Chapter Text
Yan was standing in front of my door.
I stared at him in disbelief.
Over five months, I’d watched his Distortion recede. He’d been over ten feet when I first found him after his unfortunate visit to the Library. Slowly, human traits returned. Golden-laced gauntlets softened into pale hands. His face, once an open, floating lock, had reformed into something light and feminine. Only his body had remained unchanged.
Until now.
“Yan,” I whispered, tears bubbling over. I pulled him inside and grabbed him close, wrapping both arms around the back of his head. “I’m finally taller than you again.”
He laughed. It was weak and faded, but it was still a laugh.
“Is that really what you care about?” he asked, amusement lilting his tone. I shook my head aggressively, making sure my chin rested against his crown so he could feel my answer.
“Of course not! I just…didn’t like it when I had to look up to you before. You were too tall.” I pulled away but kept my hands on his shoulder. “But what changed? What made you almost fully…?”
Yan tilted his head, a small smile on his lips. The emotions I had just pulled into check threatened to flood just from that small emotion.
“I received a Prescript to give to you.”
I frowned.
“I’m not going to accept it. Just like every other time.”
Yan had been a repeat visitor. Now that the Index had a Distortion that was as powerful as a Star of the City, he had been put to work by them. Whatever that meant.
But every once in a while, he’d return to visit me. Always with a Prescript.
I’d reject it, and he’d accept that as an answer. Apparently, despite the fact that Prescripts had to be given to the recipient, the Prescripts he came with allowed me to deny them, stating that my refusal was also an answer.
So I refused every time.
I leaned down to stare at Yan. His eyes were still closed, but he seemed to sense my expression regardless.
“You’re confused,” he said.
“I am,” I said.
“This specific Prescript ordered me to read it first, then decide if I wanted to give it to you.”
“Is that allowed?”
“I think…well, you’re the only case I’ve seen this. And I will read it to you. You are the only person I would read this to.”
I blinked. Then, I nodded to him, telling him I was ready.
“Okay. Go ahead.”
Yan lifted the piece of paper and held it before his closed eyes.
“Serena, Venerable Sister of the Middle. In the case of the House of Spiders, do what you think is right.”
I paused. He held out the Prescript to me, and I took it.
“...Okay. I’ll accept this one.” I smiled at him. “Because I was going to do it anyway.”
Yan watched the one person in the City he believed in drive off in the passenger seat of her car.
She waved to him into the distance, then disappeared at a turn.
He immediately shifted back into his Distortion form.
He only believed in Serena.
The Will of the City must have known this. To give him a choice at all in this matter…was it really a choice, or had he followed the flow of the Index god?
He floated in the direction of his next Prescript.
Kira loved her Papa. He was the coolest! He let her eat whatever she wanted, and he didn’t place any limits for her idle time. Hell, he took her out shopping and got her whatever she asked!
He never told her no.
He was cooler than the Fixers in every show.
Grade 1 or 2? Didn’t matter. Even with one arm, he was better.
He’s like those heroes that treated a missing arm as a handicap they’d chosen for fun. So cool!
“Wow, Papa!” she said as he fought the newly appointed Color, the Yellow Harpoon, to a standstill while juggling the rest of the Limbus Company members. “You’re awesome!”
“Yeah, baby!” her dad shouted as the joy of battle took him to a high. “But make sure you’re taking care of your side of the fight. I don’t want to see you dead from these weaklings!”
Her Papa cared so much about her. Her smile widened. She kicked away the blonde’s lance off course as it came towards her chest, then spun halfway to kick the Sinner with her heel. A crack echoed as she connected, sending the Sinner flying.
“Don’t worry about me! I’m your daughter!”
“Hahaha, that’s right!”
Rien received a Prescript to accept the next person who asked as a guest into the House of Spiders. The last invited guest was nearly five years ago.
He had long since stopped questioning the instructions from Hermes. He tucked the pager away into his breast pocket and smiled.
A smile he kept at all times. There was never a reason to frown.
Especially now that his daughter would be coming home. The House of Spiders had successfully stolen the Golden Boughs from the Limbus Company Enkaphalin Department, and it would only be a matter of time until they chased after them.
He waved at his beautiful, perfect daughter through the window and turned to walk back into the teleporter.
“Wait,” a female voice called out to him.
He stopped.
Had he let one of the L.C.A. members alive? A mistake on his part. One he’d rectify immediately, if only to show his daughter the strength she’d need to overcome the House once more.
Rien spun in place and saw –
“Ah. The current Venerable Sister of the Middle. Truth be told, your presence here is truly unexpected.” He bowed. “Unfortunately, I am short on time and cannot show you the proper respect you deserve.”
The woman frowned.
“You can if you let me visit the House of Spiders,” she said. “As one of the Fingers involved in this project, I want to see the results myself.”
Serena had always been a woman of brute strength and vicious power. Subterfuge and implications were never her strength.
The words she had now had far more poise and half-truths, but Rien could see the lie beneath it.
He smiled a tiny bit wider.
“Please, then.” He stepped aside, making way for her to the teleporter. “There will be plenty of time to accommodate you with the respect you deserve in the coming days.”
There was no reason for him to question her motives.
He would not deny his god.
