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Wilbur was a pretty average guy. Maybe a little tall, but otherwise completely normal looking. If you met him on the street, you'd probably share a greeting, maybe a few jokes or jabs, with each other before continuing your day.
But, Orpheus…now Orpheus was the opposite of normal. Very few had ever seen the man, let alone met him. And the few that did, never lived to tell the tale. Whispers circled around the lower circles of the Syndicate of what he was like.
Ah, and how could I forget, the Syndicate! The ruling mafia of the city! Multiple cities now. Famous for loyalty for its members and cruelty for its enemies. Once you were in, there was no turning back. Debts to the Syndicate while in L'manburg were some of the most feared things.
It was ruled by the Blood God and Zephyrus. Fiercely loyal and incredibly secretive. If someone was given an order, immediate obedience was expected.
The Blood God always wore a pig's skull for a mask and dressed often in reds to complement his rosy pink hair. Some people whispered of how he cared for those long locks more than his family. But they were always shushed. His monotone voice hid any emotion that might have given a hint to what he was really like. He was always stoic and commanding around his workers.
Zephyrus was known to be friendlier. Maybe a quick smile flashed your way before hidden behind a cool exterior. He wore a dark feathered mask over his eyes and an odd bucket hat of his colors of forest green and white. He wore suits but was often seen in his office and around his popular casinos in embroidered robes.
Some people whispered of another leader or maybe even a supreme one behind the scenes after some claimed to see him. Not many details were able to be collected except that they were tall, hid their eyes behind a blindfold like mask, and had a dark gray trench coat. No one knew who he was, and Wilbur liked to keep it that way.
Well, there were three people, actually.
His family obviously knew. Phil would often make jokes about his odd choice of costume. And Techno was the one who sent him in on undercover missions, both within and outside of the Syndicate.
The third was Fundy. Who wasn't supposed to know but found out after Wilbur couldn't use his gift on him.
You see, in this crazy world, it's extremely rare, but sometimes, certain individuals are blessed with unusual abilities. Wilbur had that of a silver tongue. He could command anyone to do anything. Well, except Fundy.
Techno had sent the brunette to find the person who was stealing their files meant to distract hackers. Finding him was easy. But when he commanded him to stab himself, the ginger didn't even blink. Just ran.
Eventually it led to Fundy being recruited. (After he was chased and caught, he explained he had been hired by a certain person because he needed money and protection.) The two now were good friends and practiced their powers together.
Phil had the power of flight with dark feathered wings that he could make appear at will. While Techno had super strength and healing. They were quite the powered group.
So life was going pretty good for the brunette, happy and surrounded by family and friends, even with a bit of danger thrown in. Until it wasn't.
There were certain facts about his family he just couldn't ignore, especially when he was the one who took the aftermath.
Philza was not a weak man. But he couldn't ever ignore the enticement of gambling. He always won. He owned dozens of casinos for a reason. But sometimes the stakes were just a little too high and Phil was just a bit too sure of himself.
♤♢♡♧
It was late evening on a Tuesday when Quackity, their recently hired private secretary, answered a call. Wilbur (pretending not to listen to his friend) was in his own office next door.
"Hello, you've reached the Syndicate Headquarters. How may I assist you?" A silence followed. "I am the head secretary, which means this is the farthest you'll go….No, sir, I can't do that." The brunette poked his head in as Quackity started to sound frustrated.
"Is everything alright?" He asked, making the shorter man look up.
"Sorry, just another potential buyer demanding a leader." Quackity shrugged. He paused as he listened to the phone. "You what?" All color drained from his cheeks. "I-....I'm sorry. I'll send you to Zephyrus." He hit the button to complete the action.
"What happened?" Wilbur asked anxiously.
"It was the secretary of the Scarlet Phoenix. He didn't say that though until the literal boss came on the line. I sent him to Phil." Wilbur nodded, a little pale himself.
The Scarlet Phoenix was one of the few other ruling mafias out there. Their territory often was rather close to the Syndicate's. So to get a call like that, would be rather worrisome.
He left the man to continue his job and left to find Phil. He opened the gilded doors to find his father on the phone, grinning ear to ear. (Good news maybe?)
"I can't wait." The blonde said as he reclined in his office chair. "Farewell, Red."
"What is it?" The brunette asked as the older man let out a chuckle.
"We've been invited for a bit of fun at the Phoenix's main casino tonight." Wilbur just rolled his eyes at his father's excitement.
