Chapter 241 – Floor 43: Part 1

  Floor 43: An ‘A’ Class Hero.

  Objective: Having obtained the Rank of Class ‘A’ in the Hero Association, it is time for you to take steps toward uniting this world behind Unyielding Declaration. The League of Villains have been subverted by Mischievous Depravity.

  Take whatever actions necessary to stop their interference.

  The dimly lit room reeked of chaos and frustration; it was a den of tension and disarray. A shattered chandelier dangled precariously from the ceiling, its once-elegant crystals scattered across the floor like discarded trash. The long mahogany table, the usual meeting place of the high-ranked members of the League of Villains, bore fresh gashes in the wood.

  The surface of the table was littered with crumpled papers, unwanted files and stacks of cash that had been flung carelessly.

  A furious argument echoed throughout the room, rising above the hum of statice from a smash television screen that half hung from a wall. The screen, now cracked and flickering, displayed distorted images of a speech given by the League of Heroes regarding the defeat of the Demonic Mercy.

  Villains stood in clusters around the room; some were pacing furiously while others brooded in the corners, their expressions twisted with anger, confusion, despair and fear.

  One villain with a cybernetic arm slammed it into the wall, leaving a hole in the concrete interior.

  “What are we to do now!?” Her snarled his voice a mixture of fury and disbelief. Another, cloaked in shadows, lounged in a chair tipped onto its back legs. Shade was whispering to himself but everyone ignored his mutterings.

  The smell of acrid smoke hung in the air, the burnt remnants of a piece of furniture to only evidence of a disagreement between two parties. A snake-like villain coiled and uncoiled anxiously, their forked tongue flickering out periodically to taste the air.

  Nearby, a fire-wielding Villain nervously sparked flames from her fingertips, the glow embers catching the reflective glare of an imposing Ironclad dressed in armour who stood silently against the wall, arms crossed as flickers of information flowed across his visor.

  On the far side of the room, Titaness sat brooding on a throne of shattered and mangled chairs, her once imposing figure now slouched with exhaustion. Her fingers drummed against a piece of wood that had been an armrest as she half-listened to the cacophony around her.

  Before things could get any more out of hand, Obsidian entered the room while flanked by Dr. Malevolence, Lady Vortex, Ghost and the Puppeteer. The crowd instantly silenced as Obsidian eyes roamed across the destruction that had been caused.

  Rather than saying anything, the ‘S’ Class Villain took her place at the head of the table as Lady Vortex waved her hand to transfer a new chair from another location in the manor to the head of the table.

  Taking her actions as their cue, the other ‘A’ Class Villains joined her around the table while the lower Ranked Villains stood in a large circle around them.

  “I understand you are all…distressed, by recent events. But things have not changed. We are still united in our goal, regardless of certain…developments.” Obsidian addressed those gathered. There was a momentarily outburst of whispers that were quickly silenced at a glance from Titaness.

  “I want to know what the hell happened. Who was that crazy chick, and how did she transform herself into a bloody demon from the depths of Hades!?” Shade bellowed, the shadows around him flickering and growing larger as the Villain lost control of his emotions.

  Shade’s outburst sent a ripple of unease through the room as the shadows around him surged, casting jagged, flickering patterns across the walls. Several lower-ranked Villains shifted uneasily, inching back as if the darkness itself might lash out at them.

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  “Her abilities were anomalous. I have never encountered anything like them before.” Ironclad said, his gleaming armour catching the dim light.

  A low, raspy chuckle came from The Puppeteer, who sat near the center of the table with his long, gloved fingers tapping a rhythmic pattern on the wood. His sharp features were twisted into a delighted grin.

  “Forget about her; I’m more interested in that new ‘A’ Class Hero who stopped her. He tore open the sky and rained fire down on Mercy. He would make a very fascinating Puppet.” He said, his voice laced with malice. The glint in his eyes grew predatory as his fingers twitched, as though he was already tugging at invisible strings.

