A Familiar Heist

The summer had returned to Tolgalen over the previous days, and yet further, weeks, even. Where there had been a certain and omnipresent cold, a chill in the air before, there was now heat, the scorching, tropical summer sun relentlessly burning down on this strip of coastline situated on the continent to Fiore's south. It was only morning, not much later than 9 am, but the heat, for the average citizen living in these conditions, had already reached an unbearable level of intensity. Contrary to one might expect of summer, it was anything but pleasant. To the average person, at least. The natives of this place had long gotten accustomed to Tolgalen's tropical summers, as had those that resided here, namely, the Trading Company. The West Fiore Trading Company, that was, of course, who had, through hard work and nothing short of ingenuity, made this island their own, conducting its operations and business undisturbed by the weather, even if the occasional employee broke more than just a light sweat under these circumstances. Even at an hour this early in the morning the nearby docks were already somewhat crowded. It would only get progressively worse over the course of the day. It was a common occurrence. The roads to and from the warehouses and shops linked to the HQ were already filled with merchants eager to do trade and business with the West Fiore Trading Company, which had held a certain reputation and renown of a category unlike many others, not in small part due to competent leadership.

That said, though, Johann himself had still been in bed, this circumstance itself already presenting an unusual situation. Normally, the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company would awake from his sleep considerably earlier than this, even he would even find sleep at all. His work kept him busy, so much so that he had barely found a free minute over the last few weeks and months, which had been stressful, and even more so, they had been exhausting, the old man having not just dealt with a particular incident on Shadow Island not too long ago, a fact that still weighed heavy on him and had yet to be processed, but also the ever-present whispers and antics of Mars, the creature referring to itself as "Lord of War", whatever that meant. At least that was what this self-proclaimed demon made itself out to be. Johann did not trust the being in the slightest. Much to his dismay, there was not just that. A couple of days had passed since the cage, the seal which had held Mars in place and limited his influence over Johann's mind had been damaged by circumstance, damage of similar kind prompting the awakening of this Lord of War in the first place. Still, at least an attempt was made to force the creature back into its cage and seal it once more by Ruvel, an ultimately futile effort that had failed miserably, leaving the cage damaged further, so much so, in fact, that through the use of his own innate strength, Mars had managed to break it completely and dispel the seal that had held him back. The intricate runic magic circle that had provided a barrier between the two minds that shared a single body had been destroyed, and ever since then, Mars had not stopped bothering the man. His voice would manifest in Johann's mind whenever the creature pleased, his cackles seemed ever-present, as did his comments, which were usually centered on the most mundane of matters, giving the Vice President the distinct impression that Mars brabbled just for the sake of brabbling. It was infuriating and exhausting alike. It had been a while since they'd returned from the Haunted Village, though it would appear that from now on, with the runic seal that had acted as a limiter broken, Johann would not spend a single waking minute without the presence of Mars, who seemed insistent on making exactly this known.

Thus far, fortunately, he hadn't taken over completely as he had done before. Perhaps it wasn't possible at this point in time, or perhaps the self-proclaimed demon hadn't yet tried for one reason or the other, but he was certainly active, as demonstrated by his avid chatter. Mars justified his talkativeness with the fact that he had been sealed away for centuries and would now enjoy the opportunity to actually get a taste of limited freedom once more, which, at least taking his words at a face value, actually seemed fairly reasonable to the Vice President. It wasn't that simple, though. There was no trust between the two, and yet, when compared to his previous self, Mars seemed like he had changed compared to his previous self. It left the VP to wonder, if the creature was indeed demonic in origin, why had he undergone a change that had made him more agreeable, in fact, even somewhat quirky in nature. It didn't sit well with the man, who had been forced to witness just how terrifying and merciless Mars could be on more than one occasion. Now that he had been freed, though, he didn't appear ... evil. Not exactly good, either, but ... the silver-haired man had expected something akin to corrupting whispers of darkness, of despair and destruction. While Mars did seem quite fond of the latter, his attitude could best be described as eccentric as opposed to aggressive or malevolent. He would give himself neither overtly dark nor overtly light, apparently simply looking to have fun and enjoy himself by indulging in his nature, his newfound hedonistic tendencies making Johann admittedly more than just a little suspicious. Could he still be serious when he wanted to be? Was this all an act, or was this his true self, a mischievous and goofy being that sought only entertainment? Perhaps the self-proclaimed Lord of War didn't know, either? It was possible. The being was obviously interested in the world around itself, watching and talking about the things it saw with childlike enthusiasm, which was nothing short of odd. It would most likely take the Vice President a lot of insight, observation, and not a small bit of charisma to find answers to these questions from the being he would share his body with. It would be an entirely different topic for another day, though. This day had been memorable for an entirely separate reason.

---

Word Count: 1,072
Word Count Total:  1,072

In any case, the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company would awake, coming to consciousness in the same old bed, the same old room. Nothing seemed to set itself apart as he opened his eyes. It would be just another day, one more day that he would have to spend with Mars, one more day where he would have work to do as one of the West Fiore Trading Company's Officers. He shot a glance over to the alarm clock on the small wooden bedside table, blinking slowly. He had slept for a good ... 12 hours, drowsy dizziness that slowly began to fade his first impression. This had been the first time in, what, months that he'd gotten extensive time of rest this long. Initially, at least, it felt like it had done him more harm than good. As the sleepiness would fade he could feel the headache rise to the forefront of his mind, the silver-haired man sighing softly as he raised his hand to cover his eyes, hoping the absence of light would soothe the tension, in the same motion realizing that, for a reason that was unknown and, due to a variety of reasons, bizarre to him, his joints seemed to ache. He hadn't dealt with any physical unwellness ever since Mars' first awakening, the creature's magic taking care to preserve its vessel. Had something changed from the way it had been before? Well, there certainly was the thing with Mars' cage. Who knew what consequences that could have on a human being?

The Vice President sat up, leaning against the wall behind his bed, his gaze reflexively rising to the ceiling. The ache in his joints, and, much to his surprise, the headache as well, seemed to dull by the second before fading entirely. Perhaps he'd just slept awkwardly? It was more than possible. The simple interior of his room, mostly adorned by plain wooden furniture and without much decoration at all was lit only by the daylight falling in through a single window. It was hot and stuffy in his barracks, almost unbearably so, Johann realizing that he was practically drenched in a cold sweat. When had it become the middle of summer, he wondered briefly? Had this much time passed already? It left Johann wondering how long he had been with the West Fiore Trading Company already, briefly skimming over the progress he had made thus far. It wasn't quite enough for the man, his goals somewhat hampered by recent events. It had been almost a year, it would seem. Johann sighed. So much had happened. Some good things, some bad things. At least he'd gotten somewhere, this fact alone making him somewhat hopeful, despite the fact that he knew the future would most likely be more straining than before not that this ... thing had been unleashed on him. The man was entirely unaware that things had already changed more than just drastically.

Johann spun around, standing up from his bed and stretching briefly, shooting a tired look out of the window on the other side of the room, walking towards it and opening it with a brief and practiced motion, sheer force of habit making him walk right past the mirror parallel to his bed. If he'd stopped or perhaps paid any attention to his reflection, it would've occurred to him that something was quite the way off from normal. The fresh, yet warm air would flood through the gap he had opened, filling his lungs with a deep breath and his room with a slight breeze. He would turn yet again, heading towards the small bathroom he called his own. It was a little cooler in there, but the heat nonetheless remained prevalent. He turned on the tap, cold water beginning to pool up in the bathroom sink. The man reached forward, collecting a puddle of water in his cupped hands before splashing it in his face. It was refreshing, the cool bringing him to a clearer and decidedly less sleepy state of mind, though this, apparently, also causing a consequence the man should've been aware of before. A familiar voice would ring out, a deep cackle that echoed through the back of his head.