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 117 Hours
Kira stared at the woman Rien had called a “guest.”
“Woah! Are you…the new Venerable Sister of the Middle?” Papa asked behind her. Kira whipped her head around. Papa was raising his shades, a rare expression of surprise on his face. She flipped her attention back to the strong woman in front of her.
She’s like a super high-level boss that just joined the party!
“New?” she said, tilting her head. “I’ve been the Venerable Sister for a while now.”
Papa laughed. “Oh, sorry! It’s just been so long since I’ve seen anyone from the Middle. Twenty years,” he said, looking up to the ceiling. “Were you a part of the Middle back then?”
“No,” she said easily. She didn’t look older than twenty-five.
“Haa…well, that was a looong time ago, I suppose.” Papa pulled Kira’s hoodie down and patted her on the head. “This is my little girl. Kira’s the name, and she’d be a damn good Big Sister. Got the strength, energy, and knows all about the Middle’s loyalty!”
Kira preened at her father’s praise, teeth showing in a bright smile.
“Nice to meet you, Kira.” The woman took a step closer and bent over. “You’re cute. How old are you?”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. Nobody ever complimented her looks before. Social interaction was rare, and the few she had mostly focused on strength.
The largest compliment she’d received on her looks was from Callisto, who’d said that it was a “prime subject for art.” She’d done her best to steer clear of the Maestro ever since.
“Thanks,” she whispered, trying her best to maintain eye contact. When the Sister’s smile widened, she admitted defeat and eyed the ground in embarrassment. “I’m nineteen.”
“A baby!” The heat intensified. It felt like the thermal blades were right next to her face. “I’m taking you out shopping tomorrow.”
Shopping? That’s random…but that sounds fun!
Kira looked up quickly. “Why not today?”
The Venerable Sister smiled. “Because today, you got to rest.”
“But I’m totally able to go shopping tonight!” Kira argued, ignoring the exhaustion hammering down her arms. She could push past it! She was strong!
“My baby girl is strong. She’ll be fine,” her Papa said.
“No.”
That single word locked her down. It anchored her – every bit of fight was ripped from her in an instant.
The smile vanished. In its place was a flat line.
“Kira.” She blinked, pulled back into the present. The Venerable Sister was kneeling down so that Kira was now looking down at her. Strangely, she didn’t feel empowered whatsoever by the position. “You need to rest. Okay? Shopping will still be there, and I’ll still be here.”
“Oh. Okay,” she said, nodding weakly. “Then…I’m gonna go to sleep. Peace.”
She turned and went to her room. When the door closed, she leaned against it and put a hand against her chest.
Her Papa had never denied her anything. Not her impulses. Not even her desire to kill off any of the top ten rising Fixers to look out for. That was what made him the coolest.
When the Venerable Sister had shut her down, anger and disgust quickly replaced the embarrassment that had flooded her. But then she had gotten on her knees to look up at her.
This is weird. My heart’s…beating so fast.
She tossed away her jacket and threw herself into bed on her stomach.
Hopefully things would make more sense tomorrow.
“What do you think you’re doing, telling my girl what she can’t and cannot do?” Matthias asked. I looked at him. “I’m telling you, she’s got grit. She would’ve been fine.”
I shrugged. “Yeah, I believe you.” That seemed to make him back off, as if my words had hit him with blunt confusion. “But after some rest, she’d be even better. I’m simply looking for how she could have the best time.”
“Oh.” His smile reappeared, and he laughed. “Why didn’t you say so? That makes perfect sense!”
I didn’t say the other obvious reasons. The bags under her eyes. The blood that had smeared the girl’s clothes and face.
Matthias didn’t think like that.
“If you’re showing around here, does that mean there’s a chance? For me to come back to the Middle?”
I looked at the door Kira had disappeared through.
“It’s interesting to see that you’ve raised a daughter who’s so loyal to you,” I said. I let the silence linger for a few moments, knowing Matthias’s eyes were solely on me. “If the project goes well, and you are both alive after all of this…”
I said the words I knew would never come true.
“Then I’ll accept you back into the Middle as a Great Brother.”
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 108 Hours
Kira walked out of her room to an unfamiliar sound near the kitchen. Serena was standing near the stovetop, flipping a spatula between her fingers as she stood idly.
She’s cooking?
When was the last time her Papa had cooked? Actually, had he ever cooked? They’d usually get takeout or eat out. If she cooked at home, it was always microwave meals or instant noodles.
The scent of salt and spices filled her nose, and she found herself salivating.
“Good morning, Kira.” Serena turned to her, a soft smile on her face. It didn’t look like something the head of a Finger should have. In fact…it didn’t look like it belonged in the City at all.
“G’morning, Venerable Sister,” she greeted, uncertainty lacing her tone. Now that the adrenaline of the raid had worn off, reality was settling in.
This was the Venerable Sister of the Middle. Her Papa had never brought her around any members of the Middle, and yet the first one she comes across is the very top dog?
She felt like she was in a show. One where she was thrust into a position before a foreign king and was wildly out of her element.
“Come here, Kira.” Kira obeyed, stepping closer. She could see the eggs and bacon grilling on the pan now. Where could the Venerable Sister have gotten them? There was nothing in the fridge within its expiration date. Hadn’t been for months.
