Family Affairs

The tension in the Guildhall was palpable, Artemis was staring as his guildmembers coldly. Lately, things had not been going smoothly in Black Rose. With the disappearance of their Guildmaster and several aces. Those that had remained behind were beginning to panic, with no leadership, there was a power struggle. Several fights had already occurred in the guild; members had been sent to the infirmary. Things were not going well in the slightest. Artemis was sat at the bar, drinking a glass of Amaretto mixed with a Cola flavoured cordial. His red eyes were watching the scene unfold. This was an issue that needed to be handled if his family got wind of the guilds troubles. No doubt there would be hell to pay. He would never hear the end of it from his Grandfather, and his parents wouldn't be much better.

"Perhaps we should form a plan of action," He said, speaking up over the crowd. Some of his guildmates looked at him in disgust, "Pipe down rich boy, unless you're willing to through some of that family cash this way. We don't want your opinion." Artemis bit the inside of his cheek, the temptation to sock his guildmate in the mouth was unbelievably strong. A girl to his right spoke up, "Why is he even here, he never contributed to the guild," She snapped, talking as though he wasn't there. He rolled his eyes, "I certainly gave you a contribute at the last guild party," He retorted, knowing full well Mel was just bitter because she had slept with him and been unable to convince him to go on a date with her.

"Enough," One of the older members barked, calling attention to the room, "The boy is right, we do need to form a plan of action so we can move forward. Our guild funds have all but depleted, so our first goal is the restore our finances, we will also need to be cautious. In our weakened state, we will likely become a target for the Magic Council. If they find out some of our plans, they could hunt us down and wipe us out. We need to rise up, so we can continue our plan to rid of them completely." Artemis's eyes narrowed, the old member clearly hadn't been careful about what he was saying. Because as far as Artemis was aware he had never known such plans.

"Get rid of the Magic Council, are you insane? That was Black Roses purpose." The first guy to retort rolled his eyes, "Nice going, Garth. You realise not everyone knew about the guild's true intentions; certain members couldn't be completely trusted based on their...roots." Art put down his glass. His family had done several questionable things in the past, but they had never been foolish enough to entice the anger or even the attention of the Magic Council, the worked with them. To keep them in the dark of certain things, playing under their noses was much more tactical than openly working to destroy them.

"You do realise the force of the Magic Council could destroy several cities, their armies, their weapons, and way more than this pathetic shell of a guild could ever hope to face." Garth stepped over to Artemis, looming threateningly close. "The Magic Council, are nothing more than parasites, and if you want to carry on existing as a member of Black Rose, you'll join our cause." Art held his glare, his nerve unwavering. "I'll have no part in it." He growled. Garth flexed his shoulders slightly. "You don't want to exist as a member of Black Rose. Then you wont exist at all." His arm shot out towards Art, Art was more than prepared, ducking to the left. He threw a counter hard into Garth's stomach. The force of the blow sending him flying back several metres. Mel threw her palms up and blasted him with a spear made of water magic.  Art threw up his left palm, releasing a pulse of demonic energy that threw the spear, of course, slamming into Mel and knocking her off her feet. He then scanned the room casually, watching as the entire guild was glaring at him, preparing spells and weapons to use against him.

"Wow, there's gotta be about forty of you guys and just one of me. Seems a little overkill but, what the hell, let's dance." He said with a smirk. Morte you down for this fight. He said in his mind, addressing the demon directly. He heard a smooth chuckle, sensing the demons anticipating and excitement.

More than anything, boy, let us educate these fools on the true meaning of pain.

Art grinned, for once, he and the demon were on the same page.

Art immediately felt himself amped up, there were only two places he ever truly at home; in the arms of a beautiful, naked woman and in the midst of a fight. It wasn't going to be easy, even he wasn't so arrogant as to believe he could take on forty mages by himself. But fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it, he was never alone. He hadn't been alone for a long time. As long as he and Morte could work together on this, they may just be able to make it out alive. Although Art had a feeling if he let Morte take full control of him, it most likely wouldn't even be a challenge.

You assume correctly.