"Good morning, Sunshine. You're finally awake, hm? Tssehehe ..."

The Lord of War's voice carried the hint of an unnaturally happy, almost cheerful tone, his exaggerated enthusiasm instantly turning the Vice President's mood just a little more sour. The demonic creature giggled. According to what he had said previously, Mars was simply happy to enjoy the freedom outside of his cage, though, was that really it? Even when compared to before, there was something the Lord of War's voice carried that unnerved Johann, the silver-haired man's brows pulled closer together in a sense of suspicion. "What do you want, Mars?", the Vice President's dejected voice would ask, turning away from the sink to return to his room. Mars continued to give himself amused in a rather carefree and nonchalant way. "Oh, nothing in particular, really ... tssehe. I just thought that today is another beautiful day, is it not?", the demonic entity's words were followed by another chuckle. Johann took a deep breath, his voice and mood gradually shifting to a clear annoyance. "Just fantastic". Johann decided it would be best to try and not pay too much attention to the demon, something that would undoubtedly prove difficult, given Mars constant chuckles, giggles, the occasional cackle, and the ever-present and seemingly senseless comments and discussions. He had to get ready. Despite the creature's presence, the fact remained that he had work to do.

---

Word Count: 940
Word Count Total: 2,012

The man's usual morning routine would be accompanied by the continued and unrelenting chuckles, giggles, comments, and occasional cackles of Mars, which in and of itself appeared like an oddity, even for the normally so chatty Mars. Normally, he would at least retreat for a dozen seconds at the least and a few minutes at the most, though, at current, his presence seemed constant, and his gaze particularly centered on the Vice President especially. Why Mars did this wasn't evident to the man, but the creature's nigh constant gaze upon him felt strange, and yet, for some bizarre reason, the discomfort he felt was different from the discomfort he had felt before. The demonic presence did not seem as intrusive, as disturbing as before, and indeed, physically, Johann's body seemed more at ease with the writhing and stir of the creature, not to mention its observation of every move the Vice President would make. It was a feeling that was distinctly out of place, yet, in a twist, natural. Of course, the silver-haired man failed to take note of the change that had befallen his physical form, for now, at least, Mars drawing a great deal of amusement from that fact. The demon would even go as far as silently wagering against himself, attempting to figure out how long it would take the mortal being to find out. So seamless, so perfect had the integration been that, outside of minor symptoms, the transfer had been nearly unnoticed. Well, it was within his power and authority, of course, but the Nephilim would give himself a mental pat on the back nonetheless. An acknowledgment of "a job well done", so to speak.

For Johann, though, it wouldn't make much of a difference, at least initially. The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company stepped out of his barrack and into the hallway, closing and locking the door behind him, as usual. Dressed in the same old style of a white suit, the pin of the West Fiore Trading Company clearly visible on his shoulder, where it would always be placed, he would turn, his office being his destination as he, still somewhat sleepy, a circumstance that did not often befall him, walked outside, his hair swerving from side to side as he walked. Had it gotten longer? The Vice President must've been so absorbed in his own work that he had not noticed. He'd need to have it cut. Perhaps Artorias would know how to do that, though Johann imagined that the other might not. Another giggle from Mars would ring out. What was so damn funny? ... Anyway, he'd just have to ask the falcon. He would follow the path towards the Company Headquarters. The goddamned, burning summer sun was even more unbearable out here, giving the pearl-white building that swiftly approached in the distance an even more brightly white and polished look, though also making it somewhat hard to look at for prolonged periods of time. The polished marble almost appeared to shimmer, or perhaps even glow, though that was most likely just an illusion of his mind. Still, it impressed the Vice President. He silently hoped that in the West Fiore Trading Company Headquarters Building and his own office, at least, it would be cooler, Johann raising a hand to shield his eyes from the ruthlessly blinding celestial body hanging low in the sky. He could see a little better, though this didn't stop him from commenting in a somewhat disgruntled fashion under his breath, "What obnoxious weather ...". It would get better once he was inside.

Johann von Weiss opened the set of large mahogany front doors, which would close behind him as soon as he had made his way inside the HQ. The relentless sun, of course, would be removed from the list of his worries in here, the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company taking a deep, relieved breath. The air in here was noticeably cooler, something that would undoubtedly aid with not just his own productivity, but that of every West Fiore Trading Company employee who worked in here. He didn't know if it was simply the thick stone walls that kept the searing summer heat out or if it was done through a variety of magical enchantments, cleverly placed throughout the entire building, but he was willing to bet on the latter. This was, after all, the West Fiore Trading Company. Well, he supposed that climatization was one of the various benefits of working for a multi-billion Jewel corporation. Regardless, he was thankful that he didn't have to sweat in these conditions.

Once inside, he would, as he always did, greet the blonde receptionist, who was, of course, also a member of the guild, passing by the woman on his way towards the beautiful marble stairs and his office on the first floor, visible from here in the entrance hall. "Good Morning, Alisha", he would give the receptionist a polite nod, not necessarily paying enough attention to notice the absence of a response, or the confused look on the woman's face. She, of course, had thought that she had never seen the man who had just wished her a good morning in a manner that felt like she should be familiar with him, though she would brush this off, mistaking him for just another employee of the West Fiore Trading Company. Instead, the man would simply, and as usual, make his way up the stairs, passing by the large relief painting set into the wall on the first floor, and heading straight into his office. The door was unceremoniously opened, it was already unlocked, which meant that Artorias was already present, the slight creak that would ring out whenever he opened this door this time, too, ringing out, the entrance falling shut behind him as he let go, the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company, with relief, noting that the air in here was similarly of bearable temperature when compared to the rest of the Headquarters building. A nice little feature, really.

---

Word Count: 1,013
Word Count Total: 3,025

Light found its way through the large panorama window that took up almost an entire wall of the room, illuminating what would otherwise be a dull and somewhat dim office space and desk with warm rays of sunshine. Neatly organized stacks of paper lined the surfaces, letters, books, and other, more broad manners of paperwork already waiting for the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company in plentiful quantity. Johann was sure that he would never be able to catch up with all the work the Company kept throwing at him at a nigh constant rate, but it was what it was. He had pledged his allegiance to them, so here he was. In truth, the man thought himself entirely capable of handling the workload comfortably and in a manner that was professional, and, in a subtle twist of his own personality, somewhat perfectionist. He didn't really want to give the work to someone else, for this was something he excelled at, even if the silver-haired mage wouldn't consciously admit this fact to himself. Still, he found it within himself to let out a sigh when he saw the undoubtedly fresh stacks on his desk. It was what it was. It would be another long, boring, and routine day.