“Here,” she said, eyes flickering between the food and the woman. A plate filled with food was handed to her a second later.
“Breakfast. And also, you should call me Serena.” The Sister’s grin widened as her eyes crinkled, a single finger to her lips, like she was about to share a secret. “I also dislike being called the Venerable Sister. Make sure you call me by my name, okay? Or Sis. That works, too!”
Kira stared at the full plate, then to the Venerable Sister.
“Uh. Okay.” Stupid! Why did she sound so nonchalant? Why’d she have to mess this up?
The Venerable Sister laughed.
“You’re so cute!” A hand pinched her cheek – without hurting her – and let go. “Alright, come on. Eat up, and then the great outdoors awaits us!”
Tomorrow came.
Things made even less sense.
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 106 Hours
“Thank you.”
Serena had just thanked the stylist at the most recent store they’d entered. She’d been doing that at every store – even before buying anything.
It was weird. Really weird.
She was so strong, and she was the Venerable Sister of the Middle. Her Book of Vengeance was out on display, and yet none of the staff showed any fear to her.
They didn’t bow to her the same way they did to Papa when he’d write their names and injustices into his Book.
The male stylist smiled easily and bowed professionally – at Kira, too – then walked away after leaving the pile of clothes for Kira to try on.
Serena sat in a chair outside the changing room.
“Why do you thank them? He was just doing his job, wasn’t he?” Kira asked. She was uncomfortable the way every stylist had looked at her.
Like she was some harmless thing, not capable of bending them in half if she wished to. And she totally, totally could.
Serena raised her eyebrows.
“You do what your father asks you. Does he thank you?”
Kira thought of how her father thanked her for…
Well, he’d praise her! Tell her how she was doing great! And was free to do as she wanted, since she was doing so well.
“He supports me!” Kira snapped, shutting the curtain behind her. She took a deep breath and let it out, opening her eyes to the reflection in the mirror.
Why had she raised her voice? Serena had only asked a simple question.
So why did it feel like an insult?
She grimaced at the clothes. She’d been showing them off to Serena after every combination, and the woman had been excited and complimenting every single pairing. It would be weird if she didn’t come out now.
Kira walked out of the room with a new look, and Serena looked up and smiled.
“That’s cute, too! And cool. I like the long, baggy length of the pants.” She hummed. “Mm…yes, the design is great, and the puffy jacket on top is really nice.” Serena smirked. “Should we get this, too?”
Kira's smile came instinctively, then disappeared when she remembered what she had just done. And Serena had…just wiped it under the rug like that?
Kira scuffed her shoe and looked to the side, refusing to make eye contact.
“Hey…Serena?”
“Yes?”
“How many…how many people do you write in your Book?”
“Hmm? Where’s this coming from?”
Kira pouted. “Nowhere. I just wanted to ask.”
“Just a couple per week. But they’re mostly miscellaneous, dumb grievances.” Kira nodded. That checked out; her Papa had to remove tongues or eyes every single time they went out of the House. “Either they didn’t know who they were insulting, or they did and were just messing with me.”
And it didn’t make sense again.
“What?”
Serena leaned back in the chair and sighed heavily. “Some of the citizens under our protection are purposely trying to get into my Book. Like it’s some game.”
Still didn’t make sense.
“...Do they have a death wish? They’re from the Backstreets, right?” At Serena’s nod, Kira’s uncertainty only grew. “Do they have the Ahn to pay for the replacements?”
“Oh.” Serena stared at Kira suddenly like a revelation crossed her mind. “Ohhh, no. Kira, I don’t harm them or kill the repeat offenders. It’s really, really harmless grievances. Most of them mock a bow or say some dumb joke they’ve come up with that’s mildly insulting.”
Kira would’ve killed most of them.
“So…how many have you killed, then?” she asked. Serena stared out the window as she lost herself in thought. Then –
“I haven’t killed any of them. And before you ask your follow up question, I’ve killed two people since moving to the South Section about a year and a half ago.”
Two people?! Wait no. All of her other Siblings must handle it. That must be it. Yeah, yeah.
“Wow, you must keep a tight leash on your Siblings,” Kira said, impressed by her conclusion. Serena nodded with a laugh.
“I guess you could say that.”
Kira smiled, glad that there was something they could finally agree on.
Power was something everyone respected.
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 100 Hours
Papa was in his room. Kira knew better than to ask if he wanted to watch her shows with him. She’d asked again and again, hoping that he would join her like years ago.
That dream had long since passed.
“Oh my gods, this acting is sooooo bad. Why did they hire that Fixer for the show?” Serena cackled with her hands poorly covering her eyes. “Nooooo, he’s sooooo bad!”
Kira blinked. They were together in her room. Serena had barged in suddenly, saying that she heard her playing a show, and plopped down next to her with two large buckets of popcorn.
Like she belonged there.
“He’s not that bad,” Kira defended. This was one of her favorite episodes, starring Ven Somnus from Section 1 of the Zwei Association. On screen, he was currently promising to those under his guard that –
“On my pride and honor as a member of the Zwei, I will protect you until the sunrise!”