The demon said with a chuckle, Artemis didn't really want to end this in a bloodbath. He would prefer for no one to die, but these mages were set to kill. Artemis didn't know if trying to maintain his moral standing was wise in this scenario. Was he really ready to kill someone? Artemis clocked as the next mage ran to attack him, going for close combat. Art smirked, bracing himself to throw down.  This guy was burly too; Art was preparing himself to tackle him around the stomach. Hopefully, he could use his weight against him to throw him down then blast him with some magic. However just as the moment almost came that the two would collide. But Art froze, there was the faintest whistle through the air, almost too quiet to hear. If it weren't for his demonic hearing, he definitely would have missed it. With it, came a sense of danger, and there was the sound of pierced flesh. Blood sprayed everywhere from the forehead of the man who was charging him. Art's eyes widened in horror, Morte was that you? He thought in a panic as the guy slumped down dead.

I wish, it seems someone is on your side, perhaps you should duck.

"What?" Artemis said in a moment of confusion, and suddenly he felt Morte take over slightly, forcing him into a crouch position. Hands over his head. His skin began to change, turning black and hardening as Morte forced him into a takeover. It didn't take long for Artemis to realise why suddenly the room was filled with explosions. "What the fuck!?" Artemis shouted over the explosions, Morte still forcing him to cover his body as the room was filled with flames and screams. After a moment, Morte eased his control, and Artemis was able to peek up. He eyed the new laid out massacre before him. A serious chunk of the individuals in that room was now lying died, their bodies, or at least the remaining parts of them strewn across the desecrated guild hall. Artemis stood, "Morte did you do this?" He said out loud, no longer caring that it would appear he was talking to himself. As Art looked around, he would be in a state of a partial takeover. Any exposed skill would be black as coal, slight gaps in the flesh that would glow red, smouldering with dark smoke. His eyes, hair and stature being the only part that still resembled the image of Artemis Dagger.

I did not, I presume this will be explained soon enough. Perhaps, for now, we should focus on the remaining enemies, who now have even greater bloodlust for you?

This drew Art's attention back to the few still in the room, Morte was right, he could feel their new found hatred radiating off him. If they were thinking about killing him before, now there was no question, if he didn't fight he was as good as dead. Artemis gulped, he could feel his heart racing, his panic setting in. He watched as someone else charged Artemis, only to be shot down dead by an invisible force. It wasn't as if Artemis hadn't seen death before; his father had exposed him to the remains on a battleground a few times as a child. An attempt to harden him for his future. But still, watching people murdered in front of him in such mass, he didn't know how to process this.

You're hesitating Artemis, let me take control. It will be easier...

Art shook his head, Morte, you know that can't happen, you go too far... He said, although part of him didn't want to deal with this. He winced watching as another mage was shot dead for attempted to charge him.

Artemis, don't be foolish. Regardless of what you like to believe, these are the consequences of your actions. These deaths are on you, let me end this quickly. Or would you prefer to prolong their suffering... Artemis knew Morte was just playing him, the demon loved suffering. He was sure he was relishing this moment, but more than that he wanted control, freedom to fight as he pleased. Art could feel his will slipping, Morte was slowly taking over, coaxing him into it.

"Okay, just not completely. I want to watch what's happening." He said, giving into the demon. Normally he would have resisted, but after everything was happening, he was feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, confused. Morte's magic pouring through him, filled him with a sense of how the demon felt, calm and controlled. Art's eyes changed, the whites around his red irises turning black, his teeth extended into sharp fangs. His body grew taller and thinner, somewhat gangly while his fingers extended into long sharp talon like claws. Morte extended Artemis long thin arm, a malicious grin on his demonic face. From his palm black flames shot out across the room, wrapping themselves around three of the closest targets. The demon tilted his head at the sight of their bodies lit up with the flames of hell, relishing their pain. The demon moved forward to where a group was huddled away from the flames, staring at his new form in horror. He tutted at them,

"Oh come now, I thought you said I wasn't permitted to exist, not much of an attempt now. Please do your worst," He said, curling his elongated talon at them in a beckoning motion. After a moment's hesitation, two more mages ran forward, only to be shot dead. Morte watched, unsurprised.

