Dog Days of Dread Pt 1

The nighttime city, how beautiful. Like a lotus in bloom, the capital city was exceptionally bright. However, my trip around the city, tainted by the man beside me. Virgil Omnstead. As a being of pure annoyance, he continued talking as he drug me along. Watching as buildings, shops, and sparsely placed amber light fixtures.

“Hey hey! There are people back there they need to be warned”

“So what we lose a few of our ‘less fortunate class’ who’s gonna notice….hell i bet the king would turn a blind eye”

“Heh Wouldn’t expect any less from a low life like you!” I drug my feet into the dirt. I stopped, turned around, and faced him. I ripped my arm away and glared at him.

“I’m not your’s anymore Virgil!”

“To you that-”

“NO NO ITS NOT!!!!”

“So you wanna be a brat and runaway all because you didn’t inherit hellfire”
“SHUT UP!”

“You snot-nosed brat always shoving the things I give you in my face!”

“News flash Virgil ok…..gifts aren’t something that’s forced….their freely given and quite frankly-”

“No...we’re done! Go ahead leave me like you did before its fine….go warn the paupers see if I give a shit”

“Maybe I will”

“I gave you a chance at greatness boy! Don’t you remember the day ol Kuma died what I said to you that day”

“You gave me-”

“I Gave you an offer to be free! Be sold off to the Thoth Institue of Magical Science...and you’d never have to worry about money again”

“Virgil!.... We’re done with this conversation”

“SO BE IT!” Virgil thundered throwing his cane to the ground and storming off. All the while passing a glare over his shoulder. Turning around I too stomped off in a fuming huff. That old fool!

Knocking on a random door I tried to figure out a story to weave. A tale grand enough to get them to leave. On the other side of the door was none other than Belthazar. He held the door open with a seductive koi in his eyes.

“Oh, Flaemis how goes it?...finish your report?”

A million different thoughts bubbled in my head….thoughts I couldn’t control. Rage, bloodthirst, and overwhelming agonizing malice burned in my soul like an ethereal bonfire.

“Unfortunately I haven’t….you ever figure out what happened to Hanagaki?”

“No...no I haven’t but don’t fret Estarossa and I are on the case searching night and day for him….trust me nobody wants him home more than me”

“Oh you lying sack of shit,” I said gritting my teeth.

“I’m sorry I didn’t catch that”

“You weren’t supposed to” I scoffed and slammed the door. Turning around there he was. Belthazar’s lapdog. He balled a fist and slammed it into my chest. Grabbing my head he delivered a second punch. Then a third across my face. Like a used toy he threw me to the ground and went on his way. Standing back to my feet, I smirked.

“What can’t put down one lowly stray dog?”

I raised a cigarette and lit it. A smile beamed on my mouth. Estarossa snorted and scruffing me by my collar he threw me into the street.

“C’mon kid let’s have a brawl you n me”

“Look….I have more important matters to attend to”

“Oh no this is an issue of Pride now!”

“Pride like you have any! You work for Belthazar”

“A man knows when there’s good money involved. Hell, I’d wager to guess that’s why you chose to work at that damned academy!”

“Don’t infer shit about me!”

“What? am I right or am I, wrong sunny boy?….its a simple answer”

“You know nothing about me goodbye” I shook my head and carried on my way. Trudging forward with a duty to uphold. Estarossa chuckled to himself lowly….like a gambler lettin his true colors slip for just a second. He held his arms to sky and suddenly his chuckling ceased. There was nothing more than ominous silence.

“You think you can just walk away from me?!”

“Yes I do and I am!” I said lifting my hand and extending a rude gesture his way. I shoved my hands in my pockets as smoke from my blazing cigarette drifted in the air like lazy mid day clouds.

“I’m right ain’t I? That’s why you’re walking away!” Estarossa mocked. “No wonder Kuma killed himself he couldn’t stand to raise a failure like you!” Estarossa’s words hit me. Harder than a punch. Gripping my chest I stopped in my tracks.

“T-Take it back” dropping my cigarette I stepped on it. Making an about face or at lease ¾’s of one I stopped observing Estarossa in my peripherals.

“What’s a matter boyo? You gonna cry now? Have I wounded your pride?”

“My pride? Wounded? Being put in charge of a school all to be monitored….now that’s a prideful wound! But what you just did….” shadows flared around me, dancing and writhing as my anger grew. “Wounded my heart!”

“Oh so now we’re gonna have a brawl?”

“No! I’m gonna beat the shit out of you and you’re gonna listen to me whine!”

The gargantuan man smiled. His shark-like teeth shining in the golden light of the Nightime City. His hair stood on end whipping around here and there wildly as if he had no control over it what so ever.