“Nooooooo! Kira, look! Even the support actors are trying to not laugh in the background.”
Kira leaned closer, staring. “Aren’t they shivering from fear?”
“Fear of horrible acting, sure.” Serena pointed at a specific person. “Look! She’s smiling and turning around so the camera won’t get her.”
Oh, she totally is…
“I…I never noticed.”
Kira had only been watching shows with Fixers. She glanced at Serena, who was still laughing uncontrollably and cringing simultaneously.
“Do you have Fixers that you like?” she asked, a pang in her heart. Serena turned her gaze over, then suddenly stopped laughing. Then she shifted over so that the two were basically connected by the hip.
“Oh, Kira. I’m just saying his acting is bad. I like the show!” Serena’s words hardly comforted her. “Listen, how about this. After this episode, we can act out the lines he said. Then you’ll see what I mean.”
“I can’t let them die! I won’t let them!” Serena yelled, voice cracking and warbly at the end.
Kira shouted, throwing her popcorn.
“Noooo! He didn’t sound like that!” She cackled, kicking out her legs. This was so much fun!
Serena threw popcorn back at her. “He totally did. Listen, listen. Play it back.”
“I can’t let them die! I wOn’T lEt ThEm!”
The two of them laughed themselves to tears.
Papa is missing out on this.
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 92 Hours
“Oh ho? We have a big shot here?” Valencina said, raising her eyebrows as she stared at me. “What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing much. Just wanted to meet each of the Nursefathers. Pay my respects, ‘ya know?” I said. Valencina barked a laugh and raised her shot glass.
“I’ll drink to that!” It went down her throat with ease, and she slammed the glass on the table. “Lucio! Get another glass for the visiting Sister!”
“At once,” the subservient Thumb’s apprentice said. He disappeared, then came back just as quickly – with a limp. “Here.”
“Thank you.” I took the cup from him and Valencina poured me the whiskey in her bottle. “Jeez, this thing looks strong.”
She smirked at me. “This shit is the real deal. Aged and it’ll hit you hard enough that you’ll forget yourself in four glasses if you let it.”
“I better watch it, then.”
Our glasses clinked, and I drank. It was extremely harsh, aggravating my throat as it slid down to my stomach. I made a hissing sound, waving at my mouth. Valencina only laughed again.
“Shit, you might be too young for this stuff. Sorry,” she said, not sounding apologetic at all.
“It’s fine,” I said after the acrid, burning feeling had passed.
Valencina leaned back. “So what’s the real deal? Why’re you here?” She looked at me. “I doubt there’s anything the Middle could do here without stirring trouble. It’d spark too much bad blood between the rest.”
I had expected this to happen. Of the Nursefathers, Valencina was probably the most intrigued about power plays and the ripples other’s actions would have.
Matthias wanted back into the Middle.
Callisto didn’t care.
Rien followed his god.
Araya wanted Ryōshū.
Valencina, former and disgraced Sottocapo of the Thumb, probably would be the only person to directly address me on this issue.
“I’ll give you the same answer I told Rien. I simply wished to see the result of the project,” I said. “The end is close, after all.”
“That’s true. Twenty years of this shit,” Valencina admitted. She took another shot. “Heard you’ve been taking that idiot’s adoptive daughter all around the Nest shopping. Why would you be doing that if you were interested in the end? Seems like a waste of time to hang around these good for nothing apprentices.”
I pushed my glass forward, and Lucio refilled it this time. I thanked him again, and he gave me a slight bow.
“I was curious how she’d come out. An adoptive daughter of the exiled Great Brother?” I said. “It was sure to be interesting.”
Valencina smirked. “Doubt she lived up to your expectations.”
I forced myself to remain neutral.
“She’s lacking in some areas, but that’s to be expected from someone as young as her,” I said. Valencina looked unconvinced.
“Hmm. Too shallow and soft. Look at my Textbook here.” She pointed to Lucio with a gloved hand. “Even with an injured eye, temple, and leg, I keep him working and training. But he doesn’t complain. He’s obedient and listens properly, like an apprentice should – although he has his many faults.”
“Hmm.”
“What. You don’t agree?” She scoffed. “You aren’t like your predecessor at all.”
I stood up.
“Good. I’d consider myself better than my predecessor.” I tapped Lucio on the shoulder. “Thanks for the pours, kid.”
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 91 Hours
“What are your impressions of my gallery reflected within your eyes?” Callisto asked.
“...I don’t get it.”
“Ah, an unsurprising outcome. Most that visit are unimpressed or uninspired. And they – ”
Well, can’t impress them all.
I eyed Albina, who was waiting beside Callisto as he continued his impassioned speech.
I knew I shouldn’t have visited these two fucks. Sorry, Albina. You’re a tragedy, but I can’t make it any lighter for you.
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 90 Hours
“My master does not wish to see you.”
I raised my eyebrows at Ren. He stared back calmly, his arms holding his sheathed blade comfortably in front of his chest.
“And why not?” I asked.
“She deems it a waste of time,” he said.
“And do you?”
“My thoughts on this matter are inconsequential. I carry to you my master’s will. It has been said. All that is left now is to ensure that her will is carried out.”
I laughed.