"Curious." He said with a chuckle. Morte raised his palm once more, throwing more black flames at the remaining group. After a few moments, Morte sense a figure appears next to him, arriving in a blink of an eye. Morte glanced over to him, his demonic eyes raking over the brown-haired man. The man addressed him as Mr Dagger, clearly addressing Artemis over the demon, explaining that his father hired him. My father sent him...? Artemis said in Morte's mind. Morte grinned at the hired body, his endless rose of teeth glimmering with the reflection of the flames around them.

"I see, you have excellent handiwork." The demon said, his voice was deep, hoarse, completely different to Artemis's real voice. Morte watched with satisfaction as the one named Mietitrice, killed another mage with skill and precision. Mietitrice suggested that he lead the way, curious Morte nodded. Can we trust this guy? Artemis asked in his mind. Morte chuckled,

I guess we shall find out soon enough.

As Artemis watched through Morte's eyes, he found the guy's reaction surprising as he looked upon Artemis in his beast demonic form. He did not look on with fear or disgust, but rather with curious intrigue, unfazed by his appearance as so many usually were. Heck, even his guildmates were looking at him like he was a monster, but this guy, it just wasn't there. His eyes didn't hold any judgement; he was just observing. It made Artemis wonder what kind of character the man was, to look at such a beast and not respond. He had been this way before with such a response. Verus and Amora had been unaffected, although Verus had threatened him and attempted to lay down rules. Like a beast that needed taming, he had judged him. Amora hadn't been so bad, but she was brought up in the wild and was slightly feral in nature. To her, any beast was just another thing she could fight. It hadn't exactly made him feel accepted.

Morte followed Mietitrice, intrigued as he led them down a path, clearly trying to move away from the path. If the guy hadn't been so apparently determined to preserve his life, Artemis would have thrown a few questions his way. Like how he knew his father and for what reason did his father send him after Artemis. Did Lucarius somehow predict that this might happen? That there was the possibility that the guild might eventually turn against Artemis. It was a little frustration to be left in the dark; his father was a calculating man, intensely good at strategy predicting the outcome of events. Was Art that easy to deduce? That he would eventually enrage his guildmates into attacking him. He was sure that hadn't been the case when he belonged to Silver Wolf, so what had changed. What did his father know? Did he somehow know about Black Rose and their goal to take on the Magic Council? If so why not come to Artemis and pull him directly, rather than leave him in the lion's den, utterly unaware of the danger around him.

Or was he solely relying on this 'Meitritrice' to ensure his son's safety, It seemed a little lacking. Why not use 'them'? Instead of just a single mage? Was he just that good? Or maybe he was a maybe of that group? Artemis couldn't tell, never having actually interacted with many of them himself. He had seen one once, dressed in a creepy looking armour, face covered and the air of death radiating off them. The demon chuckled under his breath, fully aware of the barrage of questions that were rattling about in his host's mind. Morte, I don't see how this is amusing, there is clearly something key I am missing here. He told the demon. The demon shook his head. I wouldn't be so concerned with this one? If he wanted to kill you or do you harm, he would've done so by now. From his behaviour, he's adhering to orders, orders from your father. Most likely accompanied with a hefty payment, what is it you humans scrabble for so much? Jewels? Yes, I should imagine that there are plenty of those hanging over his motives. Do not worry. There is a great deal a human will do when a bounty is involved. Just observe him for a moment, you'll see.

Art focused on Meitritice, at that moment he watched as another assailant came for them, received a sharp knee to the groin followed by a bullet through their skull. Ruthless, efficient, and a little cold. To be able to kill someone so easily, Art just wasn't sure about it. But one thing was certain, Morte was right, if he wanted to take on Artemis, he would have done it by now. The guy didn't have any intentions of turning against him, and he was just doing his job, a job given to him by Artemis's father.


