FOOLS DEAL IN GOLD:

  Within Obsidian ship, it’s quiet. The silver interior shines as bright as new. Purple rugs line the floor, and streaks of purple add color to the walls.

  Obsidian appears in the middle of the lounge, carrying Midas over his shoulder. He grabs him by the leg and holds him upside down, letting him dangle. He shakes him up and down, trying to see if he'd wake up. Obsidian shrugs and tosses Midas on the couch and heads to the cockpit.

  He takes a seat in his captains chair and boots up the console. He then sets up a call.

  Obsidian: “Is this Dominous.”

  Dominous: “Oh, hey! If it isn’t the home invader, I was beginning to think you weren’t real. How ya doing.” He says with a new fervor, letting his real accent out.

  Obsidian: “I have your money. Where should we rendezvous.”

  Dominous: “well I’ll be damned, it hasn’t even been a full day; you’re a beast. Me and my boys were just about to leave the planet. Meet us at Silvertown port. You can drop it off in person.”

  Obsidian: “Copy that.”

  Obsidian cuts off the call and turns off his console. He checks on Midas, the boy seem to be having a rough sleep, holding himself tightly while grimacing. Obsidian makes an annoyed frown. Obsidian teleports a heavy cover over Midas, which seemed to calm him down a bit. Obsidian teleports away.

  Obsidian arrives at the entrance to the port, past the massive parking lot, and gates. He teleports a chair and takes a seat by the entrance opening. The sun begins to set, washing a bright, warm light over Obsidian’s face. He watches cars come in single files through the toll gate, one at a time. It’s quiet. Annoyingly so, Obsidian pulls out his phone to pass the time.

  About 20 minutes later, a black car pulls up to the toll. After the car passes, the toll gate lets through an entourage filled with armored black vehicles. The entourage line up in front of the entrance and a group of all black and dark blue mobsters exit their vehicles. They all line up as their boss is the last to exit their car. The boss walks up to the port where Obsidian is sitting by the entrance.

  The boss of the Blind Kings sports a blue rose patterned button up and a black vine patterned vest, with a long black coat over his shoulders. On opposite sides, he has one pant leg rolled up, and his left sleeve rolled up. He wears a glove on his left and rings and a bracelet on his right hand. Lastly, he sports an eye patch with a crown on it and a fancy hat.

  “I know that silhouette. Obsidian Praw! Nice to see you in the light.” Dominous greets Obsidian.

  “Same to you.” Obsidian responds. “You look as shit as the first time I saw you.”

  “Sheesh you’re a rude fella. Sure I might not sleep as much as I should but I think I’m still pretty handsome, if I do say so myself.” Dominous jokes

  “Hmm.” Obsidian grunts

  “Anyway, follow me, Let’s talk in the hanger.”

  Everyone follows behind Dominous as they make their way inside the port. The group walks down to the hanger passing through reception like VIPs, and entering their special hanger. The hanger is large and imposing, with an even more intimidating ship, rectangular and sturdy in build, covered in decals, and sporting a primarily dark blue shell. The ramp of their ship comes down, and Dominous waltz up and stands above.

  “So where my money friend, I can see your empty handed, got another trick for me?” Dominous asks

  Like requested, Obsidian pulls out a briefcase from behind his coat.

  “You a magician! You pull that out of your ass?!” Dominous lets out a hearty laugh and motions for one of his men

  Obsidian raises an eyebrow, and is taken aback by the comment. He hands over the briefcase to Dominous’ subordinate, who collects the briefcase and opens it.

  “Boss. He put in a little extra.” Says the subordinate

  “Oh really?” Dominous peek over

  “Ooooh, you put in an extra 1mill.”

  Dominous says, surprised

  “For the information.” Obsidian explains

  Dominous smirks and nods. “I think we’ll get along just fine.” Dominous waves his subordinate away.

  Obsidian and Dominous shake hands

  Dominous walks up the ramp.

  “Oh! One more thing. If you ever find yourself in Greatsmolder, give us a call. Might have a job for you.” He invites.

  The Blinds kings ship lights up its engine and begins its ascent. They take off into the sky, and vanish from sight.

  Deep, deep below ground, we find ourselves in the decimated wreckage of the Wildgame base. The walls are riddled with bullet holes, burn marks and dents. Wires spark and crack as there exposed, rubble makes loud bangs as the fall to the floor. Blood drips from the ceiling as bodies hang, and the hallways run a river of blood.

  All of the remaining survivors all meet up in the remains of the destroyed command center, the massive main monitor shattered, bluescreened and sparking in pain.

  “Is this everyone!” A soldier yells out.

  Rows of bodies covered in white sheets lay on the floors. The remaining soldiers are mostly medics and laborers, only three men carry weapons. The mood is hopeless, as soldiers attempt to console one another, but they too are suffering.