“Kid, be careful who you say those words to. You may be the Dihui Star’s apprentice and fairly strong, but you’re still young and an apprentice.”
He stared at me, not speaking for a few moments.
“I will take note. Your comment to better myself is…appreciated.”
I turned away.
“Alright. Tell your master to enjoy the wait.”
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 40 Hours
The next two days, I spent with Kira. Matthias came out a few times, but he never joined in. He’d ask how his girl was doing, and when Kira told him she was having fun, he’d say he was glad.
The same way one would be glad a babysitter came to handle their child so they could take a break.
So I played board games with her. And she showed me the video games that she had on hand.
We binged a few shows. I showed her some of the movies I liked.
I taught Kira how to cook a basic breakfast. The different combinations for sandwiches using meat from the grocer nearby. How to cook a steak properly.
She made two steaks well-done because she swore that a higher fire meant she’d be a cooler cook.
On the third try, she got the crust right, and the inside medium-well.
I’ll take the small improvements. At least she was willing to try, and helped clean up.
“This is so much fun,” she told me after putting away the dishes. I had to point out where each of the kitchenware went. In their own kitchen. “I didn’t know cooking was so sick.”
I reclined on the couch, patting the spot next to me. It was quickly taken by Kira, who seemed all too eager to join.
“Will I really be able to join the Middle with Papa after this?”
That piece of shit, Matthias.
I smiled at Kira, then ruffled her hair.
“We’ll see.” She smiled back. I turned away, feeling too guilty to hold her eyes. “Pull up that fighting game. I’ll stomp you this time.”
“Fuck no, you won’t! Your hands are too slow for me, Serena!”
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 24 Hours
I finally decided to visit Rien. Sora was somewhere else.
Rien stood in the middle of the room, perfectly still with his eyes on me the moment I entered.
“Did the pager tell you I was coming?” I asked. He smiled simply.
“It did,” he said. The way he spoke was kind and slow, yet so detached.
I looked around the bare room. A few bookshelves and a black couch. Sliding doors that led to other rooms.
“There is no one else here,” he said. “You may speak your mind freely.” His pager beeped once. He looked at it. “Although I may not heed it.”
I reconsidered the words I had been about to say.
“You should speak to your daughter honestly,” I finally said. “Before you die.”
His pager beeped again. He looked at it.
“Thank you for your consideration. I will think about it.”
I really wanted to grab that pager and break it.
“You should. This is coming from the Syndicate focused most on family.”
A wry smile appeared. “I’ve heard of the Middle’s recent change, originating from the Venerable Sister. In the past, the family was tight-knit and equally small, with large punishments for outsiders. But you seem to wish to expand this family and lessen punishments for all.”
I palmed my hip. “Yeah. And?”
“Nothing. It’s but a simple curiosity of mine. You have no obligation to answer.”
The fact he was even asking me something was incredible. I nodded.
“What is family to you?”
“I, too, am curious. What is a family to you?” A woman’s voice asked after him. It was sweet and smooth, like honey on a soft melody.
I froze.
“I don’t really require an answer. I had the idle curiosity of hearing yours, but, if it is too difficult, there is no need.”
“But I do want to hear your answer. What is a family to you, Serena? You’ve been taking more and more people, bringing them into your fold. Protecting them.”
I did my best to ignore her voice.
“I think family is the people you choose…and the people that choose you back.” I thought of Veronica when I first picked her up. “Even if they don’t realize it.”
Rien’s smile widened.
“I see. So family is the result of choice and reciprocation.” He chuckled with none of the feeling. “In your definition, I have never had, or will have, a family. It is most unfortunate.”
“Even if I extended my hand to you?” I said.
He stared at me.
“There is no need for you to do so. And no reason for me to accept. Force is not how a family is made.”
“Yet it made the House of Spiders.”
“That is true,” he admitted. “However, if you, an outsider, see this House and its runaway daughter as a family…then perhaps you are the one more broken than I.”
His pager beeped again.
We both paused.
Oddly, he didn’t pull it out for a moment. It beeped twice.
I frowned.
“Forget it. I’ll leave first. Keep listening to your damn Prescripts.”
“Do you want everyone in the City to be your family?”
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 10 Hours
“I’m going to sleep, Kira.”
“Just one more episode. Please?”
I glanced at the clock. 12:00 A.M.
“No,” I said. “It’s late. You should sleep, too.”
She stared at the clock. Then at the screen. Then to me.
“Okay, fine. I’ll watch by myself,” she said.
Matthias chose that moment to pop into the living room.
“Oh woah. You crashing already, Venerable Sister? Kira gonna beat you on staying awake?”
Shit timing.
Kira, who had been mollified, was now grinning at her dad.
“It's not a game.”
“But it totally could be though!” Kira said cheerfully. “Ah man, an all-nighter sounds fun!”
“Heck yeah! Live hard, have fun!”
“Don’t encourage that,” I said. Kira faltered.
“Aw, don’t be like that. It’s all fun and games,” he said.
I didn’t say anything. I just looked at the two of them.
“Your choice, Kira,” I said. She hesitated.
I turned around.
I didn’t know when Limbus Company would attack.
I just knew it was soon.