"Have fun, then." The son said, before turning to leave.
"Come on, mate. You never have a day out with us anymore." His father pleaded. "We can make it a family night out." The blonde was still grinning.
"Guess I'll get ready to leave." He sighed. (Why couldn't Phil go gambling without dragging him along.)
Not long later, the three heads of the Syndicate were in their limo. Phil had a splitting grin on his face that did not match his black mask and forest green suit.
Techno looked rather normal for the "occasion" in his usual Syndicate suit of wine red with a white undershirt. The golden jewelry everywhere though showed his true status.
Wilbur had opted for a simple navy undershirt with his fancier looking trench coat instead of a suit jacket. His blind fold mask was getting a bit itchy though.
Usually he would come later in civilian clothes, when Phil and Techno were already busy, two teaming random rich people for their money. But his dad had asked him to make an appearance anyway. (Though the brunette knew it was for the Phoenix.)
They arrived at the red and gold themed casino and their chauffeur opened the door. Phil stepped out first as shouts of reporters and journalists came. He gave them all a wave as he walked into the entrance.
Techno followed suit, but waited as Wilbur stepped into view. Gasps quickly followed along with plenty of flashes of photos. He smirked at them slightly as he walked side by side with his twin inside. (The rumors made him shudder internally.)
Inside was filled with the rich people of the city of Pogtopia. A servant appeared as the two glanced around.
"This way, sirs. Zephyrus and the boss are already upstairs." The poor guy was obviously super nervous being around them. But he dutifully showed them the private lift to the top.
Wilbur watched out the glass as they moved up. People inside had hardly noticed their arrival. Less attention then.
The top floor was practically a suite of a hotel, a very lavish one at that. The plush rugs, scent of champaign, and marble tile would confirm.
Their guide led them to a separate room with the gambling table. There were five seats prepared. Each labeled in red thread who it belonged to. Their dad gave them a small grin from his seat that said guest. The twins sat on either side as the servant excused himself.
A second later, a short man (practically a boy if Wilbur had to guess) entered. His messed-up hair (almost looked intentional) was slightly pulled back as he gave them a smile. He wore a black vest over a sage green button-up.
"Hello, I'm Tubbo and I'll be your dealer tonight." Wilbur could practically feel his brother raise an eyebrow at the young voice and demeanor.
"It's nice to meet you, mate." Their dad responded with a smile. The young brunette took his place as the door opened a final time.
"Good evening, gentlemen." A literal teenager stood before them. Wilbur's own eyebrow raised as he took in the flashy red and white suit. His feathered mask looked similar to Phil's but with lots of shades of reds and oranges. “Zephyrus, Blood God, Orpheus.” (Because he somehow knew Wilbur’s persona.) He wore a small, knowing smile. "I'm so glad you could join me." Wilbur could practically feel the eyes on him.
"It's a pleasure to be here." The brunette caught his dad grinning in excitement. "The reputation of your skill precedes you." The blonde curls bobbed in acknowledgment.
"You're too kind." He said, taking a seat across from then. "So you like how I play then? Big risk, big reward?" Wilbur felt a small chill down his spine as his dad nodded. "Very well then. Tubbo, deal out a game of 5 card poker." He snapped his fingers as he turned back to the three. "There's something so enticing about gambling with huge risks. So tonight, I'd like to set the stakes early."
Cards and poker chips were placed in front of them. Phil slid the cards to his right so Techno would have them and left the chips. Red picked up his own cards as Wilbur glanced around the table. (Man, he wishes he knew how to play now.)
"Let's say, if you win, I'll give you rights to half of my banking company, including profits, and the city of Snowchester." Wilbur gaped as Phil grinned.
"Sounds good to me, mate." Red chuckled at his quick response.
"But if I win….hm….if I win, one of you becomes mine." The brunette felt his dad freeze. (Why did he have to agree so quickly?!)
"Which one?" Techno was the one to ask. He sounded perfectly bored with everything going on. Red just shrugged.
"I guess I'll decide if I win. Now let's begin." He said with a smile.
♤♢♡♧
Wilbur really wished he knew how card games worked now. As the banter continued around the table, he kept silent. The stakes were certainly high.
He glanced at his brother as his family members whispered their thoughts. Who wouldn't pick the Blood God to keep? He was a leader who was hardly affected by anything. With his gift as an added bonus, it was like a perfectly wrapped gift.