  There was a stir in the room at the mention of this relatively unknown Hero. Lady Vortex arched a single eyebrow, her bright red lips curling into a smile. Titaness folded her massive arms; the table creaked ominously beneath her weight as she leaned forward, silently watching.

  “Mathew Larson. I have been unable to find any information regarding his background. Aside from his sudden entrance into the League of Heroes several weeks ago, there is nothing else about him. It’s as if he appeared out of thin air.”

  The quiet voice of Ghost carried an eerie weight as she rested in her chair, almost hovering above the fabric. Her pale form seemed to flicker in and out of existence, and a translucent cloak trailed behind her like mist.

  She rested her hands on the table; her usual indifferent face betrayed a flicker of frustration. That admission hung heavy in the air. Ghost’s investigations were thorough and very few things could evade her inquiries.

  “Thin air? People don’t just appear, Ghost.” Shade’s voice was filled with disbelief, his rage having cooled slightly.

  “It doesn’t matter what he is. No one is untouchable, no matter how powerful, and no anomaly is without explanation. Mercy may be gone, but we still have the backing of our Patron. Her failure is not ours.” Obsidian interjected, her calm and authoritative voice cut through the rising tension. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the table.

  The room fell silent as the assembled Villains absorbed her words. It was only broken by a man’s voice from the far end of the room.

  “Well said! Although I don’t think Mischievous Depravity will quite see it the same way. It’s been my experience that the gods are not the most understanding sort.”

  Obsidian and the others whipped their heads around to look at the newcomer. Mathew strolled through the open doors, appearing casual in his white shirt, black jacket and blue jeans. He had his arms slightly open with his palms out in a show of good intentions.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not here to fight.”

  The air in the room shifted violently as Titaness shot to her feet, her massive frame towering over the table. She was on the verge of unleashing her fury at the intruder. Her chair crashed to the floor with a loud crack; splinters skittered across the polished floorboards. Her eyes burned with unrestrained rage as she pointed a finger toward the trespasser.

  “You!” Titaness snarled, her voice rumbling deeply in her chest like an earthquake.

  Several of the other Villains reacted instantly, rising from their seats with firsts clenched or weapons drawn. The room was filled with hostility. Shadows writhed, energy crackled, and deadly tension surrounded everyone as a confrontation neared.

  A voice cut through the chaos like a whip before anyone could react.

  “Enough! Sit down!” Obsidian commanded her words carrying an almost supernatural weight. The force of her tone halted everyone in their tracks, compelling compliance from them with her iron will.

  Slowly, one by one, the Villains paused before retaking their seats or backing away. Titaness hesitated for a fraction of a second, her fists clenched, but she knew she wasn’t strong enough to defy Obsidian.

  With an angry huff, she turned and righted her chair before finding it was broken beyond repair. Tossing the scraps aside, she sat down on the floor, her height and size making her eye level with the rest of the seated Villains around her.

  Only when the room was silent did Obsidian turn her gaze toward Mathew. Her expression was cold and unreadable as she watched the Hero carefully.

  “Mr. Larson. You are either extremely brave or tremendously reckless to enter the lion’s den alone.” She said evenly, her voice calm and hard. Mathew’s response was a shrug and a quick shake of his head.

  “Neither. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I don’t really have much to fear from any of you. No offence, but none of you are on Mercy’s level. With her banished from this world, there isn’t much you can do to me.” Mathew replied.

  “Arrogant pissant!” Titaness growled, and even the normally calm Class ‘A’ Villains showed signs of anger at the statement.

  “Get angry all you want; it doesn’t change the facts. Even Obsidian’s ability to seal things away in those stone pillars of hers won’t save you. Not if I choose to get serious.” Mathew said, and his face hardened for a moment.

  “But I’m not here to fight. I’m here to talk.” Mathew finished, his features smoothing out once again.

  “Regarding what?” Obsidian asked.

  “Your Patron, Mischievous Depravity.”