"Good morning, Sir", a voice would ring out in greeting, Johann's head turning towards the leather couch situated on the other side of the office, half encircling a glass coffee table. On it was a man, though Johann knew better than to see the entity as a human, dark, shoulder-length hair adorning the other, who was dressed in a similar outfit to the Vice President of the Company. The figure was currently in the process of enjoying a steaming hot cup of tea. Artorias, his friend, though the other being saw himself as a self-proclaimed servant, and had claimed that he had been a servant of his family for a number of generations. It was, of course, not an unrealistic statement to make, especially given Artorias' nature as a magical beast. The other was a creature akin to a Peregrine Falcon, though several times larger in sheer physical size, with rather impressive and seemingly innate control over Storm Magic, something that had impressed the silver-haired Vice President many times in the past. Of course, the other could also shift his form and change into a human appearance, an appearance that Johann was looking at right now. Despite that, the Peregrine Knight, a title that stemmed from the masterful use of a blade by Artorias, was anything but a simple mind. He had his quirks, like his obsession with tea, something that Johann had picked up over the time he had spent with the being. There was his strange humor, and, in accordance with his nature as a magical beast, his sometimes elaborate and humorous jokes and, occasionally, pranks. Regardless, Johann had come to appreciate him as a loyal companion, friend, and ally, and the two had aided each other for a while now. A small smirk would spread across Joh's lips, the man reciprocating the greeting. "Good morning, Artorias".

This, though, apparently constituted some kind of cue for Mars, the creature exploding into incessant snickering and giggling that would echo through the back of the silver-haired man's mind once again, the smirk vanishing from his face, feeling his mood sour instantly. The way this thing acted was unbearable. The demon was behaving like an overexcited child, the constant chuckling and laughter getting louder with each time it occurred, with each passing moment until finally, Mars would pause again, the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company, though, at this point, visibly strained and obviously agitated. "Is he ... is it still bothering you, my Lord?", the Knight asked with a frown, referring to Mars, intimately familiar with the problems the creature had caused for his friend, the Vice President, not least due to the fact that he had been present when Mars had taken possession of the silver-haired man's body not too long ago on Shadow Island. It had been a site of utter devastation, the power, though also the unpredictable and volatile nature inherent to the beast that Johann kept in check undeniable facts. Johann gave the Knight a nod, sitting down in his office chair.

Shadow Island had been both personal victory and objective disaster in one, Johann recalling the events of the expedition that had brought him to an organization calling itself "The Blood Seal". With great effort, Johann, along with Yona and Artorias, had engaged them and their forces, slaughtering hundreds of dark mages belonging to this group, the group that, as Johann had found out, had been responsible for the raid on Amber Island, his former home, a few decades prior. It had been a long time, but the trauma remained fresh. Still, the three had not only found out that the organization was responsible, but they had also found that most of them, if not all, were possessed by some form of demon, the strongest one being Berith, their leader. Well, he was their leader. The organization, along with the quarters they had made in an ancient temple carved into a mountain, was gone. Berith was gone. Mars had made sure that not a shred of him remained, though Johann could still see the man's face in his dreams. He mocked the Vice President, talked down to him with his arrogant, fanatic voice, taunted him with the fact that, in the end, it was not Johann who had dealt the final blow, but the creature locked within him that had thus far been the cause of a good deal of torture and suffering, not just for the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company himself, but also those he held close. His mind involuntarily trailed off to the young, green-haired girl, and the fact that she, too, seemed to have been inflicted with a demon. Johann blamed himself. If he hadn't brought her ... that never would've happened. He'd have to talk to her about that, but he had no idea where she was. She probably needed some space. The man couldn't blame her. It would mean that this would have to happen later.

---

Word Count: 1,042
Word Count Total: 4,067

The Vice President tried to force these thoughts out of his head. He had to remain calm, collected. There was work to be done. Still, it seemed that Artorias kept staring at Johann, the silver-haired Rune Mage shooting him a curious look, an eyebrow raised. "I assure you, Artorias, it's fine. I have it under control", the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company tried to give himself reassuring, confident, despite his deep-seated lack thereof. It was now Artorias' turn to raise an eyebrow. "That's not ... what bothers me, my Lord. I mean ...", the Knight appeared a little shifty, uncomfortable, though would raise a hand to point straight at the Vice President. "... is that why you, well, changed?". Johann turned towards the Peregrine Knight, folding his hands on the desk before himself, visibly confused and perplexed. "Pardon? Changed?". Artorias nodded. He had, of course, recognized the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company by the scent of his clothes and the sound of his voice, which, while slightly different, remained much the same as it had been previously. From the Knight's perspective, of course, the man's appearance had changed entirely, while his aura and the aforementioned sensory impressions had been a constant, leading Artorias to assume that some sort of magic was at work here. In a sense, he was right, although the VP was, at this point, of course, wholly unaware of the change to his entire body, and indeed, physical appearance, that had taken place.

"Well, my Lord, you look ... different. I couldn't help but wonder if there was a specific reason for the change in appearance". The Peregrine Knight silently pondered the possibility that the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company had dabbled in some kind of rejuvenation magic to restore his form to that of a younger self, but kept that particular thought to himself. He didn't mean to imply anything, lest he would offend the man who, at least for a human, had probably reached or surpassed something they called "middle-aged". This, though, only served to confuse the silver-haired man more, who promptly followed the Peregrine Knight's comment up with a swift and uncertain "I'm ... not sure if I can follow?". The Vice President placed a pen he had picked up on his desk, centering his full attention on Artorias. The Magical Beast in human form, of course, was just as surprised as his master over the fact that the latter seemed to be unaware of what the Knight was referring to. Artorias reached into one of the pockets of his jacket, swiftly producing a small, square amulet on a chain, a silver charm that contained a small mirror, before handing it over to the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company. Johann took it, letting his eyes wander over the object for a few seconds, attempting to discern what exactly this meant, though eventually turning it over, staring at his own reflection.

His eyes, at first, widened, a small, though inaudible gasp of shock leaving his lips. Then, a weak smirk would lift a corner of his mouth upwards. "Nearly got me with that one. Good joke, Artorias. One of your pranks?", the silver-haired Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company chuckled, turning his head to look at the image of the man Johann did not recognize as himself a little more. Mars cackled upon hearing these words, though he evidently tried to contain himself before bursting out into what equaled a laughing fit. Well, the man certainly didn't look bad, perhaps as much as 20 years younger than he actually was, too, though the dull shadows of fatigue showed under this man's eyes. Perhaps this was a parody? It would certainly be a fairly elaborate kind of magic, at least for a prank, though the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company knew not the lengths to which the Peregrine Falcon would go to for a joke. Artorias, of course, would swiftly deny this. "This is, by no means, a joke, my Lord. I thought that you had caused this ... rejuvenation. Was this not your doing?". The silver-haired man would blink. "I- ... I don't think ...", Johann would tilt his head, once more perplexed, this time over the other's denial. Unceremoniously, he would place the charm on his desk, opening a drawer to produce a different mirror, a handheld one, his face paling upon gazing at his own reflection.

This was the point where the Second Seal broke out into uncontrolled and incessant laughter, his deep, distorted voice echoing through the man's entire consciousness. The laughter wouldn't relent for what at first were a few passing seconds, then a dozen, half a minute, the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company frozen in place, turning slightly even raising a hand to see if his reflection would repeat the motion, which it did, naturally, though still refusing to believe that this was, in fact, him, so outlandish was the notion alone. The unrelenting barrage of cackling echoes would slow, let up just enough for Mars to speak through his display of obvious amusement. "Tssehehe ... So, tell me, Vice President, how do you like it?". The Second Seal's words were the final cue. This was why the demonic creature had been so cheerful today, this was why he had been watching this entire time, laughing, grinning, cackling, chuckling, commenting. This was Mars' doing. He was responsible for this change, a change that had occurred sometime earlier today, or even last night. Johann's voice, not much more than a shocked whisper, would leave his lips once more. "Is this ... is this your doing, Mars?". The creature did not answer, instead only letting its distorted voice sound once more in the form of a cackle, a cackle that engulfed the Vice President's mind almost entirely as the world around him momentarily went dark, blurred, his heart racing in his chest.