"Don't let them leave here alive, the Dagger boy, he knows too much!" He heard someone yell from behind. He glanced around, seeing several of the remaining guild members still in hot pursuit. You would think, after seeing so many of their guildmates murdered, they would give up. Blind loyalty, would only lead them straight into death. As much as Artemis didn't want to stomach the thought, he knew he would have to. Morte's jawline would begin to stretch, the parting of his mouth growing wider, almost as though his jaw was being split in two. From his gums, his teeth would expand, growing longer and thicker. "Cover your ears."  He instructed Meitritrice, before turning to force the oncoming attackers. He took a breathe, before suddenly letting out a beastly roar. The deafening sound would shake the Guildhall, stunning all those chasing them and spraying them with a wave of demonic energy. As there stopped in their track, knocked back by the effect of the spell, Morte would wave a hand over them. Coating each of them with the flames of hell, which would burn them to a crisp. Artemis didn't want to watch, but he had agreed to Morte taking over if he could stay awake. So this meant everything Morte saw. He could also see, meaning he had no choice but the watch the agonised screams of those he used to call guildmates as they were burned to death by the demon's fire. Morte albeit enjoying the sight would offer Artemis relief by turning and continuing after Meitritrice.

How can you enjoy that?  Artemis asked, even though he knew the answer. Morte's feasted on suffering, even know he could feel it. The pain they felt, mixed with their fear was like a sweet nectar to him, and it was fueling him. He could feel himself growing stronger from it. It was a bittersweet reminder of how much Artemis had changed, because as much as he didn't want to enjoy this. He could feel Morte's relishing it in, their shared sensations making it all the more difficult to ignore.

Artemis and Morte followed Meitritrice on through the Guildhall, moving through the halls quickly, the place was falling about around them. It's foundation and structure severely weakened by all the explosives and black fire. It was surreal, to see the Inn he had spent so many of his recent days in falling apart; the happy, at-ease image that he had of the place torn apart entirely. Tainted by the moments that were passing by so quickly, another place he could no longer call home. He heard Meitritrice talking, bringing him back into the moment. He listened as he told they would need to either get rid of the Black Rose members or clear the rubble. It didn't seem like the Black Rose members were going to give up anytime soon.  "So I guess we should end this quickly then." Morte replied silkily, chuckling, we would wait as the assassin got to work. Morte would cast his hand through the air, creating a cloud above the group. It spread quickly, covering the entire ceiling of the guild. From it rain would begin to pour, only it wasn't just rain, it was acid. Burning into the flesh of the remaining guild members, to Morte and Meitritrice, the rain would not fall, vanishing before touching them. The magic would not harm anyone he considered an ally. The fight did not last long, screams of agony soon fizzled out into nothing. Meitritrice would soon address Artemis once again. Explaining in more detail the purpose of why his father had hired him. So they had suspected something like this would happen, even going so far as to send a guard to protect him. His family had once again, been one step ahead of him.

As he turned to face the two remaining mages, Meitritrice would make quick work on the woman. Morte would approach the man, his mouth spreading to reveal row after row of fangs. The man brought up his fist; he was a big guy, made of muscles. Artemis recognised him; he had always wanted to spar with the man, who knew it would end up like this. "We should have never taken you on, Dagger, you've shown your true face tonight. Just a mindful monster." Morte chuckled, the man lunged his fist connected with Morte's jaw. His knuckles cracked under the impact of punching the demons hard skin. Morte would laugh slowly, his arms shooting out. He would grab the mage by the throat, lifting him up off the ground.  Artemis, you understand, there is no other option don't you? Inside, Artemis wanted to look away, the close his eyes, but he couldn't. He had given Morte control, so he had no choice, but to watch. He knew what Morte intended, and even if he refused him, the demon would do it anyway. For his own self-preservation, because he needed Artemis alive.

I understand.

The demon's grip would tighten around the man, so hard that the bones of his trachea would crumble under its force — the man struggling in his grasp, squirming in agony. Then with a quick twist, a loud snap. The man would fall limp in Morte's grip. The demon would drop the man, allowing him to fall to the floor. And with that, the entire remaining members of Black Rose were dead. As a result, Morte would shift some control back to Artemis, his face returning to normal, and he skin retaining its usual colour. Following a final blast, the back wall was blown off. Revealing their exit, Artemis would release his flames over the Guildhall. Coating everything from the walls, to the bodies. He glanced over at Meitritrice, his expression hard, of a man who had seen enough bloodshed for one night. "Let's go, there's nothing left for me here." He said to the guard, his voice sounding much more like his own now. He would walk out of there, leaving the burning remains of his guild and guildmates behind. By daybreak, nothing would be left but ashes.

END