  “Sorry, old buddy, seems like I’m the only one going home.” An officer, wrapped head to toe in bandages, lays a sheet over his partner, putting him to rest.

  “What’s the head count.” An intelligence officer requests

  “Here’s the report. Out of the 1368 soldiers stationed here. Only 20 of us are confirmed alive, and 10 are missing.”

  “One man did all of this… We’re ruined!” The soldier throws a table across the room, making a loud crash.

  “What now, who will lead us?” A medic hopelessly asks

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Who here is the highest rank?!” An engineer yells out

  The survivors form a crowd in the center of the room, looking at one another, writing down notes and asking anything that might help.

  “How about Kline?” A soldier recommends

  Everyone turns to Kline, sitting in the corner, snacking on some rations, his eyes dry. His dark, crusted eyes widen suddenly.

  “Huh?! Wait why me, I’m no leader!” He stands up.

  “Maybe not, but you’re the highest ranking soldier here.” Calmly states an officer.

  “Yeah! He’s also the strongest here.”

  Another agrees

  “We can’t have Kline lead us, he’s lazy and incompetent, he’d get the rest of us killed.” A heated argument brews in the crowd, as they discuss other possible candidates

  Kline looks on in anxiety, watching everyone devolve into uncivilized yelling. Kline holds his head and squeezes his eyes shut. He’s reminded of the screams of his comrades. He remembers the horrifying presence of the man in black, how he could barely stand. He stared down the barrel of the demon, and the only reason he lives now, is due to the sacrifice of his captain pushing him out of the way. He watched as his captain held his guts as they spewed out, and then his head be crushed under boot.

  “Wait! Everyone I can’t lead any of you. I’m the useless one. I’d only get in everyone’s way.” Kline yells out.

  “But we don’t have anyone else qualified Kline! It’s gotta be you!” An engineer yells out

  “It doesn’t matter what the rest lf us want, or who else might be better Because in the end, we’re all the bottom of the barrel!!”

  Everyone looks at each other, they all nod in solemn regret. They all look to Kline.

  “C’mon, Kline by due process, you’re a newly promoted captain. So what do you say.”

  Kline looks at everyone, conflicted on every end. He scratches his neck and rubs it unsure of everything.

  “Alright, let me see what I can do.” Kline resigns

  The remaining soldiers cheer for the new captain. Kline wipes his face, he never wanted any of this. He closes his eyes and sighs heavy. He curses that black demon.

  In a purple flash, Obsidian teleports back to the Deadspear. He heads to his bathroom and takes a dose of his medication. He walks into the lounge and finds Midas snoring. He takes a seat and turns on the tv, laying his heavy coat on the table and putting his feet up. Obsidian starts to cough again, he coughs and coughs, hacking up blood. But its nothing new.

  The coughing seems to startle young Midas, waking him up. He groans as he tries to tuck himself in more.

  “Are you okay Mister.” Midas says groggy

  “I’m doing fine.” Obsidian responds

  “Very well.” Midas says trying to go back to sleep

  “You’re tearing up my couch with all that tossing. What’s your condition?” Asks Obsidian

  “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” Midas says quietly

  “Don’t patronize me, I can see your stressing. Tell me so you can sit still; that’s a high quality couch you’re ****ing up.”

  Midas sits upright, still wrapped like a burrito. He’s got a very solemn and regretful look in his eyes.

  “I can still see them so clearly. Mother, father. I can see them before me, happy as day. But they suffer, burning in wrathful fire, their flesh melting to bone. And there’s nothing I can do. I want to reach out but no matter how much I do… they won’t come back. And then, there’s blood on my hands; not once did I ever believe I would… kill someone. My parents must be cursing me from the beyond, persecuting for I have failed them. What do I do mister, what CAN I do.” Midas starts to break down in quiet tears staring at the ceiling trying to hold them back.

  Obsidian side eyes the poor boy. He rolls his head, seemingly contemplating something. He makes a disgusted face.

  “The hell you crying for, you just got the revenge you begged for?” Obsidian says harshly

  “What? But… you’re right, I don’t have the privilege to feel sorry for myself. I wanted this.”

  “You act like a taking a few lives means anything, you’re parents wouldn’t give a shit or two.” Obsidian speaks in dry uncaring tone.

  Midas takes an offended expression.

  “Death isn’t something that meaningless. Its irreversible, I SEPERATED two men from the families, their loved ones, anyone that may miss them. I committed a grave sin; my father taught me that violence should always be the last resort. And yet I took it and it was the first thing that came to my mind. I ignored my fathers teaching because I let my rage control me.” Midas puts a hand on his heart.