---

Word Count: 1,000
Word Count Total: 5,067

The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company took a moment to steady himself, the grip of unconsciousness threatening to overtake him momentarily. "Mars ... did you do this?", the silver-haired man asked once more, his voice, this time, more forceful, aggressive. The demonic creature appeared audibly amused, his reply a playfully drawn-out "Maaaaybe". The man's brows inched closer together ever-so-slightly, annoyance drowning out the previous shock. "What is the meaning of this- ...  of this ..." "Improvement?", the creature finished the Vice President's sentence. Johann, at this point, was feeling anger rise within his chest. "How exactly is this an improvement, Mars?!". He could feel the demon's grip close around his mind, his clutches around his psyche. With every breath, Johann's anger began to burn more, with every cackle of the creature, he felt the burning feeling of hatred in his chest rise, burn brighter. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. Was this also Mars' doing? "Calm down, old man. Try to use it". "Use what?". "Your magic, of course, silly. Tssehehe ...". Johann stopped for a few seconds, silently contemplating, though his brows furrowed further still. Mars' request was suspect, to say the least, though he was curious. Had the creature done something to his magic, too? The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company raised his hand, extending his limb and attempting to let the magic flow through his body ...

Nothing. Johann felt nothing, no mana was moving through his body, no arcane power following his will. His magic was not reacting to him and his body. No wind would burst from his hand, and no energy would manifest. It simply failed to materialize. The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company stared down at his hand, disbelief dominating his expression. He would move his hand to the side, this time with more vigor and force, again, nothing happening, no magic reacting to his will. From left to right. From right to left. Up and down. Nothing. "W- ... what is ... what is going on?". Perplexed, the silver-haired man stared down at his palms, his eyes briefly wandering over the runes on his left hand. An idea began to materialize. He extended his left hand, opening his fist. The runes in his palm lit up in deeply red color, flaring up with magical energy before the extremity was engulfed in flame briefly, the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company closing his hand into a fist once more. Evidently, the runes that stemmed from Mars' inherent magic were still working. His own magic, the wind magic he had wielded, however, wasn't responding. Needless to say, the God of Ishgar was quite confused, speechless, dumbfounded, stunned, and entirely unsure how to react to not only the change that had befallen his physical body, but also apparently his magical core, or by extension, his soul. A chuckle would ring out in the back of his mind once again. Why had the creature brought this to his attention? It was obvious that it was Mars' doing, but why did he show the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company now? To mock him? Belittle him? Humiliate him? Or simply to laugh about the man's misfortune? All of these seemed like plausible scenarios, and Johann, of course, couldn't be sure without asking the other, but he wouldn't sink so low as to barter with this demon. Still, the demon seemed to have other plans.

"Enjoying yourself?". Johann could almost feel the sarcastic, malevolent grin that accompanied the Lord of War's words. "Very funny, Mars. I want you to give it back". The man was getting more and more agitated, obviously annoyed by the demon's actions. He wondered briefly what the exact purpose of this demonstration was. Was it to put the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company down? Show him his place, show him that the demonic creature inside of him had absolute control over his body, his mind, his soul? That, with nothing more than a whim, he could and would control Johann? He had to admit to himself, while the VP was not easily frightened by most things, this was a prospect that was most terrifying, even to the silver-haired man. Mars simply responded with a playful and drawn-out "Hmmmmm?", feigning ignorance. Johann nearly lost his temper, barking back in a snarky tone. "You know exactly what I am talking about. Give me back my own body. Give me back my magic, Mars!". The demon did not respond initially, instead falling silent for a few seconds, prompting a follow-up comment from the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company "Well?!". Only now would Mars actually respond, though the laughter from before had dwindled almost entirely, only a low chuckle ringing out before the creature spoke, curtly, this time. "I can't".

The VP's anger died down momentarily, replaced by shock. "What ...? What do you mean ... you "can't"? Are you serious?". The demonic being remained quiet for a few passing moments before an audible sigh would echo through the Vice President's mind. "I suggest you calm down. I have a few things to tell you, but one thing after the other. Let's-" "Calm down? How dare you?! I will not be told-", the silver-haired man interrupted, though a feeling of nausea would overcome him, accompanied by a writhing stirr within the back of his head, something that overtook all of his senses briefly, his entire being momentarily seizing to function. Mars continued in a calm voice, though it lacked any form of amusement he had displayed earlier. A show of force. "Silence. I am explaining this for your sake, mortal. If you would rather remain in the dark, so be it. Any more complaints?". The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company said nothing. The demonic creature could force him to remain quiet anyway, if it really wanted to, that was. He, no, it had demonstrated that. "Good. As I said, one thing after the other".

---

Word Count: 1,011
Word Count Total: 6,078

"First, let me tell you that I am not showing you this without reason", the Lord of War would continue, Johann remaining quiet. Of course, the silver-haired God of Ishgar thought his part. "The process that your body, that both of our forms have undergone is irreversible. The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company moved as if to open his mouth, but instead simply closed his eyes, his brows inching closer together once more as he took a deep breath. "You're joking, right? What do you mean by irreversible?". The demonic creature was quick to respond. "I mean exactly what I said". The silver-haired man's expression would twist into a visible frown. "That is impossible". Mars quickly retorted. "And yet, here we are. As you can see, it is quite within the realm of possibility. Let me explain ...". Mars seemed to pause briefly before speaking up again. "I didn't have a hand in this transformation. It is a natural process that occurred based on the, well, rather brutal destruction of the Seal that had held me. In a sense, you can blame your little blonde friend for this, tssehehe ...". "Ruvel?", Johann asked swiftly, quietly shaking his head. He refused to believe that his friend would've caused this incident deliberately, which meant that this had to be an accident. If what Mars was saying was, in fact, true in any capacity, that was. "I don't- I don't understand. What do you mean by "natural", and how exactly did this happen?". "Hmm, well, I can tell you, but ...", the Lord of War paused briefly once more, "... there are some secrets I would only reluctantly surrender. You, I think, are entitled to know, but I would prefer it if we were ... alone".

Johann turned his head to Artorias, who had, of course, been in the VP's office the entire time, witnessing half of the argument between Mars and the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company with a stern, but concerned expression, the Peregrine Knight's amber-hued eyes firmly locked on Johann. The silver-haired man closed his eyes, sighing. "I have some things to discuss with Mars, Artorias. And I wish to do so alone". Artorias did not seem to react initially, but would, after a few second of contemplative thought, shake his head. "I cannot allow that, my Lord. What if this vile creature has something planned? What if he takes over your body and does who knows what in your name? That would be unforgivable! I must stay with you so I can protect you". Johann smiled. He appreciated the Knight's care about his well-being, not as his servant, but as his genuine friend, but he also knew that the point the other made didn't stand when faced with Mars' power. "Artorias. If he wanted, he could take over my body right now. He has full control, and it appears like there is nothing I can do. You have seen the destruction with your own eyes. There is little we could do to stop him". The Peregrine Knight scoffed, unhappy with the other's words, though knowing them to be true. "I will take some time to speak to him. I don't know how long I will be gone for, but it is my wish that you handle my position in the meantime until I return". Artorias looked up, seemingly wanting to express his disagreement. "My Lord, I-", he began, though was quickly stopped by the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company. "Artorias. Please".

