A Crumbling Society

Part 2-29

I had a few blocks until the museum, so I needed to leave now while it's still light. Checking the panel one last time making sure the direction was right I headed down the street. Trash and other things filled the path ahead of me, everyone must have left fast and threw what they could where they could. Clothing was now on the sidewalk matted down and discolored, some stuffed animals too. Apocalypse would be an understatement if that makes any sense. A few booms were heard in the distance as I walked. Part of me wondered what was going on with the front lines, another wishes I was helping Embris and Dusk. A third part of me doesn't really care what the mages are doing since they wanted to blame me with no evidence or probable cause. I'd assume once the Hexwitches came into power they were trying to get the Ghouls to work for them aside from the Hell Titans. Half-life beings that have followed the dark since as long as they've existed, they'll linger as you're hanging onto the last piece of life you have just so to get your soul. Then I bet they moved on to the Muts of Valsyri that are outcasted beings, there was an era where they exiled a ton of people. After a few years this group congregated and began rituals on themselves. It was all a way to seek revenge, but they were permanently changed into mindless bodies. Their allegiance lies with the Hexwitches because they can relate and are persuaded by magic. Three different magical species that I guarantee jumped on the opportunity for a revolt once they came back into power. This is also bad because they'll kill the entire realm to do so and won't care. Ultimately, Valtera is in good hands, Dusk was pretty cool and by her mannerisms to Embris I'd bet she's a member of the guild. Both of them are extremely strong and could handle a fight, or several. Ankastle might be a big struggle since its staff and two classes worth of students could actually fight. Plus, there was no way of telling if Ichencrest and Thornrift got stuck there after the ordeal or if they returned home. Thornrift probably wouldn't have helped anyway but it still makes good food for thought. I was now three blocks into my walk and still had a good way to go. Some movement in the alley made me jump, but it was only a cat, exposing its stomach in passing like it didn't care about the attacks. Keeping its spot to watch me pass, and then I crossed an opening with some buildings and apartments.

One particular topic popped into my head crossing a street and coming around a neighborhood. The only thing to ask myself was why in all of hell was Royal Welterfare involved in this, he's just a bad guy. No villain, but downright not the best person to have around. He's the most selfish guy I've met, and he acts like nothing is wrong with himself, no accountability. Communication would have been nice too instead of telling me he was sorry about Reena. Staring at me didn't help either but that's who he is, extremely confusing! Asking him about it all could help, but it could also be a trap or just a bad idea in general. The council would figure out a way to use that against him if they knew he shared visions with me. A group of mages rushed by, and I hid behind a fence. They were talking about a part in the force field that might go down and how they needed reinforcements. Hearing this made me pick up speed after they moved farther away because if the protection goes, the city goes. Hexwitches and other things will be targeting the museum themselves and then I'll lose my chance. Getting further from the neighborhood, some shops surrounded me, and the windows had my wanted poster. Some of them contained the same information the Queen gave; others were full of lies and propaganda. Apparently, I was recruiting for a team that didn't exist, another said I was toxic and would hand you over to a Hexwitch. Others put out that I was a magic psycho and couldn't be trusted, there was one that really got me mad. The picture of me had killer next to it, telling everyone I killed the Legion and that I was coming for the mages. Looking around I noticed that one was taking up almost all the windows, it started digging into my head that I did it. I've revealed that I know it wasn't my fault but seeing it and hearing it over and over is really starting to convince me. I should have known they weren't defeated even though Starlight threw Antakarta into the building and it demolished into the sea. Anyone would have thought they were goners, but I didn't pay enough attention. It feels like I'm being called out for getting them together, taking them to get Archaic, if I hadn't gone to see Worm then we wouldn't have been tracked either. Yet, no matter what I do there's no convincing anyone of a fairer image, one where I'm still a renowned "hero" like before.