So he continued to watch anxiously as the pile of chips continued to rise and fall next to him.
Suddenly, he felt Phil tremble a little from excitement. (A good hand maybe?) Sure enough, he bet quite a bit. But Red raised his bet until they would be all in. Time froze as Techno finally squinted at their opponent.
All their chips went in. (He hoped Red was bluffing.) They laid down their cards.
"A full house." Phil said with a confident smile. Except Red returned it, laying down his cards.
"Straight flush." He gave a little laugh at Phil's shocked expression. "Please, Zephyrus. You should know I never lose."
Then it hit Wilbur that they lost. Out of chips, the game was over. A shiver ran down his spine as he imagined leaving without Techno. (Their company would be in chaos.)
"I'll be honest, you played very well. Better than almost everyone who played me." Red continued as Tubbo put all the cards and chips away. He stood up with the three and met them near the door.
The brunette could feel the grimness coming from his brother. He seemed to have reached the same conclusion as himself.
"As for my prize, I choose…you."
Two shouts of protest immediately follow his sentence. But Wilbur was just stunned as he processed the hand grabbing his arm.
"Now, hold on!" Phil cried as the brunette was pulled away from the two.
"Sorry, Zephyrus. I won fair and square." The younger blonde shook his head, almost sympathetically. "I hope you have a good night, gentlemen." Four security guards appeared as Techno tried to grab Wilbur. "And please don't make a scene." The two were pale and scowling but they allowed themselves to be escorted out. And Wilbur watched as his last piece of familiarity left.
"Well, I'm exhausted." Red commented once they left. "Put up quite a fight, huh? Come along then, Orpheus. We can organize your new line of work tomorrow." The brunette allowed himself to follow mechanically.
♤♢♡♧
The next morning, feeling nothing but numb, he was brought to Red's office where the man waited. He had left his mask, because his identity didn't really matter if he belonged to someone.
He was surprised as he entered at the lack of a mask on the blonde. Who smiled, making those ice blue eyes sparkle. He looked even younger in the morning sunlight that streamed from the open floor to ceiling windows.
"Welcome!" He said, gesturing for the brunette to join him. "You look well rested. And now that you work for me, I need some basic details."
Wilbur nodded numbly. (Well rested, yeah right. Spending three hours processing your world falling apart let's one be very well rested.)
♤♢♡♧
And that's how Wilbur's world shifted from being a secretive member of the Syndicate known as Orpheus to the personal assistant of the Scarlet Phoenix known as Whisper.
His job was to know about everything going on in the Fire Circle Mafia after his new boss saw how adept he was at listening and remembering details. So, more than ever, he found himself working outside an office.
And Tommy, (Red's real name) was actually a pretty good boss. He respected Wilbur's silence (he swore never to use his gift for someone else) and even learned sign language to communicate even more.
So, all in all, it wasn't the worst thing ever. Sure, Tommy knew he had a silver tongue (it was required) but at least he didn't have to use it. The brunette did miss his family a lot though.
But he respected Tommy's order of never coming into contact with them. (It'd be too painful to remember he had been left behind.)
And then (in typical Wilbur fashion) his life changed. (Again)
♤♢♡♧
His steps were silent as he walked towards his target. Rumors had confirmed a spy in the lower tier of employees. And Whisper hears everything.
However, he's only sent on missions where men don't come back. It's easier to have a mute person listen to pleas he can't answer.
Wilbur admitted to himself, late at night, that his unused gift ached inside him. But it was better than exposing himself.
His knife slid easily into his grip as he let his foot finally make a sound, grating the pebbles below his boot.
The man turned and quickly paled as he saw him. But as he turned to run, the brunette threw the knife skillfully into his shoulder. He fell with a cry to the pavement of the dark street.
"Wait, wait, wait!" He shouted as Wilbur advanced towards him. "Please! I was set up!" The brunette drew another knife. "I can tell you who! Just please, don't hurt me!" He covered his face as the knife came close to his neck.
"You're pathetic." A voice whispered in his ear. He gasped before falling dead with a slit in his neck.
Wilbur tsked as he eyed the body and sighed as he saw blood on his trenchcoat. It would take forever to clean it.
As he turned to walk away, his ears caught a whistling noise. In the blink of an eye, he dodged a bullet aimed for his shoulder, drawing his throwing knives as he faced the alleyway it came from.