The Peregrine Knight appeared reluctant, but Artorias knew that Johann had a point. There was little he could do to aid the silver-haired man, and that fact frustrated him, the Magical Beast averting his gaze briefly before raising his eyes back to those of the VP, a sour expression on his face as he gave the other a nod. He didn't like the fact he would have to stay back for who knew how long without being able to assist the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company, but neither was the silver-haired God of Ishgar himself. It wasn't like he had much of a choice in this matter, though. At least so it seemed. Still, the man appreciated the Knight's support in his endeavour, greatly so, in fact. A weak smile would find its way onto his expression. "Thank you, Artorias".



The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company stopped in a clearing, miles and miles away from the Headquarters of the Company. He had left his office, and his duties, including the paperwork, in Artorias' hands, and tasked him with informing Alisha. He knew that his position was in good hands, though that, at current, was the least of his worries. Keeping his calm in the first place had been a feat, but putting up with Mars for this long had been agonizing. Johann wanted answers, but the demonic creature insisted on guaranteed solitude. He had, in contrast to his previous behavior, been relatively quiet for the entire trip the man in the white suit had undertaken on foot, apart from the occasional back and forth between the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company and the Lord of War. Now, however, Mars's voice would ring out as a distorted echo in the man's head once again, this time in the form of a curt command. "Stop". The creature paused briefly. "We've gone far enough. I think it's time I give you some answers, my little vessel, don't you think? Tssehehehe ...".

---

Word Count: 938
Word Count Total: 7,016

"You do", the Vice President replied in a similarly curtly manner. "Mars, what did you do to my body? Why did you change it, how did you change it? Explain everything to me". The demon's giggle would return. "Tssehehe ... that's quite the mouthful, no? Very well, I will do my best to answer. As I said-", the creature would pause briefly before continuing, "-I didn't do this to you. It is the natural consequence of the cage's destruction. I had no hand in this". The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company didn't respond or react, waiting for the creature to continue. This much he knew, Mars had already said this before, after all, but he just couldn't bring himself to believe the creature. He did not know what the other's goals were, to what lengths he would go, what he was capable of. For all the silver-haired man knew, all of this could be lies, though listen he would nonetheless. It didn't hurt to hear Mars' side of the story. "I cannot tell you for certain, this is unprecedented, but I believe we, you and I, have, hm, well, how do I put this ...?". "Tell me the truth". "Very well, as you wish, tssehe ...". Mars would pause once more, only to pick up after a short, passing moment. "You understand that I have been sealed inside you, hm?". Johann nodded. "Good. I believe that we have merged. Souls are naturally drawn to each other. While the seal previously held me, separated us from one another, its destruction has, hm, released me. With two souls inhabiting the same body, it was only a matter of time. I think that our souls have, well, combined, as have our physical forms, although mine was only conceptual. That's probably why you're still ... hm, still human, tssehehe".

Johann raised both eyebrows. "You think that this is the case? I thought that you would know for certain, demon". The last word of the Vice President's sentence seemed to cause a small reacting from the creature, although the onset of a snarl swiftly transitioned into a cackle. "I am old, not omniscient, mortal", Mars retorted in a similar tone. "This process that you and I have undergone ... it is a natural consequence that stems from the inherent properties of the soul, but I suppose you wouldn't understand. As I said, this is, hm, unprecedented, especially for, well, my kind". "You're right, I don't understand. This ... these things you are telling me, Mars, they make very little sense. All I know for sure, all I understand is that I lost my body. My own body, and you're telling me that I can't get it back. Do you understand how I feel?". "I must admit that I haven't given that too much thought, my little vessel. The way I see it makes me question why you would resent this change. Your body ... it is, hm, more efficient than ever, youthful, agile, resilient, and not to mention, strong, oh so incredibly strong. You merged with a Nephilim, after all. Tssehehe".

The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company briefly closed his eyes. The things that Mars was saying to him all added up to a bigger picture that Johann barely understood. He could accept those theories of the other, who, in a new display of mystery, suddenly referred to himself as a "Nephilim", something the silver-haired man had never heard before, but who was to say that what the creature was suggesting was, in fact, reality. "So ... what does this mean? We're ... we're the same person now? The same, uh, soul, the same body?". Mars did not respond immediately. He seemed lost in thought for a few seconds, a deep "Hmmmmm" echoing through Johann's mind, as if the creature seemed to search for a way to formulate a cohesive answer before finally speaking up once more. "You're correct about the body. It is mine, just as much as it is yours. Consider us, or rather, our soul, mice, and this body, this vessel, a teapot. We're both locked in the teapot, and we share this teapot, both confined to it with no way to ever get out, tssehehe". Mars giggled, thoroughly amused by his example. "What kind of explanation is that?", the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company asked, somewhat irritated that the creature wouldn't offer him a straight explanation. "Oh, I just thought that you were fond of tea. Is this not to your liking? I can craft up another example if you want?". "No thanks". "As you wish, tssehehe".

Now that Johann thought about it, Mars was appearing quite ... approachable. Moreso than he had ever been. Not only that, but he also seemed to be, well, rather amused by all of this, his constant and incessant joking around and entertained laughter ringing through the man's mind by the minute. Had this transformation changed him as well? He would carefully inquire later. First things first. "And the body? Does this mean we're the same person?". "Hmm, I would describe it as ... you and me, we are now the same being, the same entity, just different facets. Think of it as a man with multiple personalities, tsehe". "Just great", Johann instinctively retorted under his breath. "Are there, well ... boundaries? How does this work? Do you see what I see? Hear what I hear?", the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company would ask, his curiosity slowly overtaking the irritation. It had never before been the case that Mars had been so ... chatty. Even if this was all lies, he would at least seize this opportunity to talk to the creature to get as much out of him as possible. Perhaps it would help him judge the "Nephilim's" character in some way.

---

Word Count: 980
Word Count Total: 980 (Word Count reset)

This time, however, Mars seemed quick and eager to respond. "Ah, a good question, my little vessel. I can, indeed, see what you see, hear what you hear. There's much more than that, as well, tssehehe". Johann's brows inched closer together, a curtly demand in the form of "Explain" leaving his lips. "I told you, we are the same being, the same entity. I can not only perceive what you perceive, it just so happens to work the other way around, as well. Close your eyes and listen". "What?", the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company inquired, slightly confused. "Just listen". Johann hesitated but would close his eyes reluctantly, taking a deep breath, silence overtaking him. At first, he didn't understand, though as a few seconds passed, his senses would do work to unravel the secret of Mars' words. Johann could feel the streams of wind that passed over him, and not just that, he could sense the wind all around him. He could hear the chirping of birds, the hissing of snakes, even the crawling of and skittering of insects and other small creatures. Instinctively, an image began to form in his mind, an image of his surroundings that located and arranged all these sounds, all these impressions in a neat pattern for him to work through. The man opened his eyes, speechless. "Isn't it nice? It comes in handy in the long run, trust me", Mars would be swift to comment. "This is ...", the God of Ishgar failed to find the right word. "Powerful", Mars sought to fill in the blank. Johann found himself in silent agreement. "And there is much more than that". Johann, still dumbfounded by the change to his perception made a blank face, his intrigue now getting the better of him. "What do you mean?".