“Is that so?” opening his palms and showing them to me. It became abundantly clear that I was no match for him. Bolts of Green lightning sparked off his hands followed by more of his sickening laughter. TORMENTIUS: 15% CHARGE: BLUNDERBUSS!!

Within the span of a blink. Like time froze and was resumed he was in front of me. Throwing his back forward with his palm. The next thing I remember was a clap of thunder and being thrown to the otherside of the street.

“That should teach you! You smart mouthed piece of shit!”

Standing up I smirked blood staning my smile and my glasses shattered. The shards finding themselves in my cheeks and chin. I staggered yet soon enough I found solid footing. Estarossa fumbled with his words as shock set in.

“If you’re mad at me….fine go ahead” I lit a cigarette and watched Estarossa’s face. “If you wanna hurt me go ahead….but here’s the thing Estarossa!” I gripped his shoulder. Digging my fingers into his raggedy patchwork coat. “But….nitwits like you don’t deserve to have my father’s name in your mouth!” I lifted my gaze and met his. “I’m not gonna destroy this city…..there’s something with those exact plans” I shoved Estarossa away and watched his face contort in confusion.

“The hell do you mean by something?”

“You’ll soon learn” reaching to my ears I grabbed the frames of my glasses and tossed them aside. “Now if you excuse me I have citizens to evacuate”

“Evac? Oh come on? Its probably just a dragon in heat in search of a lover”

“Not this time” I walked away down the cobblestone street. My shoes leaving unsuspecting puddles rippling. Every house was knocked upon. Every time I told them the same story.

“The Wisteria Capital is invading and we need to get everyone out”

Somehow it got people riled up. Well, not in the fearful sense more of in a….I have to protect my kin from the invading monsters. A nationalistic sentiment I would have happily gotten behind if people like Belthazar weren’t my countrymen. Meeting me at the outskirts of the city Virgil and I stopped and watched all the families packed up with animals and children alike. And happily moved their lives somewhere else all so we can turn their homes into a battlefield.

“Virgil….did you?”

“What?.....no! No no! I didn’t put that thought in his head….he missed Beatrice and lo I couldn’t stop him” Virgil turned to me and grabbed my face unexpectedly. “Golly you have your momma’s eyes….”

“Fere ought tors!” I spoke as coherently as smushed cheeks would allow.

“What was that?” Virgil cupped an ear before realizing his misstep. “Ah...cheeks” he released my face and waited for me to repeat myself which unfortunately for him I wasn’t about to do. “Do you remember much of Beatri- er your mother?”

“I remember she was always happy, she had this glowing golden radiant smile and was always gentle”

“Good….good I’m not gonna ruin that pleasant picture you’ve painted” Virgil spoke rummaging through his pocket and pulling out his pipe.

“What do you mean? Pleasant?”

“I refuse to say more….let me give you at least one gift”

“Finally coming around pops?”

“To what? You kids and your new fangled wands?”

“Nevermind….Virgil since dad isn’t here to hear this….”

“What? If it’s what I think it is….the answer is no”

“That’s not what I’m saying and you just ruined the moment”

“Aw c’mon Flammy….I’m just Joshing ya! Live a little will ya?”

“Live? I’ve been barely surviving and you wanna talk about living and now all of a sudden! I’m living the best I can! I have a house a job a husband who loves me and power beyond even you and that shitty Idol ya’ll worship”

“Husband?....is that what you wanted to tell Kuma?”

“I felt he would’ve wanted to know Virgil”

“I raised you and I didn’t even know this”
“You didn’t raise me….you merely tolerated my existence….told me and Dante to get along….he hated me ya know that right?”

“Good then one of my children actually turned out ok”

“I’m not your child!”

“I raised you!”

“You didn’t raise a hair on my head!”

“I...I”

“Don’t like the truth?.....or are you suddenly unable to swallow your own bitter medicine?”

“Look….I’m an old man….I’m not long for this world and I wanted was to make sure you were safe…..I’m a businessman but I’m also a father” He gently held with his hand. All the while he gave me a gentle smile. “I made a promise to Kuma to keep you safe….and I’m kinda glad we never got close….people always burn up around me ya know?”

He stopped talking and for once he was silent. Sucking on his pipe before blowing a lazy low hanging cloud into the air. He tapped my shoulder and motioned back the way we came.

But everything I once knew was thrown out the window. The destined day had arrived sooner than anyone would’ve liked to admit. The ground trembled and shook. The air was eviscerated by a flap of a pair of unfathomable wings. Looking up into the night sky...I saw it.

And It saw me.