Notte del Tradimento: Prelude

-Trigger Warning-

The week after Caterpillar's birthday was uneventful to say the least. Not at least, when the last Cinder Child turned 10, and the Rite can finally begin.

Padrino sat at the head of the table, and the other members of the Family also took their seats. The Bloodwings, the Gilded Maws, the Emberwatch, and even the infamous Sun Eaters. Moth stood beside Padrino, being his current ward, Moth had every right to be in that meeting.

"This is very heartening, seeing all my children in one place." Padrino began, hands clasped together as the others sat in tense silence. "With the Rite of Purification on the way, I trust all of you will be in your designated places?"

"The Bloodwings have the Antares Region under control, dear 'Godfather'." White Witch spoke in grace.

"The Sands are under our every watch. Thus, the Mehemet Region is also under control." Antlion added that his face was scarred, but he spoke with confidence to back up the claim.

"The Neighboring cities and towns are manageable, even though we are stretched a bit thin. The Emberwatch has dispatched agents that will aid in the Rite," Aphid said, even though her voice was filled with exhaustion; she was resolute in delivering her piece.

The Leader of the Sun Eaters, Paradoxa, just nods while drinking his tea. That was just how the Sun Eaters operate. They come when they are needed.

"Va bene." Padrino gave a small smile. "Figlio mio, per favore parla."

"Si padrino." Moth nods as he addresses his gathered older siblings. "The number of Cinder Children who will take the rite is approximately 35 individual children of age 10. Currently, a few have manifested. Namely, Nymph, who has now taken up the codename 'Cicada'. Due to his Sonokinetic abilities. And some are exhibiting changes already."

"Interesting. Yes, I can vouch for that report. My migraine still hasn't cleared since that little rapscallion of a nymph awakened his ability." White Witch chuckled with a mixed expression.

"And that one girl's ability to weave threads. Some of the kids there are gifted in non-combat. Seems like we are in the era of peace now." Aphid chuckles.

"Wishful thinking aside... seems like the other cartels aren't as silent as they're supposed to be, I hope you and Bell are taking care of it, fratellino?" Antlion gave Moth a look.

Moth shifted a bit; he was doing his part, but the regions Bell was dispatched to were as silent as a disconnected radio. Then Moth sharpened his gaze.

"I have been doing my work, anziano. When I have time, I will confirm Bell's -"

But Moth was cut off by Padrino's raised hand.

"Ora non c'è bisogno di essere cauti gli uni con gli altri, miei cari figli e figlie..." Padrino mused. "Antlion, please do not bully your little brother."

Antlion stiffened and bowed his head. "My apologies... Padrino."

"Now... I must reiterate, dear children. The Rite must continue. And you must treat everyone as family. Because it is all we have in this mondo rotto." Padrino rose from his seat and raised his goblet.

"For the unity of the Garden! Gloria al fuoco nel nostro sangue!" Padrino toasted as his children repeated the toast.

The older children have left, leaving Moth, Padrino, and Paradoxa. Moth stared at his older brother, and Paradoxa just stared back.

"Something on your mind?" Padrino asked.

"It's Bell." Moth and Paradoxa spoke at the same time.

"Both my promising children come to the same conclusion? This news must not bode well..." Padrino mused.

"Last time we spoke was at Maggie- I mean... Dr Maggot's clinic. After that, I haven't seen or heard of Bell." Moth reported.

"Ahh... che sfortuna," Padrino said in a voice as if he was expecting it.

"The Sun Eaters have looked into it. We have no conclusive evidence, but we have grounds to believe that Bell and a few stragglers are going Rogue, Padrino. We have captured some of the voltagabbana. Somehow, they can resist Gossamer's ability." Paradoxa shifted, his blades glinting from his back.

Padrino was silent for a whole minute, then his eyes were cold as steel.

"Have the Sun Eaters return to their current posts. Paradoxa, send word to the H.I.V.E., if what you said is true, then you must go ahead." Padrino spoke with the urgent tone he reserves for Moth, Paradoxa, and even Hawk in some cases.

"Padrino. Is something wrong?" Moth asked, there was tension in his voice, but Padrino shook his head.

"La mia piccola falena... Always concerned for this old soul. But that's why we rely on you. My Moth... Remember your duties. Stick to your stations. Now off you go, I must attend the Rite."

Paradoxa places a brief hand on Moth's shoulder. "Stay safe, fratellino. Maybe someday, I want you to join the Sun Eaters."

Moth nods at that and goes to his post. Dusk was settling heavily on the city. The wind picked up, tossing Moth's ghostly gray hair around, and he was getting worried. Caterpillar was getting his Rite.

-at the Chamber of Purification-

Caterpillar was jittery. Wearing the long white coat felt like he was wearing a tablecloth. He shifted nervously, looking at everyone. He felt tense. Moth wasn't there. Wolf wasn't there. Firefly wasn't there. Even though Dragonfly and Hawk were unreliable in his eyes, they also weren't there.

The doors burst open, and all the ten-year-olds looked back. Bell was all smiles, a little too wide.

"How are you faring, my little brothers and sisters. I hope the Garden has treated you well." Bell spoke, overly cheerful, but the children smiled and relaxed as Bell didn't drone on about the details of the Rite:

Drink a vial; if you forget, you're free. But if you survive and gain your powers, you become a true Cinderchild.

But according to Moth, as Caterpillar could recall. Padrino was supposed to be the one administering the Rite. But Caterpillar pushed the thought aside.

Bell then spoke once more:

"Okay! You have two choices, kids! The left or the right door! This Rite of Purification will be different!" He chimed gleefully as the majority of the kids went to the Right Door. Caterpillar took the left door, and only Bell remained in the hall. Then, he laughed. A venomous, unhinged laugh.

"This is too easy..." He smirked as he snapped his fingers, and hooded figures descended in the Room.

"Let the Feast... Begin!" Bell said as the door burst open with flames. Moth had multiple wounds on him, but his face was twisted with fury.

"You... Have you lost your damn mind?!" He growled as Bell signaled the figures for the right door.

-One hour ago-

Moth felt something off. His position has never been this far away from the House, and the fact that the timing also felt off.

He was on his feet when a cold blade was pressed behind him. And he could hear static on his earpiece.

"Move, or I will cut you here and now." The voice spoke, with the authority of someone who doesn't belong to the Garden.

"Cane sporco," Moth muttered as he sprouted his flaming wings, cutting off the assassin cruelly. He turned and realized he was already surrounded. Then came a holographic SOS from Hawk's ability.

This already become a terrible night. And Moth realized... Their target wasn't him. It was the Rite of Purification.

"Let me through, I won't tell you twice, bastardi..." Moth spoke with a dangerous edge in his voice.

"Or what?" One of the assassins gloated, as if challenging Moth to act rashly.

Instead of replying, Moth did what he does best: Mass Cremation.