Mars giggled. "It is not just perception. I can feel ... your emotions, just like you will be able to feel mine. I can sense your thoughts, just like you hear mine right now". Johann swallowed, paling a little. "So ... does that mean you can ... feel, you can hear ... everything?". "A difficult question. In essence ... yes. Your thoughts are my thoughts, your feelings are my feelings". Johann was aware of the meaning of this explanation, but it was a thoroughly difficult thing to grasp, even if only on a conceptual level. "That's ...", the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company found himself speechless once more, though for an entirely different reason than before, discomfort written on his expression. "Are you worried that I'll intrude on things that aren't meant for little old me? How adorable, tssehehe. Don't worry, I can, well, shut myself out for a while, if you wish. Think of it as, hm, leaving a metaphorical room". Mars sounded oddly reassuring. "Alright ... so ... you would do that?". Mars cackled. "If it is your concept of privacy that is your concern, there is nothing I would desire more than preserving that little shred of illusion you hold yourself to, of course. Tssehehe". "Very thoughtful", Johann commented idly. "All I mean is ... well ... you know ...". Mars broke the silence that followed the God of Ishgar's words, the cackle, giggle, and laughter absent from his voice, "I understand. Some things aren't meant for your ears, some things aren't meant for mine. We all have secrets, hm?". Johann was instinctively inclined to thank Mars, though stopped himself from vocalizing such inclinations, unsure if gratitude directed at this entity was appropriate after his experiences with the self-proclaimed Lord of War. "No need to thank me. It is what it is". Well, this at least seemed to confirm Mars' theory. Johann sighed, nodding. Perhaps the creature had been truthful, after all? Time would have to tell.

"So-", the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company began speaking anew, not yet running out of questions to ask the other, "-If we inhabit the same body ... then who is in control of it?". It was almost like he could feel Mars' attitude shift back to a more jovial stance, and he could envision the creature's grin as he answered once more. "Ah, another oh so clever question. As you can probably tell, you are in control of your body. You can think, you can move, you can speak like any other person. Isn't that just the best? Tssehehe". Johann was quick to respond, a curt tone defining his words, "Mars, get to the point". "But of course", the other replied in a cheerful, almost playful tone. "It would probably be best for you and your ... hm, decidedly human understanding of existence and consciousness to remain in control of this body for the majority of the time. However, should you so wish, you could surrender control to me. If only for a limited amount of time, of course, tssehehe". "You would take control of this body?", the God of Ishgar asked, this time more curiously. "Yes, it is our body, after all". "And that only happens when I allow it?". Mars giggled. "Well, perhaps? As you know, I can control this body just as much as you can. Would we conflict with one another, I suppose the stronger one would take control, but we wouldn't want that now, would we? I think it would be much more productive if we simply cooperated, don't you agree, my little vessel? Tssehehe".

The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company had figured as much. He had felt Mars take him over a few times before, but to know that he could struggle against it was a relief of some sort. Whether he was strong enough to wrestle control of this form from Mars ... that was an entirely different question. "Very well", Johann would respond instead, his gaze on the ground before him as he focussed inward. "If it is sincere cooperation you offer, I am not opposed to a ... let's call it a truce. But, and I hope you know this, Mars-", Johann would pause briefly, his tone slightly altered, "-I still do not trust you after everything you have done. Not one bit". "I would've assumed no less from such a cunning and clever individual, tssehe. Trust is a very much human concept, born from the capacity of you mortals for lies, deceit, and betrayal. I wasn't created with these concepts in mind, but ... very well. If it trust you desire, then in time, I am certain that we will see eye-to-eye on these issues", the other cackled in response. Johann remained quiet, thinking to himself briefly. "We'll see".

---

Word Count: 1,112
Word Count Total: 2,092

There was something else on the man's mind, though. Mars had repeatedly referred to himself as a "Nephilim", talking about being created, something that confused the silver-haired Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company somewhat. "I have another question", he began, Mars responding with a deep, low "Hm? Go ahead". Johann paused briefly to collect his thoughts. "What do you mean by "Nephilim"? You said that you were "created". I'd assumed that you were a demon, based on what you've said previously. Was that a lie?". "Oh, how incredibly perceptive of you, old man. Truly, a great mind, the greatest of minds to-", Johann would swiftly interrupt the creature, driven by increasing annoyance with the other's antics, who seemed lost in another playful display of hubris. "For heaven's sake, stop the sarcasm and give me a straight answer". Mars chuckled initially, a low "Heaven is a good call, tssehehe ..." muttered under his breath, echoing through the Vice President's mind like a quiet whisper. "This might be a long and ... hm, complex explanation. You may choose to believe me, or you may not, but as I said, my little vessel, I was not created to lie. I simply ... hm, left out some, as you would call it, additional information, tssehehe ...".

Mars paused briefly, attempting to structure a response that would make his explanation of the facts the silver-haired man had asked for at least somewhat comprehensible to the other. It was, as the creature had said, a long and complex topic, one that even Mars, in some aspects, understood little of, but the Nephilim had been given the knowledge to understand the intentions and processes behind his own creation, and indeed, would do his best to convey it thus to the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company. At first, the creature would ask the mortal a question. "You are familiar with the concept of demons, hm?". Johann gave a decisive nod. He had heard many stories about them, both when he was younger and over his later years, all of them, of course, negative, portraying demonkind as bloodthirsty, greedy, evil, and all other vices one could imagine. Mars didn't take this into consideration, responding simply with "Good. What about angels?". Johann would hesitate briefly, but would again nod his head, though not quite as decisively as before. "Mhm, I see". The entity paused briefly. "Well, essentially, a Nephilim is a term used for a hybrid between an angel and a demon. It is a concept most unholy, dark, forbidden, and taboo, to both demons and angels alike, as they are, as you may or may not know, natural enemies". Johann looked up. "How come that ..." "I am one? Hm, I don't know why I was created as a Nephilim. I know, however, that a Nephilim enjoys certain ... privileges". "Privileges?". "In the divine hierarchy. I suppose you do not understand. Let me try to explain: Nephilim are outside of the authority of angels, and thus angels cannot control them. At the same time, they enjoy power inherent to both demons and angels, combining it into something much greater than the sum of its parts. Another reason why we, these creations of light and dark, are forbidden. Anyway, I digress. To understand this, I suppose I need to explain my nature, as well as my origin". "Yes", Johann would comment, curious, interested in Mars' story, but at the same time, perplexed, confused about the situation Mars described. "There are some things you could elaborate on".

