Tales of Undeath: The Von Virtus Chronicles

XLVI. ... And the Mirror Cracked

The mob's fury surged like a storm as Cabdan approached, his swagger fueled by his arrogance and the presence of the imposing figure at his side. Shouts and curses erupted from every corner, the air alive with the bitter rage of a people long oppressed. Yet, for all their rage, none dared lash out. The ominous aura of Cabdan's mysterious companion, combined with the malevolent glow of the black ring on his pinky, held them frozen in place.

Cabdan: "You're all bark and no bite. Settle down..."

He halted just a few steps from the edge of the crowd, his smug grin practically daring someone to challenge him.

Cabdan: "I'm no fool. I know you all want me gone -- preferably in a splintered, rotting coffin. And I'm more than willing to leave you to your pathetic little lives if you'll do just one thing for me: tell me where Virno von Virtus is. Help me, and nobody has to get hurt."

The crowd roared in response, their cries a mixture of scorn and disbelief. But then, cutting through the chaos, a small figure pushed her way to the front. Tyssa, her face a mask of fury, emerged from the throng, sword in hand.

Cabdan: "Ah..."

She raised the blade, her hands steady, her resolve unshakable. There was no hesitation in her movements, no doubt in her eyes.

Tyssa: "You're disgusting. After everything you've done, how can you *dare* speak to us like this?"

Cabdan's grin widened as he took a step toward her, arms spread wide as if welcoming an embrace.

Cabdan: "Tyssa, my sweet! What's gotten into you? Is that any way to treat me...?!"

Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the sword tighter.

Tyssa: "SHUT UP!"

The force of her voice startled the crowd -- and even Cabdan, who took a step back.

Tyssa: "I was so naïve. I thought I could trust you. I thought everyone else was wrong about you -- that you were a kind soul surrounded by terrible people. But now I see you for what you are: a greedy, pathetic man who uses and abuses everyone around him to get what he wants. Just looking at you makes me sick!"

Cabdan chuckled dismissively, brushing a speck of dust off his coat.

Cabdan: "My dear, I don't know what lies these people have been feeding you, but you know you can trust me. You *always* could. Come stand by my side, and I'll forget this-"

Tyssa: "TAKE ME SERIOUSLY, YOU FAT BASTARD!"

She lunged forward, her blade stopping mere inches from his face. Cabdan's confident grin faltered, replaced by a flicker of fear as he stumbled back and fell to the ground.

Tyssa: "Yiel... What happened to him? I want the truth!"

Lunalus witnessed all of this with a deep sadness -- as if Tyssa's pain was his own. He wiped a single tear from his face, refraining from intervening.

Cabdan: "I told you the truth already...! Of course I did not go into detail, you would not want to hear how he was-"

Tyssa: "BARR WAS JUST A KID! Are you really telling me he decided to end my brother's life of his own accord?!"

From his position on the ground, Cabdan's expression shifted -- fear giving way to something darker. He stood, brushing off his coat, his demeanor suddenly cold and unguarded.

Cabdan: "The truth, is it...? Very well, then. The moment I stepped into that miserable hovel of yours, filled with the stench of your rotting parents, I saw an opportunity. Your family's debt was nothing compared to what I could make off someone like you... So precious. So young. But your brother -- oh, your brother..."