Time before Operation: Spider Pyre - 1 Hour
Rien walked to the Middle’s section of the House. He passed through the one gate and continued in, eventually finding his way to the living quarters.
“Ah, I see that one is awake. A rarity in this section.” The Venerable Sister was in the kitchen, cooking. She flipped a circular, floppy, golden seared object and threw butter into the pan.
“Good morning to you as well,” she said without turning. “Want a plate?”
Rien didn’t see the harm in accepting. The pager hadn’t told him to reject an offered meal.
“Yes, please.”
She came over with two plates and handed one over.
“Here. They’re basic pancakes since I couldn’t find any fruits,” she said, sitting down. “Why’d you come over?”
He carefully sliced through the pancakes and took a bite. It was good home cooking – the kind restaurants couldn’t replicate.
“A question formed within the fathoms of my mind,” Rien said. “You spoke to me as if the flow of the future was known.”
“I don’t see that,” she said. A truth.
“Or as if you had precognition.”
“Or that,” she said. A minor lie. Rien tilted his head.
Ah. So he would die today, at the hands of his daughter? A fitting end for him, he supposed.
He finished the rest of his plate in silence. Then, he stood.
“I’ve given your suggestion some thought.”
Serena looked at him.
He gave her the smallest, genuine smile.
Dante had prepared as long as they could. They’d trained their new abilities as rigorously as they could. It still felt like they were multitasking far beyond what a normal person should be capable of, but there was simply no time left to waste.
The longer they dallied, the more time their enemies would have to recover.
But even Vergilius and The Yellow Harpoon, the two Colors in this mission, were stating additional caution as a necessity.
The knowledge that the highest power of the Middle had joined the House of Spiders had placed a giant wrench in the plans. Not even Moses or Outis knew how to approach the situation fully.
Somehow, it was Heathcliff that spoke to them. He suddenly donned a new Identity without Dante’s prompting. He was shirtless, with only a purple jacket open wide displaying his many tattoos.
Dante checked the ID.
Big Brother Heathcliff of the Middle.
“Just go,” he had said, suddenly. “Serena won’t do nothin’ if nothin’ is done to her.”
Outis stepped forward.
“How are you certain? None of the other Middle identities would agree. They’ve all said she’s bloodthirsty and a practitioner of wanton savagery.”
“Ay, maybe their Mirror Worlds,” he admitted. “But that ain’t mine. She ain’t like that here.”
Dante looked at this Heathcliff. It was the most content, and calm Identity they had seen. There was still the hint of sadness and regret, but it looked like the lightest of weights.
“You’re certain?” Dante asked after there was a silence. Moses continued puffing on her smoke, content to listen in.
“No doubt ‘bout it.” The Heathcliff of the Middle grinned. “If she wanted somethin’, she wouldn’t ‘ave waited. If ya want to be certain ‘bout it, ask the big Sis how many she done written into that Book ‘o hers and killed.”
And just as suddenly, the smiling Heathcliff disappeared, and a confused Heathcliff in base form replaced him.
“What is it? Why’s everyone staring at me like that?”
Dante simply placed a hand on the man’s shoulder.
“You did good,” Dante said.
“‘Oy, Clockhead. That ain’t answerin’ the question!”
Dante didn’t react. The rest of the room seemed to focus.
The portal opened, and Ryōshū’s lost gaze sharpened to steel.
“We’re going in. Now!” Dante commanded.
Operation: Spider Pyre - Start
It was starting.
The hairs on my arms rose. Something in the air felt different than it had the past five days.
Matthias and Kira had just woken up. The girl had dark circles beneath her eyes. I held in the urge to speak up, especially after the girl saw me and hesitated.
“Were you two expecting guests?” I asked.
“Not today,” Matthias said. “You were the first unexpected guest in years.”
“Well,” I said, watching as a rift in the space in front of us started widening. Six people stepped through. “Looks like I’ve started a trend.”
Kira grinned.
“Oh! It’s you guys again! Free Vengeance tattoos for me.”
Matthias sighed, lifting his sunglasses.
“I was hoping to not run into you clowns again. But you’ve made a mistake. See this,” he said, gesturing to me. The rest of the room’s gaze followed. “She’s the Venerable Sister of the Middle. Even with that bumblebee fella on your side and the numbers advantage, you guys would still be fucked.”
The members of the L.C.D. watched me warily. The three from the Bus gripped their weapons, eyeing me with mild fear.
Even Don Quixote, who seemed to already be itching for her shoes.
I leaned against a shelf full of toys.
“I thought I told you that this was your mission to prove yourself,” I said to Matthias. “I’m not taking part in this.”
Matthias fully turned to me.
“What do you mean, Venerable Sister? You’re leaving your family out to dry?”
“No. But I told you I simply came for the results. What you want and what I want aren’t the same.”
“Is that so? So you can cut ties with family as well, just like that?”
“Shit.” Matthias turned to the six assailants. “Guess I’ll really be fighting with my life on the line.”
“Oh sick! Papa’s gonna use his sword?” Kira showed teeth with her smile. “Guess I’ll try some moves Papa showed off at the lab.”
The two groups spoke for a bit. Moses continued to eye me the entire time.
"How many names have you killed, once written in your Book in the last year?" Moses asked.
