DeadLocked

Chapter 11- Mark of the Beast

Chapter 11

Mark of the Beast

~11 players remaining~

~O~

[ Bradley's POV ]

Out of all the times I asked myself, is this really a good idea? When I approached the attic had to be the most drastic. Three days had passed, and now I had to meet my fate in the form of a friendly chat with Abigail. Finn and Tobi stood behind me, watching carefully. "We'll be right here, if anything happens just yell." Finn said, placing a firm hand on my shoulder to reassure me. I was ready to face her, and I needed to ask what that...smoke, that came out of her was. I pulled the rope to the attic and watched the ladder fold down, dust falling with it. I turned around and hugged the two friends who came to wish me luck, squeezing tightly. "Amelia will be avenged." I whispered. "I'll make sure of it." I was still broken about my cousin, only a few hours having passed since she died. When I was done saying what felt like a goodbye, I ascended into the musty space. The door closed as soon as I got off the ladder, startling me.

"You came." Abigail's voice was quiet. I turned to face her, and nodded. "Yes. You already know my secret, what other things could I be hiding?" I said sternly, taking a bold step towards her. It was then that I noticed the blood, she was still injured. "You're powerful Bradley. No ordinary person could inflict this much damage onto me." She wheezed, not facing me. I saw the gashes still littered her back, but they looked foggy. "I'll be healing while we talk. No funny business." She said, turning to look at me. Her brown eyes faded in and out, going from normal to demonic. I nodded and sat down on the floor, she mirrored my actions. "First, I want you to know that...what you saw, wasn't me."
"I gathered that much." I said in response to the black smoke growing thicker around her. "This is the energy my, boss, you could call her; gave to me. It's my power source, but it has a mind of it's own. Like a little piece of my boss is inside me." she snickered, letting out a heavy sigh.

I looked around the attic again, it was the same quiet place, and it felt dreadfully small. I figured there was another part of it that had been closed off, or something. "Okay, so what else."
"Your power is something i'd like to discuss." Abigail smirked, hair falling slightly into her face. "The power I'm still blissfully unaware of?" I asked, leaning back on my hands. "Yes." she said. She looked over at my hand and tilted her head. "If I may, can I see that ring?" She asked, and I looked down at the gift she'd given me. The blue and gold ring. I'd totally forgotten about it. "Sure..." I pulled it off and as soon as it left my hand I felt drained. All the energy in me vanished and I nearly fell backward. Abigail noticed this, and narrowed her brows. "Yes, this is the key." she hummed. "Anarchy gave me this to give to you. She didn't tell me why, only that it was crucial you had it."

"If Anarchy wants me dead then why give me a power boost in the form of some old ring? Isn't that totally backwards?" I asked, holding out my hand for Abigail to return the ring. I slipped it back on and I was filled with strength. It seemed to glow when it settled in place too. "Arc wants to test you. I think a final duel to settle the score between you and her." She said, taking a deep breath as the dark energy around her continued healing her injuries. "But why? She has it out for my grandfather not me, so what's the point?" I said, looking at her directly. "I..don't know. She never told me." Abigail looked down, and I did the same. "But she did tell me to give you something else. It's the brand the host player must give to a chosen one." She stood up, walking to the window. "Don't struggle, or this will be a lot worse. It's not to kill you, it's more of a-" She coughed, pulling a small switchblade out of her dress. "-reminder? It wasn't my idea. I have to do what Anarchy tells me."