  “Dramatic. You got the wrong idea; you think those men had value. That their deaths mattered. Obviously not if they died to a child. You saved your own ass, which means your story isn’t over. You should be prideful, ecstatic. You were superior to those men, your story will be worth more than theirs ever will be.” Obsidian says in a cold and malicious tone.

  “How can you believe such a thing. I’d never believe myself more valuable than another, we all were born in the same realm.” Midas says passionately

  “Impressive, little rich boy think he can humble. You were born with one hell of a head start, and you think you’re not worth than the common man.” Obsidian mocks

  “Yes! My birth has nothing to with my worth as a man. The value of a person is determined by good merit alone. One can only be considered a man if they’ve made a mark on the world for the better!” Midas stands on the couch.

  Obsidian lightly jabs Midas on the gut making him sit back down.

  “Then that must mean I’m worth nothing at all. But if that’s true I don’t give two shits. Because that just means everyone I kill is worth less than jack-shit. And that’s pretty amusing.” Obsidian sinisterly chuckles.

  Midas reels his head back, staring confused and disgusted at Obsidian

  “What?! No that’s not what I'm saying at all!” Midas says wildly befuddled

  “Don’t back down now. It’s the one thing I like about you. A smartass little brat, with a strong foundation of belief. If you think I'm lesser than trash then keeping thinking that way. Because someone like me revels in the fact.”

  The disgusted leaves Midas' face, he tilts his head in even more confusion and concern.

  “If you don’t think killing is good, than keep telling me why. Because I’ll have fun telling you how much I love doing it. And we can keep going back and forth, on and on.” Obsidian stands up and begins walking off. “Of course I’ve got a call to make. Soon I’ll get rid of you, keep that in mind if you got anything else to say.” Obsidian walks into the corridor to the cockpit, but before he does he look back.

  “Oh, you want anything before we leave here for good?”

  Midas looks at Obsidian so horrified, confused, and anything else to describe what he’s feeling. He puts his hands to face and groans loudly. He wipes his face, and his expression is now exhausted and done. He sighs heavily

  “Messiah save me. There are a few thing I want to take with me. Can we stop by to my home.” Midas asks in a dry tone.

  Obsidian smiles his creepy smile and heads to the cockpit.

  Obsidian and Midas appear inside the Dorado’s mansion one more time. Midas walks off into the dark hall way. The mansion seems to be mostly empty, Obsidian can tell there are still people inside, but the family floor is vacant.

  Midas walks to his room, the door is locked. He looks down both ways of the hall. He then grabs on to the handle, and puts all his strength into breaking the door knob. With a metallic snap the door knob comes off and Midas trips. He gets up slowly trying to be stealthy; although he looks like a plum fool doing so.

  He opens the door and walks inside. It’s dark, the lights turned off. He flicks on the light switch and room lights up shining bright with yellow walls and his many decorations: posters, action figures, etc. On his bed is a bouquet of flowers; his servants must think he’s dead. He picks up the flowers, still fresh, and lively. A reminder of the life he must leave behind.”

  He takes one last look around the room. He spots what he was looking for. A family picture of him and his parents. He puts the flowers back and collects the frame. Before he walks out he spots the plush of his father, the same one Obsidian won at the amusement park. He pockets the frame and picks up the plush. The plush has a confident and motivating smile. Water droplets fall on the plush. Midas’ tears wet the plushie’s face, as he cries with a weak smile on his face. He hugs the plush tightly.

  We find Obsidian carrying out a box from the kitchen pantry. He walks back in and carries out multiple cases of alcohol and wine. He takes out a wine bottle and downs half the bottle. He sticks his tongue out in disgust. He stares at the bottle, then shrugs and downs the rest.

  “Are you seriously raiding my kitchen.” Midas says with an annoyed tone.

  “Sup kid, you look well.” Obsidian says sarcastically

  “Really.” Midas responds in droll tone.

  “I’m taking food and drinks, I don’t get many opportunities to go grocery lifting.” Obsidian says snapping his fingers and bringing out the well packaged meat in the fridge.

  “Don’t you mean grocery shopping?” Midas asks

  Obsidian looks at Midas with an obvious smirk.

  “Of course, a great criminal you are.” Midas says exhausted

  “Your parents had terrible taste, all they have is sweet ass wine, where’s the strong shit.” He throws the bottle away and teleports his spoils away.

  “My parents enjoyed the finer things, they had no taste for bottom barrel booze.” Midas says confidently

  “Whatever, get what you come for.” Obsidian asks, pointing to the things Midas’ is carrying.

  He holds his fathers plush, but also a briefcase.

  “Yes, I am ready to leave now.” Midas sighs

  They teleport away.

  There’s a lot of foot traffic in the civilian port. The Deadspear finally takes off leaving the planet Umbra.