Aster lands in a another world where he finds himself on the private property of a crime syndicate. Initially he isn't accepted, but it is his goal to rise up the ranks and get recognition within the syndicate as it's the only thing he has!
Side Not...
Night fell, and still unbeknownst to all goings on, Rou stood by the mansion waterfall, letting the freshwater air fill his exhausted lungs. A slight tinge of frostbite hit his cheek, as he tried to get over all the things that provoked him today. Had he attacked Lin in some manner, he could have done serious damage to his mind. Uncovering the source of his uncontrollable emotions was more important than ever.
As he continued to walk around, the wind picked up speed enough for Rou to feel the intense breeze in his cape. "Come back, Rou.", he heard echoing in the distance. Could it be Vox? Could it be one of his soldiers? Simply his delusion? He was so unsure of himself, but as soon as the wind stopped, he felt a sense of warmth around his body, as if he were being embraced from behind. Was love what he needed? The presence calmed him, almost as if he'd felt it before.
He relaxed, allowing his face to lean back slightly to savor the first genuine emotion that came to him in a long while. Suddenly, his cape was lifted from his back. Without losing his sense of balance, he was brought upright, and was greeted by the mystical voice. "Rou, don't be far gone. You've become too strong to give up.", they whispered. "Who are you?!", exclaimed Rou. "You should know already, Rou Madrigal.", the voice replied.
"Lin, that's not you is it?!", asked a paranoid Rou. "Lin!?" He looked around, but no other man could be seen anywhere. He looked back in the direction of the voice. "How do you know my last name?! I had it wiped from my records two years ago! Unless...". Rou edged closer to the warmth, "It's you, isn't it?", he questioned with relief. The spirit seemingly pulled him even closer, "Kakei, it really is you...", he muttered crying tears of joy.
"Give into your delusion Rou, it's worth worth living a life you don't want.", the spirit of his boyfriend declared. "My delusion? What do you mean? You're right here!", insisted Rou. "You're in an illusion, one that's powerful enough to affect people far more powerful than you.", the spirit stated calmly. "Then who are you?", asked Rou. The spirit raised its hands, "That's something you'll just have to find out...", he continued, never taking his eyes off of Rou as he proceeded to disappear from view.
"What was that?!", exclaimed Rou, as he searched for his vanished lover. "What was I supposed to say?!," he yelled in desperation. His face flushed as he realized how rude his outburst was. He turned and ran back into the mansion, keeping to the closest side of the home. "Where's Kakei?", he continued to shout, eventually running into Vox by accident. "Rou, it's gonna be ok.", Vox comforted. "I know he's not really there.", he continued in despair, "But I have no idea where he went! He was with me a minute ago!", he demanded to know.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Things will be changing from here on out, you're looking for familiarity Rou.", responded the fae. The consigliere took Rou in his arms and hugged him tightly, "Why are you always so kind to me?", the blue haired man uttered. "You're integral to this syndicate's future Rou, if you just hear me out this time.", he answered. "Your death means a loss of the power we'll need, without you, who can direct the syndicate's actions? Fleur? Do you think she can handle such responsibility?", Vox questioned.
"If you want something from me, just tell me...", muttered Rou. Vox revealed what he needed, "The magical barrier around the mansion just won't be enough in the current climate, I believe sone sort of physical barrier is necessary too", he suggested. "A physical barrier? If you're taking about Lin sneaking in here again...I'll oblige...", Rou responded shamelessly. "But first, how much power do you think you can harness?", Vox asked.
"Power? You said yourself I'm a force to be reckoned with.", Rou said in confusion. "I'll need you to use that staff of yours, and not just to hit people.", Vox declared. Rou stared at the green man in shock, "It's too dangerous, last time I used it I...", he stopped talking in fear of overthinking. "You're in a haven of equality Rou, this is to keep us in and people that could harm this group out.", asserted Vox. "Very well, I'll use the staff to create an ice wall...", Rou replied.
The two men headed to the entrance if the mansion, Rou with his staff in gripe and Vox with a head full of new possibilities for his plan. Raising the sapphire scepter high in the air, the breeze got colder and colder. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?", called out a familiar mysterious voice, but Rou blocked it out this time. Millions of ice fractals surrounded the mansion, growing taller and taller, eventually encircling the whole thing. Everyone was trapped.
In the distance, Fleur's group looked on at the large dome of ice beyond them. "Seems like our plans of sneaking back will have to wait...", remarked Sulena. Fleur furrowed her brows, "So that's it, we retreat?", questioned the elf girl. "It's the only way, we need to gather far more power to take on that wall...", Sulena assessed. "I wasn't even aware Rou could do this...", Fleur reflected. Viper took her shoulder, "I'm afraid this is the turning point, the path from here on out will either be bright or bleak.", she commented.
The end was nigh.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
