A Crumbling Society

Part 1-17

"Let's start with why villains are after me, what did I do specifically to be targeted. I haven't even been doing heroics for a few years and two show up and want me dead immediately", I blurted out.

"Hmmm, yes. I heard something about you being a top priority to bring in, you have the most connections to the Warrior Legion", he looked at Liza, "and they need you to get to them." His eyes trailed Liza's figure up and down.

"Bloodlust said he wanted to kill me, not bring me in"

"Yes, well that's what happens when the government hires a demon"

"So, the government is behind it?"

"In a sense"

"What does that mean?"

"Well, if I told you everything then it wouldn't be as fun"

"Don't play games, not right now"

"Sure, so what's next?", he sort of shrugged off my concern.

"When I astral walked, there was a shadow figure on the president, it attacked me when I got close, is there any new villain with powers similar to this thing?"

"I haven't heard of it, the powers I mean, I get some who brag about newbies, and I haven't heard anything close to this"

"Then what was it...", I figured I'll think on this one, so I moved on to the next question, "So then tell me what's up with a villain's team"

"Ah, my favorite thing, it's something that the government felt was necessary so that they had a better grip on you guys"

"Better grip my ass"

"Well yeah, but it benefits them, if there are attacks then their new team can save the day and can win the hearts of everyone. They'll flourish and you guys will die out eventually. This could be the era of villains!" Worm's hand stamped the air on each word as he imagined it.

"Not if we stop it", Liza chimed in with a "yeah". "Wait, if the government is doing all this, isn't all this from the president? Wouldn't that mean he's in charge of it, or... I just find it weird he would support any of this having met the guy. It doesn't make sense to me at all. He pushed to get us instated as heroes, he set us up to protect everyone"

"Then I guess you all failed"

"No! That means he failed!"

"Then what is Summoner going to do about it?

"Don't be smug, that's why Im here so I can question you about any bit you might know. Come to think of it, it wasn't a demon that was latched to the president, I'd have figure that out by now. I still feel that whatever it was, was probably there to do something, I just can't figure out what".

"You're guess is as good as mine, I don't know anything about demons and such"

"That is true, but maybe there's more to it than what I can see right now. I do know that there's a purpose for the Warrior Legion to return. Whatever it takes, they will stop the Society and end all of this and the heroes will be praised again.

"If that's how you feel, you know I don't support either but in today's world, it's better to stick to what I've known and I'm ultimately going to side with the villains. Don't take it personal but, If I were either of you, I'd turn yourselves in, so people stop dying, or even your friends"

"You don't get to say that", Liza butted in. "You have no idea what it's like, you sit down here in a hole and work on your "toys" and think you're making a difference because you get paid either way. You don't know sacrifice, you don't know what it's like to not be able to make that difference because if I do, I risk everything and everyone I know, innocent people, families, friends, and even loved ones. You're nothing but a coward who dwells in the dark because that's the only thing your heart sees."

"Well, if that's how you want to see it, then you can see yourself out!?"

"Gladly!", Liza said standing up. She stopped for a minute to see if I was following, I told her to go without me for now, I had one more question to ask before leaving. Liza seemed a little irritated as I expected considering, but she nodded. She looked in Worm's direction, "and just so you know, you contradict yourself saying you don't support either but are willing to side with the villains" before walking out. He made a face that somewhat acknowledged what she said and how he looked because of it. I saw him shrug before asking him to tell me about Valsyri, and what's going on over there. "Apparently, the council is getting together but I didn't know about it, neither did my ex protégé. Something is going on!" to asked concernedly. I was relieved Liza wasn't here, and not in a bad way, I just don't really care to talk about magic and she's very hyper to the topic.

He looked interested, "well... I do know that the council is meeting soon, and they're not happy. They caught wind of what's going on here and it's affecting the magic world as well. You know they don't like helping the humans but with a villain's team and the way things are going, I'd say they're trying to figure something out to stop it too."

"So then why didn't I sense it? That makes no sense at all because I'm a master mage and we are supposed to be the ones to feel these things first."

"I guess you're losing your touch then"

I rolled my eyes, "not if I can still turn you to ash where you sit without batting an eyelash", I threatened.

He gave me a look that questions if I was joking or being serious. For sure there'd be no reason to joke about that but that's what he wants to think. "I don't know why you didn't know this then", he continues. "That is weird, especially for master mages, but, not uncommon unless someone doesn't want you to know. The Hexwitches cause trouble too and that might be something the council is dealing with on top of things. They're very active lately."

"Why would someone mask me and Castor from feeling it at all?"

"Don't know"

"When are they meeting then?"

"Not sure, I didn't get that information, just the basics related to everything you've asked me so far."

"You know, you are a help and not a help all at the same time."

"That's a better compliment than your friend"

"Oh, believe me I've got worse to say, this just isn't the time to do it"

"So that's it then?"

"Sure, well... how's the, nah never mind", I trailed off. I got up and told him thanks for the information and headed back out towards the opening. Liza was standing up near where we entered, and I walked back up the stairs. She asked me if everything was okay and I told her it was, which was a partial lie. I don't want her to stress about me stressing over why I couldn't understand something so simple as the council meeting when I'm a powerful mage. It's practically unheard of and yet, I fell into the category this time. It was unimportant at the moment so yeah; I lied a little but told her we could go now. She motioned a hand towards me only to show she was pointing passed my head. I turned around and Worm was walking back up to us. "What's up" I asked as he got nearer.

"I just wanted to add, that if there's something attached to the president, and it's not doing any physical harm, then maybe it's there to tell you something instead of why you think it's there. It would explain why you think it isn't a demon. Also, maybe the council kept their meeting hidden from you on purpose, it's just a thought but it sort of makes sense."

"Okay, thanks", I sort of dismissed. I think Liza and I were just done from this experience mentally.

"Yup",he replied, and walked back down the hall to the room we were just in.