"One thing after the other", Mars responded. "Have you ever read a bible?". Johann nodded. He wasn't one for gods and the divine, he'd never really had much time to believe or worship, but his parents had placed some emphasis on religious education, though he didn't know the work in its entirety. His pleading and prayers had always been ignored, anyway. "Have you ever heard of the book of Revelations, or more specifically, the Seven Seals?". The Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company shook his head. "Well, that complicates it. Let me try to condense it: I am one of Seven Seals, created by a deity you know as "Lord", "Father", and so on, for a very specific purpose: We are to initiate the apocalypse and wipe out all life on this planet. Each Seal is a Nephilim, possessing authority over a different aspect of the apocalypse, has been placed inside a bloodline of humans to slumber until the command to initiate the end of the world was given by Father, much like I was sealed inside you and have now merged with you. I, Mars, am the Second Seal of the Apocalypse, given authority over the aspects of war and destruction. It would seem, though, that you mortals have found a way to tamper with divine will, and so, for some reason, I am not only awake, but I have also merged my body and soul with my host. Let me assure you, this is a little bit of an itty bitty annoyance, tssehehe ...". "Are you ... are you serious?". Mars remained silent for a good few moments, the normally so often present amused tone once more absent from his voice. "As I said, I do not lie". "So you're some kind of ... apocalypse Monster-", "Nephilim", Mars corrected in a matter of fact tone, "-Right, a Nephilim that is supposed to end the world ... and you've been placed in me ... in my bloodline to ... to wage war and destroy? I- ... I'm sorry, I think I need to process that ...". "Sure, I can imagine this is a little bit of a surprise for someone like you, but it is the truth. Being awake is fun and all, I have to admit, you're a quirky little fellow, but ...", it was quite the ironic statement coming from Mars, "... I still intend to complete my mission when the time comes. Don't worry about that, though, my little vessel. You won't have to participate in that ... most likely. I'll just pass on to someone else when it's your time to go, and that's that, tssehehe".

---

Word Count: 1,034
Word Count Total: 3,126

"That's anything but reassuring", Johann responded, his face pale as he lowered himself on the ground, staring at the blanket of grass that surrounded him. "How am I supposed to accept this. This ... your story, it's ..." "Outlandish? Yes, I suppose it would seem that way to a human. Don't worry about it too much. That's for me to deal with. In the meantime, let's just try to be friends and get along, hm?". "You're a real comedian, Mars". The Second Seal, as he had introduced himself, giggled. "I'll take that as a compliment". Johann's eyes widened, his expression shifting as if he had just recalled something. "Wait, so, let me try to understand this. If you are a Nephilim, or whatever you call yourself, and you have merged with me ... does that mean that I'm now ... a demon? An angel? Both?". This question would provoke intense and vigorous laughter from the Nephilim, who's cackle echoed through the silver-haired man's mind loudly. "Tsssehehehe ... yes, you are the most ferocious of demons, the most graceful of angels. Hah!". "What? Mars! This is-" "-Yes, yes, serious business, I understand ... tssehehe. You could say that, in essence, you have access to my powers as a Seal, both demonic and angelic. Whether that makes you a true demon or an angel is rather doubtful, but ... I suppose it can grant you some of their attributes. Regardless-", the Seal chirped happily, appearing, once more, quite cheerful, "-you will find that your laughable attempt at power has been replaced with something a little more ... impressive, tssehehe".

"You mean my magic? Is that why ...". It dawned on the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company. Magic was a representation of the body and soul. This body, this soul, they were no longer his alone. Had his magic been overridden by this change? It seemed like the only possible answer. "So ... what do I do now? I mean, without my magic, I'll ...". "I'll be back at square one" something the man wanted to say, admittedly distressed at the prospect of losing everything he had worked for over the last 3 decades. His position, his powers, his standing as a mage, the possibility of reversing the damage his life had inflicted upon this world ... would all of that be lost? "Well, my friend ... let me take care of that and give you ... a little gift. Consider it a token of my, hm, good will. I just need you to hold still for juuuuust a moment". Of course, Mars wasn't exactly lying. It would be his way of giving back after the man had accepted his proposal for cooperation. It was a gift, though, of course, something the other would initially not view as such. Mars readied himself for what would soon follow.

Johann, still confused, opened his mouth, disgruntled, perplexed, looking as if he was going to say something, though before he could, he would be thrown to the ground, the world blurring before him as overwhelming pain rippled through his body, a scream involuntarily escaping his lungs as he gasped for air. His form felt like it was on fire, burning, searing pain sinking into his skin, deep into his very being. The Vice President would writhe from one side to the other, his expression contorted in agony. Black scripture curled across his skin and dug through his flesh, imprinting itself onto his body as it spread out from his heart. At once, though, the process would stop, the runes covering about half of his body, the pain vanishing as quickly as it had come. Gasping for air, the man would rise to his knees, his legs shaking as heavy sweat began forming on his brow. Mars chuckled. "You're welcome, tssehehe. You'll need training to control your newfound powers, but I can easily provide my assistance in that regard. It will take a little while, days, weeks, months, perhaps, but you will be stronger than ever before". Johann didn't respond, his gaze wandering to his left hand, the extremity covered in black scripture, his eyes widening as the deep, distorted cackle of Mars echoed through his mind, and indeed, his entire being.

"Now rise, vessel of War. It is time to begin familiarizing yourself with the new you, the new Johann von Weiss, tssehehe ..."



"I haven't been here in years. This country hasn't changed, the buildings haven't changed, the people haven't changed. Still the same rigid system that grinds anyone who isn't a wealthy elitist down to their flesh and bones. I don't like being here". "Don't forget your reason for being here, old man. You've got something to retrieve, after all, tssehehe". Johann chuckled under his mask, his voice, not much more than a whisper, left his lips. "How could I possibly forget. Together, we have the power to take back my life". It wasn't just hollow words. The man, no longer Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company, but not Ambassador of Dies Irae, an organization sworn to make right the injustices of the world, by force, if necessary. Today, however, he would not appear as either. Today, this would be the last public appearance of an unnamed member of the mercenary group Onyx Moon, the mask he had preserved from his time in the West Fiore Trading Company's secret, darker side on his face, his form cloaked in the usual red coat. The masked individual stared down at the large, white granite building that from afar resembled a palace, blending roman and baroque styles, from a nearby rooftop, his eyes focussed with determination. The Royal Bank of Minstrel. His target. They opened their dimensional vaults only scarcely, and today would be such a day, a perfect opportunity for the silver-haired man to reclaim something that he had lost a long time ago: His family's fortune, confiscated by the nation of Minstrel. Unjustly, in Johann's eyes. Regardless, it wouldn't matter who was in the right or wrong here. He would get what he wanted, by force, if he had to. A good opportunity to utilize what Mars had taught him.

---

Word Count: 1,040
Word Count Total: 4,166

The entrance to the building was guarded by a few Soldiers. Mages, probably. Understandably, they had increased security in and around the bank with the opening of the vault, but it wouldn't help them either way. Johann was certain that among them, there was not a single one that could match him. Not with what he had learned from Mars. "Are you ready?", the cold voice would ring out once more, a giggle echoing through the man's mind in a similarly cold response, "Always". Beneath the mask, a smile would curl the man's lips into a smile. "Let's go". With those whispered words, the masked man would step off the edge, his form dropping down onto the large plaza before the palace-like building, landing on the pavement gently and gracefully, confident, slow steps taking him towards the building. He was so close to taking back what was rightfully his own. With every second, he drew closer and closer, now almost reaching the stairs that led up to the entrance.

Of course, a guard would inevitably take notice of the strange masked figure, raising a hand. "Excuse me, Sir. I must ask you to stop. Please remove your mask". Johann would halt for a moment, his voice making it evident that he was smiling, though the mask, of course, hid that smile. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I will. Out of my way and I will let you live". The guard immediately drew the sword at his side, the blade wrapped in crackling electricity as soon as he did. Through this, the guard would speak up once more, though his voice transitioned into a demanding shout, something that immediately drew the attention of the other guards. "Step back, hands in the air!". What a nuisance. He would've let them go if they'd just moved out of the way without hindering him. Now guards began to rush over, forming a half-circle around the masked individual.

