He lifted a lurched tile, pressing the lid upward to reveal an extendable ladder which folded down to Virgil's feet. 

"No way, an attic?" Roman marvelled, heaving Patton from his shoulders. Morality grasped for the sturdy metal climbing frame, advancing nimbly to the secret entrance. The pair followed suit, climbing into the dimly lit expanse. "Virgil, are you okay?" 

Virgil brushed his cheek against the prince's shoulder as they met the wooden floor, glancing anxiously around the uncertain darkness. "I'm okay so long as you're here, Princey."

Roman's skin tingled warmly, he kissed the emo's forehead before stepping into the unfamiliar territory. Patton dove towards a large, nave blue tarp, dragging the blanket away to reveal a golden figure with his back pressed against the attic wall. The man had silky shimmering hair which flowed down to his thighs, and a kindly smile which brought Patton to indescribable ease. 

"Wow," Patton gasped, amazement pure on his face. "Are you... The spirit of Good?" 

"Kind forbear, I ensure more than just good, I am the embodiment of Forgiveness." Despite his godly aurora there was a sadness in his eyes, a sense of vulnerability which brought worry to Patton's lips.  

"Are you okay? What are you doing up here?" 

Forgiveness slowly turned his hunched spine and raised his golden arms, revealing thick bounding chains cuffing his wrists to the floor. Black arrows speared his back, bleeding tar into his gleaming skin. "Some time ago Vengeance was determined to take my life, cutting and bruising me until I could no longer fight. Here he imprisoned me, for he could not kill me due to prophecy, stranding me weak and defenceless against his terrible reign of evil." Patton gasped, scurrying to his aid and clawing the steal bondage holding him firmly in place. The spirit smiled weakly, tears gathering in his eyes. "No goodness can break these chains, only the touch of a dark side who will never succumb to the light. I'll never be free Morality, I am worthless prisoner for the rest of my life." 

"A dark side?" Roman repeated coyly, stepping forward with a low bow. "My name is The Prince of Creativity, Roman. This is Virgil, a former dark side and embodiment of Anxiety. Perhaps he could be of some assistance?" 

The spirit practically chocked on surprise, flinching backward with a look of anguish on his face. "You've captured a minion? But how?"

"Captured? No, no, no. He's one of us now, you can trust him." The prince beamed fondly, grasping Virgil's elbow and jerking him forward. The anxious side sweat uncomfortably, his heart fluttering in his chest. 

"Y-yeah, maybe I can help." Virgil hesitantly crouched to the spirit's side, lowering his sheepish gaze as he rested his hands atop the metal bondage. With a bright flash it dissipated in an instant, releasing his wrists. 

The spirit of caressed his hands as he slowly stood to his feet, a silent shock descending upon him. Each movement sent waves of liberation flooding through his system, until at last he uttered suspiciously. "Thank you, I never expected such mercy from a dark side." 

Virgil blushed slightly, his shoulders tense. "T-that's okay? And I, I'm not a minion..." 

"Isn't Deceit your master?"

A fist full of panic slammed into his gut, a hot flush immersing his body. "N-no!" 

The spirit hummed innocently. "But he's your natural superior! Also, isn't your name Paranoia?"

"Okay, that's enough," Roman raised his voice, clearing his throat. "Virgil doesn't go by Paranoia anymore, he is firmly Anxiety. Also, Deceit and Intrusive Thoughts are all on our side now, so the only enemy we have is The Spirit of Evil, and he's been banished into the void where he belongs." 

Forgiveness's smile faded, replaced with the creased eyebrows of doubt. "No, brave forbear, he has escaped, and is currently attempting to thrust his way through my new force field. We are running out of time, sooner or later my magic will drain, and we will be fledged in an arduous battle for our lives. Furthermore, Deceit can not be trusted, he is the epitome of misconduct and will surely betray us all."

"No, Deceit is our friend," Patton exclaimed proudly, "He hates Vengeance, just as we do." 

The sound of clambering filled the attic. All four turned their heads towards the entrance, spying Remus who cheerfully waved. "A party in a dungeon attic with a golden demon? Why was I not invited?" 

The spirit bleated fearfully, holding his palms flat in his direction. "Don't move, Vassel, or I'll shoot sinless magic in your face, you'll see what I can do to you!"

"Whoa, hey, put those down Forgiveness, Remus is good." Roman steadily grabbed his golden wrists, lowering his arms.

The spirit spat harshly in response. "I know more of the great evil inside of him than any of you do, you are a fool for believing someone born of harm could ever be trusted, and as for you," he pointed a mean finger towards Virgil. "One act of kindness doesn't set you apart from the rest. You are evil, any other claim is a vile falsehood."