"Two," I said. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow.
She nodded.
The members of Limbus Company all slid into their stance, prepped for combat.
They said a few more words.
Even with my presence, it seemed that things would happen as they were meant to be.
“‘Cuz that’s family. A little sacrifice ain’t a thing if it’s for one of us.” Matthias said.
That voice came again. Soft. Persistent. Utterly intrusive and unwanted.
“Is sacrifice how you see family?”
I exhaled.
Not his kind of sacrifice, and not his idea of little.
Unease settled over Ezra the moment the fight began – no, even before – and it all stemmed from the Venerable Sister that was watching from the side. Even though the Team Leader had said nothing about her, Ezra couldn’t help but worry.
The Middle apprentice kicked Yi Sang in the face after a quick clash. A crunch echoed upon impact. Then, she slid and flipped – throwing her whole body weight into a flashy strike at Ezra.
It was far too obvious. That was the main problem with flashy moves.
Ezra blocked the kick easily and powered up the right hand gauntlet. Then she struck.
“Ah, ah, ah.” Kira jumped away. A bare hand stopped her fist before it could reach her mark. The Venerable Sister was suddenly in front of Ezra. Her purple eyes stared into Ezra. “Let’s not do that, shall we?”
She’s fast!
Ezra hadn’t seen the Venerable Sister move into view. There was no blur or afterimage, either.
The unease deepened.
“Switch all focus to Matthias, L.C.D.” Moses ordered. “Guard against the apprentice. Do not attack her with your weapons.”
Vespa grunted once, affirming he’d heard.
“Yes, Team Leader!” Ezra shouted.
“L.C.B., you’ll have to handle her on your own.”
The ex-Great Brother rushed forward at Moses. Ezra and Vespa both moved to block his path.
“Y’all are yapping a ton during the middle of a fight! This is ‘posed to be an all-out battle!”
His sword clanged sharply against Vespa’s harpoon. Ezra stepped in, using her weapons to strike at Matthias.
It struck true.
And in the corner of her eye –
The Venerable Sister was already leaning back against the shelf, watching.
Moses could see the flow of the fight. The moment it became clear the Venerable Sister would only intervene to protect the apprentice, the flow shifted.
Matthias was slowly getting pressed in from every angle, as the group of five attackers took a reckless attack pattern – almost completely ignoring the girl.
Desperation was beginning to show on the man’s face. He would lose.
“Papa needs some help here, Kira!” he shouted, clearly able to read the situation. Moses saw the girl, who had been increasing in fervor as the battle progressed to get their attention on her, smile at her father’s command. Then she disappeared from view.
“Can you locate her?” Moses asked.
“Her presence disappeared when she put on whatever gear she is wearing now,” Vespa said.
“Using environmental obstacles to hold enemies down…” Kira’s voice didn’t register from any location. “Sure looked badass!”
Don Quixote shouted suddenly.
“Ah – fie! Above thee, distinguished Color! Look above thee!”
A clang of blades erupted, as Vespa blocked Kira who suddenly reappeared on pure instinct.
“Got ‘im! Papa, now!”
Heat flooded the area. The Relic, source of the flames, glowed bright with orange and red as the fire licked relentlessly at anything in its reach.
“Good girl. Thank you for your sacrifice for the family.”
Something pulsed.
Moses immediately looked to the right – the Venerable Sister was no longer against her shelf.
She’s not distorting but…
The flames grew closer as Matthias came towards the pair locked in blades.
“Heh, too easy. You’ll be – huh?” The small girl only now seemed to recognize the immediate threat rapidly approaching her way faster than a bullet. But it was far too late for her. Vespa would survive, Moses was certain.
But that girl…
Serena was behind Kira in the next blink. The sword of flames cut horizontally and –
A hand caught the wrist, just barely. The flames exploded just off target.
The Venerable Sister moved once more.
The Relic clattered to the ground. The arm fell with it.
“That isn’t family at all,” Moses heard her whisper.
The fighting stopped immediately.
Matthias stood in front of the Venerable Sister, armless.
“Heh. Guess I won’t be rejoining the Middle.”
“Serena…why did Papa…”
“Team Leader…” Ezra said.
Moses shook her head. “She’s not distorting.”
“That could be even more concerning,” Vespa said.
The Venerable Sister’s tattoos started glowing all at once, shining a bright purple and luminescent white.
“Matthias…” she said through gritted teeth. “I sentence you to death.”
Matthias said nothing.
“Ah…” Kira dropped her blades, but no one attacked her. Everyone’s focus was on the Venerable Sister.
Silence. No one moved. Then –
“Would you just shut up…” Serena said to the air.
Moses narrowed her eyes.
The pressure that had been weighing down on everyone vanished. Serena stepped aside and pointed to Vespa.
“I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. He’s yours.”
Vespa paused. Then sighed. He disappeared, reappearing behind Matthias as the man’s head split vertically in two.
“Papa,” Kira said, looking on with dead eyes at the still standing body of her adoptive father. “Why…why did you try to hurt me?”
Moses shut her eyes for a moment.
Betrayal was a concept all too common in the City.
It was something that never got easier to stomach.
She opened her eyes to look at the Venerable Sister. “The Middle won’t interfere further. Am I correct?”
