True Deceit

Chapter 37: Janus

TW- Eating problems

Janus stared at the meal with tired eyes, curving himself over the bench like a hunchback. He'd attempted to force the potato and sausages down his throat, but he couldn't quite drive the nourishment into himself.

That's when he saw out the corner of his eye, The spirit of Evil staring at him through the glass.

"Vengeance," The snake hissed lowly. He'd met the maleficent spirit almost two decades earlier, remembering well of his wispy figure and nightmarish eyes. "What are you doing here? I thought we'd made a deal."

The shadow pouted, fading through the glass and standing beside Janus. "I couldn't resist, with all the chaos in the air."

"You swore to me you would never appear, so long as I closed the connection between the Light and Dark side so you could continue to reign in spirit."

"Yes, and as I'm sure you noticed, that promise has fallen flat on its face," he grimaced. "Virgil and Remus have already betrayed me and my grounds, and you're not far off."

Deceit did his best to appear content. "Perhaps you have to concede and step down from your throne. I refuse to follow your lead; deception is one thing but pure evil is another."

"So you will never return to the Dark Side?"

"Never, I refuse to hurt anyone ever again."

The spirit chuckled. "Ha! You can't possibly refuse me! I am a part of you."

"Get lost, I am uninterested in whatever you want from me."

"Sure, then I'll simply let you rot in a cell and kneel before your captives. You love the chains of oppression, don't you Deceit?"

Janus swallowed the lump his throat. He hated being a prisoner, to be at the mercy of another. He needed power.

"This isn't oppression, this is justice." He quantified in response.

The shadow bent to his side, slowly stroking his cheek. "I can see your fear, Janus. You don't need to act brave in front of me, I'm just like you. Why don't you join me, we can rule as one, you'll be free and unbound, and I'll be able to claim my rightful heir."

Janus hissed quietly. "No, I don't want this, I want to be a Light Side."

The shadow rolled his eyes, pinching the back of the snake's neck. "I can obtain total control without you, don't think I don't have a dangerous ally at my disposal."

Janus inhaled. "Who?"

"I'm taking advantage of a weakened Logic."
"But I'm the one who weakened him," Janus muttered.

"Well, I'll give you freedom and credit if you join me."

Janus rolled his eyes. "No. Do you worst, I dare you."

"Very well Janus," the shadow simpered. "But remember, I'm everyone's worst enemy, and a dangerous one at that."
Deceit cringed. A man with the power of three dark sides was a serious threat.

"I'll tell Roman about you." Janus claimed.

He felt his own hand muffle his voice, smothering his mouth like a blanket. He did his best to drag his hand away, but it was no use.

"No, you won't. I have just as much power of deception as you, never forget it." The shadow released his hand, letting Janus taking several heavy breaths. "Let the battle of good and evil commence."