Chapter 308: Here Comes the Danger (1/2)
”You are all a bunch of traitors! You ran when things got too real for you, Zinnia, and now you choose to fight only because they personally affect you know? Who are you to decide when this fight means something to you?! And you, Iris. If you were strong enough, perhaps Alton wouldn't have had to go this far. Just remember, at the end of the day. You caused this; Alton died because of you. And now there's only me Ten, the last of the true Judgement of the Ten. Alton's blood is on your hands.”
”Alton, snap out of this! This isn't you; you wouldn't let innocent people suffer like this! You'd stand and fight!” Zinnia begged.
Alton chuckled, swinging his arm around. ”Who are you to decide who I am and what I'm capable of?! This is the real me. The me I was born and made into. Alton Brantley was nothing more than a wishful nobody who died begging for me to save the day. And thus, I will; if you won't accept this world, this world doesn't require you any longer. I can simply make copies who fall more in line. Kill them…. Kill every last one of them!”
The Safeties turned on the two girls as Zinnia held her hand out, pleading with Alton. ”Don't do this, Alton! We can help you, come back to us. Come back to Team Rhapsody!”
Alton watched a tear running down his face as he flicked it away, snarling, watching the two girls flee. ”Team Rhapsody? What a load of bullshit.”
”Is this what you wanted, Ten?” A voice whispered.
Alton turned, letting out a dry smirk. ”It was only a matter of time before you showed up….”
Acceptance sat on the edge of the rooftop looking over Alton's new world with a slow clap. ”You've worked wonders so quickly, haven't you, Ten? How do you like my powers?”
Alton looked down at the Phantom walking, standing right next to him. ”I heard little whispers of this. Past hosts of the Stages coming back to haunt the current. Is that what this is? You trying to get into my head from beyond the grave?”
”Perhaps.” Acceptance said in a somewhat mocking tone, slouched over, pushing his hands against his knees. ”You've been busy, though, getting straight to work. The Long Whisper and now your own seemly perfect world to keep everyone safe. What a load of bullshit. Was that Alton's idea by any chance? You still haven't got full control over him.”
”Who did you see when you took power? What demon tormented you throughout your days, Archie?”
Acceptance scratched his beard, which was withering with age since losing his Stage. The phantom of Archie looked much worn down and ragged, his suit stained and bloody, his hair torn with serval bald spots and his eyes void of colour. The Garden gone from his body. ”I saw an elderly woman, one you could simply walk past on the street and never bat an eye to. She was different from the others Stages. She didn't fight nor choose to dabble in the greed and sins of the others. She was kind and caring. Beatrice, I believe her name was, she helped me along my journey as I will with you.”
”I don't require such help. Especially not from the likes of you.”
”I'll admit I was never the strongest; I couldn't beat most in a fight. Nor could I ever hope to be on the same level of power as Bargaining or Anger. I accepted that long ago, but what advantage I did hold over them was simple, it was the advantage of the brain. This pocket world is a blessing, one you can take advantage of. That's, of course, why you're here, correct? It's more than just hold everyone prisoner. You wish to finally settle things with the boy?”
”Our conversation here is over, Archie. I'll be one to admit having you here isn't all gloomy. I'll be sure to contact you if required. Your knowledge might just be useful.”
Acceptance stood up, vanishing his voice trending off with the wind. ”This world is like a dream. Once you realise that you can do just about anything.”
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