The woman glanced at her and nodded.
“You’re correct.”
Moses sighed.
She hadn’t used Crimson Point, and they hadn’t used a single K-Corp Ampule. Yi Sang was bleeding profusely, but he’d make it to Dante to turn back the clock.
“Let’s move.”
They left the two living Middle members in the room.
“Kira.” A voice called her name. Kira blinked. “Kira, look at me.”
Why would she do that? That voice ordered the death of her Papa.
The woman entered her vision. Kira looked away.
There was a huff of air. Kira glanced up, then over the shape to look at her dead Papa.
His brain was split in half. There was no bringing him back, even with one of those super expensive K-Corp Ampules.
He was gone.
And she had done nothing.
Why?
Even if she had been in the middle of his attack – she didn’t understand why her Papa would do that – why hadn’t she tried to protect him when he was sentenced to death?
“Kira.” The voice sounded different. More authoritative. She didn’t look, but her back straightened instinctively.
It felt the same as when her Papa was disappointed in her – when he beat her into the ground during training.
“You’ll be joining me in the Middle, immediately.”
Kira didn’t say a word.
She just nodded, then followed.
“Daughter. Please stay with me in the House of Spiders,” Rien said.
Ryōshū hesitated. That was the first real plea she’d ever heard from the man she’d once seen as her father.
She fought her emotions down.
“I cannot.”
He sighed.
His pager beeped.
He looked at it, then smiled softly.
“I see. I suppose…she was right.” He looked only at her, ignoring every other Sinner in the room. “Know that I do this only out of love.”
Ryōshū’s heart twisted painfully.
Rien collapsed onto the floor, blood running from his face and his chest.
The Index Proxies floated in the sewer. Dead.
He coughed. Blood spilled out of his mouth.
The pain was excruciating. Not unbearable.
He’d dealt with worse.
“Ah, found you.”
He looked up. The Venerable Sister stood at the front of the alley. Kira stood beside her. They approached.
“It appears another has joined your fold,” he said. The girl looked to be in shock. He’d seen those eyes before in his beloved daughter. “Perhaps you will be a better parent than I was.”
The Sister frowned, then knelt down.
“I took a K-Corp Ampule from one of the Sinners.” She held the ampule out to him. “I’m giving you the choice, Rien.”
Rien stared at it.
His pager beeped again. He pulled it out –
She took it. Crushed it. Threw it into the water.
“Don’t look at that,” she said softly. “Look at me. Make your choice. If it's the last one you make, it should be yours alone.”
He glanced at Kira. The girl didn’t look to be there by choice.
He looked at the ampule.
Rien shut his eyes, then closed the Sister’s hand around the ampule.
“I am tired, Sister.”
“...I see.” The woman’s voice was weak. Unsteady. “Today, a Star of the City will fall.”
He nodded.
“If you would make it painless,” he said as a final request.
“I will.”
He was certain.
He opened his eyes.
She was crying. Tears ran down her face as she pulled her fist back, tattoos glowing.
“Rien. For being too weak to choose life, I write your name into the Book of Vengeance. Punishment: immediate and assured death.”
He glanced once more at Kira.
“Parenthood is ever the strife-filled struggle. Do your best,” he said.
Serena’s eyes closed. She nodded once.
“Goodbye, Rien.”
Goodbye, daughter.
“Why?” Kira’s voice shook. Serena turned to her. “Why does he deserve a choice, but Papa dies by your order?”
Kira glared at Rien’s peaceful face. The hole where his heart had been punched clean through. Her emotions sharpened into hate.
“Why did he die in peace? It isn’t fair!” Kira yelled. “Why? And – and you even killed him yourself! You didn’t even kill Papa!”
Serena didn’t respond.
“Papa wasn’t that bad! And if he was, Rien was worse! He’s the one that built and led the House of Spiders. He doesn’t deserve this!”
Tears blurred her vision. She wiped them away. More came.
“Why?!” Kira screamed.
She hated the world.
She hated everything.
She hated herself – for letting her Papa die.
“Give me the choice, too! I want to choose!” she yelled at Serena.
“No.”
“What? Why can’t I choose? I want to die! Let me die!”
“No.” Warm arms closed around her head. She punched at Serena’s ribs. Serena grunted, but didn’t budge or let go.
“Why does nobody ever want me?!”
“Kira.”
Kira kept punching.
“I hate you!”
“...That’s fine. You can hate me.”
Serena didn’t let her go.
Kira wrapped her arms around Serena’s waist. Then she broke.
Epilogue.
"You and I aren't so different. I want everyone to have a choice, too. To be their truest selves."
"I want nothing to do with you. And I don't want an EGO. Leave me alone."
"That's unfortunate. I did enjoy your company."
"The feeling is very much not mutual."
"I'll let you in on a secret. There seems to be a misconception that rejecting me causes someone to manifest their EGO. That isn't true." I frowned. "One simply needs to be completely certain of who they are, and the EGO will manifest itself."
"..."
"I was simply interested in you. You've had an EGO for quite some time, Serena."
"Leave."
The voice laughed. Then the presence finally disappeared.
I sat alone in my room for a long minute.
"Fuck."