True Deceit

Chapter 72: Remus

Remus observed each of his friends. Logan with his long green tinted mane and green computer binary scripted across his arms. Patton with ears of fur, a galaxy of purple and blue upon his pale cheeks and healing magic on the tips of his fingers. Virgil with the ears and wings of a bat, Roman with the talons and feathers of a hawk, and Janus with scales covering every inch of his body. Thomas looked to him, waiting to see what he would become. 

Remus was ready. He stood firm, creative excitement bounding in his chest. "Light me up!" 

Forgiveness rolled his eyes, but reluctantly threw a bolt into his chest. His body was overcome with electricity, bringing him to the ground in a harsh thud. His ears pricked and hardened with light grey fur and his nose became damp and sensual. Claws extended from his hands, which were now more accurately paws, and a thick wolf's tale stuck out his backside.

A deep howl erupted from inside of him, his eyes shiny and wide. "Omg Thomas, I have a dog's butt! Imagine me, shitting on your carpet." 

The spirit glowered. "Remus has a keener sense of smell and an innate physical ability. You can run three times as fast as before, and your tail can be turned into a sword, of sorts." 

Remus felt his tale harden and turn into a sliver saber. "Oh, would you look at that? My tail is having an erection." He held it in his grip, observing it's pointy edge. 

"Alright, alright that's enough dirty jokes," Virgil cringed. 

The spirit cleared his throat, glancing directly at Thomas. "Are you ready to see the scriptures?" 

The host swallowed, pale faced. "Let's do this." 

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The room began to shift. Remus, for once, let out a real scream. "What the heck?? The fucking walls are melting!" 

Virgil stumbled sickly, his wings flapping uselessly through his hoodie as he tried to pull himself upright as the room became a blur, wheezing through the puffy clouds of white smoke and what felt like water flooding the atmosphere. His stomach lurched, knowing full well he was going to vomit yet again from another round of vertigo. 

"Patton, move!" Janus hissed loudly, grabbing Patton's upper arm and yanking him away from the burning aqueous walls. A spurt of boiling liquid barley missed the mouse's cheek, but landed directly onto the snake's outstretched glove, eating away the material and leaving a painful singe on his knuckles. 

Logan was swept off his feet and thrusted back first into the wall, but was saved by the glimmering forcefield which sprung him forward. Then, in what Remus thought was more luck than ill-fate, Logan fell onto him. Except, the laws of physics in the spirit realm didn't really seem to apply as they were both fumbling in mid air. The two staggered cumbersomely, their crotches conveniently pressed against each other and their lips only inches apart. 

Logan froze, his lips twitching. He shivered as Remus pressed against him harder, a nefarious grin on his face. "Wow Lo, even when gravity doesn't exist, you still manage to fall for me." Logan tried to speak, but he couldn't make a sound. 

Forgiveness spread his arms out wide, his shimmering aurora filling the room as he steadied the trembling walls. The space was now a rich empty navy blue with elegant cursive scribing each face of the room. 

"Do you see that pyramid?" He gestured to the ceiling, where a huge pyramid was etched with Etched each dark side's symbol printed in silver. On the bottom layer was Paranoia, on the middle section is Remus, and on the tip stood the all powerful Deceit. "This is proof that you are meant to obey the Vengence's feudal system!" 

Janus floated with his eyes glued to the ceiling, his heart sinking into his chest. Beside the pyramid was a large circle displaying Creativity, Morality and Logic in an equal circle, with a clear cutting line slicing between him and Patton. 

"Do you know what that line means, Janus?" Forgiveness purred. "That represents the polar opposition between you and Morality. I know you hate the truth, but this is it. You were meant to be evil. That is just who you are." 

The room was silent for a long minute. Patton was shivering, but no one seemed to notice with their eyes on Janus. Roman felt his wings sharpen, fear hightning inside of him as he worried what he would do next. 

"No." Janus whispered. He shook his head. "You can look at me and tell me I'm evil, but you can't honestly expect me to believe that Virgil or Remus aren't destined for more than obeying me."

"Yes, and what leads you to think these scriptures are gospel, Forgiveness?" Logan spoke up. Forgiveness bit down on his lip, his eyes misplaced for a moment. Logan sensed hesitancy. "Why can't things change?"

"The dark side can't change," The spirit mumbled. 

"How do you know?" Logan pressed. 

He exhaled painfully, his voice meek and tired. "Because I tried, once."