The shooter stood up slowly, the pistol still in hand. The shadowed figure advanced slowly until they were in the light. Their skull mask lit up in the moon. (It couldn't be.)
He sheathed his blades with a grin on his face.
"Blood God, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?" The pinkette didn't holster his weapon, making Wilbur a little nervous. But Tommy had given him advice should something like this happen.
("I trust you, but I know not everything goes perfectly to plan in this business." The blonde had said one night as they chatted in a private lounge.
A fire flickered light onto the deep colored wood. The atmosphere had grown rather friendly between them as the months had passed. Tommy was kind and happy to bother Wilbur.
"If it ever happens that you run into anyone from the Syndicate, I want you to pretend you don't know them." The brunette sharply glanced across the brown couch, but Tommy didn't notice. "Officially, your name is Wren Gold. And if you must, use that as an alibi. It is a completely authentic document. Lie and wait for backup." And that was the end of it.)
"Wilbur." Growled the other. The man in question just raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry if I just killed the man you're looking for, but spies usually end like that." He replied with a shrug.
"Cut the crap." The gun pointed at his chest, making the brunette freeze. He paled, a chill of ear down his spine.
"I…don't know what you mean." He pocketed his hands. "I've done nothing against the Syndicate."
The pinkette strode closer, which left Wilbur's back to the wall. He drew his knives as the other got too close.
"I'm not dealing with this right now. Either come with me or I will make you." Frustration leaked into his voice. The brunette stood at ready, with his blades in front of him.
"I'd like to see you try, Blood God." He spat the last part. (Too much?)
It got a response though. He was forced to dodge as his past brother shot for his arm. He threw his knife as he dashed forwards again. But the pinkette rolled and shot again. The other tried to push off the wall, but wasn't quick enough
The brunette cried out as it struck his right shoulder, making him fall to the ground. His other knife dropped to the ground as pain pulsed in his upper body.
He glanced up as the other stood over him. A boot slammed on his wrist as he reached for the knife. He grit his teeth against the pain.
But before anything else could happen, a shot echoed through the alley. Wilbur took the advantage of surprise and kicked the Blood God off of him. His shoulder ached as he rolled up onto his feet.
He flinched as someone landed in front of him. But fiery red wings made him relax as Tommy stood between him and his previous brother.
“Are you good to fight?” Tommy asked without looking and in his hand was a gun. The Blood God looked angry as his arm bled. (Wilbur recalled the shot from before.)
“ I’m okay for now. ” He signed and got a nod in response.
“Take this.” Wilbur caught the gun when Tommy said that. His blue eyes flashed in surprise, warning Wilbur.
Arms grabbed him by the armpits before he was lifted into the air. He twisted and shot Zephyrus in the arm, who cried out. Wilbur grabbed the building as he was dropped, rolling on the roof.
A flash of red warned him of Tommy who threw himself at Zephyrus with a knife in hand. A crackle of gravel alerted Wilbur to a more present problem. The Blood God had climbed up the fire escape. Red eyes stared at him from underneath the skull mask while blood dripped down his arm. (Wilbur was sure his shoulder wasn’t much better.)
Wilbur quickly clicked the safety off and shot. The other dodged, making a dash towards him, but he danced out of the way with ease. Blood God tried to shoot his shoulder again, but Wilbur leaned away. He pulled out his last knife as he ducked away from the hands trying to grab him. With practiced ease, he stabbed the other’s shoulder. (Just like training.)
Blood God cried out as he twisted it. Wilbur yanked it out and moved away as the other tumbled forwards. Zephyrus landed next to the Blood God and Tommy landed next to Wilbur. Sharp blue eyes glanced at him before the two left. (Something akin to grief had been in them.)
“Sorry, I got here a little late.” Tommy said as the two turned to walk back to headquarters. “I thought the spy was a little too sus. It was apparently a lure for you.” Wilbur just shrugged.
“ It’s fine. I’ve been shot before. ” He signed and winced as he remembered his shoulder. “ Let’s just go home. I’m tired. ”
“Alright, let’s go back. Remember to take care of yourself though, Wil.” The blonde continued to rant about self care, but Wilbur kind of tuned him out.
He glanced back briefly at where they had come from. His old family had tried to take him back, but they had left him months ago. Maybe it was time to stop thinking of them as family at all. The Syndicate had tried to take him prisoner, and he could never go back. (And that was all it could ever be.)