"Very well. I warned you", Johann would answer curtly. With blinding speed, he would wave his hand, the guard who had drawn his sword freezing before being gripped by an invisible force and launched backward into a tall granite pillar, his impact cracking the structure and shaking the ground. With this move, all hell broke loose. The other guards would erupt into shouts, all drawing weapons or activating magic of some sort in an orchestrated effort to stop the intruder. Johann couldn't blame them. They were doing their jobs, and if they weren't complacent in Minstrel's political system, a system that was built on class discrimination, inequality, exploitation, and suffering, he probably would've been more inclined to knock them out instead. Not today, not here, though. He raised his other hand, another flash of magic rippling from the masked man. The other guards, too, would freeze before being lifted a few inches, perhaps a foot into the air. Johann snapped his fingers, their heads twisting around their own axis, necks tearing, ripping audibly. The man lowered his hand, limp bodies falling to the ground around him. Hardly a challenge at all.

Civilians and employees would flee past him as he entered the building, the blaring alarm drowning out screams of panic and distress. He would let them. If they weren't standing in his way, they were of negligible importance. He wasn't here for a massacre. The masked man just wanted his possessions back.

He would head deeper into the building, descending a long flight of stairs before finally reaching a long hallway, vaults lining its sides, and, of course, the largest one visible in the distance at the end of the hallway. Johann took a step forward, though, would stop immediately, registering the rising magical signature before he even saw the man. Tendrils of string would shoot forth from the shadows around him, attempting to wrap around his body. It would be useless. Johann reached out, a blade materializing in his hand before he severed those same strings, his head turning towards the largest of the vaults, a figure approaching from its confines. A man stepped into the light, appearing in his mid 50's. His face was lined with light wrinkles, his ebony, shoulder-length hair tied into a tight ponytail behind his head. A monocle framed one of his eyes, and he was dressed in a black vest and a matching pair of silken pants, a white shirt completing the appearance of this thin, but tall man.

"I didn't expect a lowlife criminal to come this far, I must admit. This will be the end of your little attempt at a heist, however. I swear, that I as Administrator would have to take care of this problem myself. What a nuisance ...". Johann didn't pay much attention to what the man had to say. His attention was instead focussed on the voice, and, once he came into view, the man's face. His brows furrowed under the mask before his voice would ring out as well, echoing through the hallway, his tone possessing a poisonous note within as he spoke. "Abraxas von Weiss". "Oh? I didn't think scum like you would know my name. How quaint. Am I that famous?". Johann's hand wandered to his mask, removing the item and slipping it into one of his pockets. The other eyes him cautiously, obviously making sure to pay special attention to the intruder's face. Of course, Johann didn't quite look the same, though Abraxas still looked the same, though much older compared to the last time he had seen him. "No, but we have met before. It's been a while. 30 years, to be exact". The other raised a brow, evidently extremely suspicious about the silver-haired man's words. "Who are you?". Johann smiled. "That you wouldn't recognize your own cousin, Abraxas. It's me, Johann".

The man's expression would shift immediately, his mouth slightly agape before he regained his composure, a light smirk on his lips. "You look good for, what is it, 50 years old?". Johann retorted swiftly and with a similar smirk, his tone, however, still steeped in the same toxicity. Of course the other branch would install someone to watch the family fortune, Abraxas no less. He was a cruel individual, snobby like all the other mainlanders. He thought less of Johann and his side of the family for choosing to forgo the court life and politics of Minstrel, and indeed, was one of the people who refused to aid him after what had happened on Amber Island. "48, but thank you. Magic can work wonders, hm?". "It would seem so". The would simply stare at each other for a few seconds, observing one another, before Abraxas would take the word once more, all semblance of politeness gone from his voice. "Why are you here?". Johann answered without hesitation. "I think you know why I've come, Abraxas. The family fortune. It's mine". "Of course. What else could it be ... I heard that you'd resurfaced, on that god-forsaken rock no less. What did you call it, Amber Island? An overblown name for a desolate shithole like that. What do they call you now? Ambassador, hm? I see you're still the same stupid child, gathering together your little group of adventurers and pretending to play heroes. I have to admit, you spooked Mother and Father. They were afraid you may contest Mother's leadership of the dynasty". Johann didn't respond, furrowed brows atop furious eyes staring intently at Abraxas.

The Administrator took a deep breath. "You're mistaken. This money is legitimately ours. We won the rights to it". "You know that I would have been the next successor". Abraxas simply shrugged. He knew the reason why Johann wasn't the head of the von Weiss family just as much as Johann knew it. "I didn't expect to receive hand-outs. As you can see, I am willing to claim it by force". These words seemed to anger Abraxas, who raised his arms, his expression twisted into a rage-filled grimace as he began shouting at the silver-haired man. "You? You have to claim it by force? laughable. A few decades back you couldn't even fight a bunch of dirty bandits, and now you've come back as one yourself? I should've known. I have always known! You're nothing but a filthy street dog, just like your parents were before you!".

As much as Johann would've liked for the opposite to be true, Abraxas' words struck true. Rage flared up within the man's chest, his heart pulsing with adrenaline in his chest. "What do you know, Abraxas? You're so stuck in this system of intrigue and betrayal that you lost your humanity somewhere along the way. Let me past, get out of my sight and tell Lelija and Cilas what happened, and then leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you and your family". "Let you past? Over my cold, dead body, little Johann. I am the Administrator of this bank! I will not allow a criminal access to our vau-".

"As you wish".

The man was promptly shut up, a rapier piercing his chest, Johann moving with such speed and precision that the other had no way to predict or evade the attack. Blood burst from the man's mouth, Johann placing his hand on Abraxas' shoulder and pulling back the rapier, the man sinking to his knees.

"A shame, Abraxas, but I gave you a chance. I will take what is mine".

The other appeared as if in shock, grasping at the wound in his chest before slumping over, falling onto the cold, concrete floor into a puddle of his blood. Johann scoffed. This had been unexpected. He hadn't thought that he would run into his own cousin here, though reflecting on it, it made sense. His family, at least the remaining part of it, were aristocrats, and they would act, think like them. Not to mention the fact that they were part of Minstrel's court. Wealth was their power. Of course they would place one of their own here to watch over their fortune. Well, they would be in for a rude surprise once they heard of this incident. Of course, this wasn't all of the family's wealth.

Keeping all of one's assets in one place was more than a liability. It was practically like asking your political rivals to try and mess with you, much like Johann had done today, though this wouldn't leave the silver-haired man alone. the von Weiss dynasty could stem the loss of a couple of billion Jewels, but one of their own being executed like this would send ripples through Minstrel's political world. Johann could care less, but ... perhaps it would make them suspicious. The lost von Weiss, previously presumed dead, emerging again after more than 30 years, Abraxas von Weiss killed and a decent portion of the family fortune stolen. Perhaps it would make them suspicious. Perhaps they would blame it on their rivals. Johann didn't know, and honestly, he cared little, but ... it would be best to stay informed and keep an eye out. Maybe he would have to call in some favors from his West Fiore Trading Company days.

Either way, it wasn't important for now. He had a vault to clear out first.

---

Word Count: 1,873
Word Count Total: 6,039