27 | manipulate; exploiting a fool

"Are you ready?"

Lucas crossed his arms from under the low bride off the side of the city, abandoned and overgrown with moss that twisted between the crumbling rock.

According to Elliot, the Spade King was known to frequent this area, away from the dangers of Stories and battles, while keeping an eye out for other weak people like himself who would fall for his lies.

Nora's clothes had been shredded, rolled in dirt and falling to pieces as if she'd just escaped a deadly battle.

Her wounds from the previous story had yet to close, and by her own initiative, she had pulled at the bandages, allowing the fresh blood to steep and paint her a sorry figure.

Rome had a similar appearance, choosing to wake up early in the morning—much to Elliot's surprise when he woke to use the bathroom to find a child sitting on the couch and staring—so that the skin under his large eyes were sunken and dark, weary.

The blistering bruises on his body covered him in ugly shades of purple and blue, while he purposely tangled his hair.

To an outsider's view, the pair seemed like a distraught combination that had only barely survived the Stories. On the verge of collapse.

Nora smiled lightly, ruffling Rome's soft locks. The boy perked his head slightly, moving closer. "Ready's all we can be. If I can do something for Wren, then I think it'll be worth it."

"Wren?" Lucas blinked, slightly confused. "Why?"

"We'll be companions from now on, right? I'm not risking my life doing this, so I hope she can find some justice in revenge—even if I don't know what happened to her."

"You're kind, Nora."

Her gaze softened. "I'm only being human. And I'd like to keep being one, in a time where it being one isn't easy anymore."

Lucas nodded slowly, before glancing at the message from his phone. A warning from Elias, positioned somewhere within the old buildings, or the faraway trees, that the Spade King had begun his stroll.

"He's going to arrive soon."

Nora and Rome glanced at each other, before nodding at Lucas and running out into the open. They tripped and stumbled, hobbling over to the shade under the bridge and collapsing to the ground.

The skies were still dark, barely lit from the dim street lights that were few along the roads.

Lucas fell back, melting into the shadows that lapped at his feet, swallowing him whole. He watched cautiously, ready to make a move if they were in danger.

The first part of the plan only required Nora and Rome to sneak into the Spade King's hideout, pretending to be manipulated. The second part would require Lucas to act as well, though that would wait for the next day.

Although time wasn't on their side, they couldn't rush it too much.

He felt the drumming rush, the hatred burning in Wren's bone cloud over his mind as he waited, the whistling air settling over them all.

Then he saw the flicker of white light in the distance.

Crunch.

A text from Elias: [He's here.]

Wren's anger threatened to overflow, trembling with a vicious snarl as the figure approached in the distance.

Bleached white hair, and gentle eyes that seemed to understand and see everything. A relaxed, welcoming smile.

August, the Spade King.

"Are you alright?" He offered out a hand tentatively to Nora, who glanced cautiously at him.

Lucas really had to praise her, she was completely immersed in the act. The anger in her eyes was real, as well as the slight tremble of her narrow shoulders.

Perhaps it was an act built off experience.

"Who are you?"

Tugging Rome closer to herself in a protective stance, she pursed her lips in contemplation, seeming to debate her options. As the man straightened, entering into the flicker of light, Lucas got a proper look at his appearance.

Immediately, he understood the reason for her fear.

Ghastly ruby eyes that absorbed darkness in a hypnotizing swirl. But it wasn't beautiful, like the gems that adorned fine jewelry, or the colour that charmed men and women alike.

Trickery was layered behind syrupy kindness, an eerie glint of strange intentions, and something inhuman engraved into the soft layers of deep red.

[He has changed. I wouldn't be surprised if he sold a part of himself for power.] sneered Wren's biting voice. [Those eyes... the power to charm people. Be careful.]

"Charm?"

[It's an artifact. Item. Whatever. Those aren't his real eyes—but to use the item, you'd have to gorge out your own eyes and replace them with the red ones. It's gross as hell.]

Disgust twisted Lucas' lips. To think that somebody would go to such an extent of self-mutilation for a power such as manipulation--had the Spade King reached such levels of desperation?

Begging for people to believe in his lies.

[I know. But for him, to get what he wants, he'll do... he'll do anything.]

She said nothing more, and so they watched in silence as thick tension clogged the air.

Nora narrowed her eyes deeply, careful not to accidentally brush against one of Rome's bruises as she held him back.

"I'm just a regular person, like you." said the man softly. "I don't know what's going on in the world, but I've gained a power from one of the Stories I went through. I have a group of some other people as well, would you like to join us?"

When Nora drew back slightly, the man quickly crouched down and put on the face of an understanding adult. "I know you're scared, and it's okay. I have some food and water back at my hideout, and I can protect you as well."

"...how should I trust you?" muttered Nora, blinking her beautiful blue eyes up at the man, whose smile stretched slightly wider from interest.

Lucas felt goosebumps on his arm, scrunching up his face. That expression—anybody with eyes could tell what it meant. A person who'd found something wonderful that they wanted to steal away.

Nora would be in danger.

[Don't interfere yet. She's strong, and we have to wait until the last moment. He won't do anything to her. Not until he's convinced that she's in love with him, or has manipulated her into his liking.]

"...I wasn't going to do anything."

Lucas leaned against the wall patiently, though his fists curled against the rocks, digging harshly. It was true; he wouldn't act unless he absolutely had to.

That didn't mean he enjoyed the sight of Nora's discomfort.

August wasn't phased by her cautious nature, and spoke slowly, as if to reassure her.

He flipped out his pockets. "I have no weapons. It's up to you, of course, I can't say or do anything to make you trust me. All I have is my word."

Rome peeked over at the man, and tugged on Nora's shirt like an obedient, scared child. "N-Nora..."

She glanced down, playing the role of a worried older sister. "...Very well. We'll go with you, if your offer still stands."

"Of course it does."

He offered her a hand as she glanced at it, ignoring the outstretched palm and standing up on her own. She added a wobble for a dramatic effect, fully playing the role of an injured, helpless woman.

Elliot, perched high amongst the trees laughed to himself. "Ha... she definitely didn't seem weak when she pulled that gun on me!"

Lucas glanced over, his hearing alert, a warning in his gaze.

Elliot rolled his eyes, sulking up in the trees. He was bored. Getting roped up in this drama wasn't interesting, there was the issue of his hand to worry about!

He still didn't believe that the person called Kane had no relation to that Ghost, though there was little he could do if the other person wasn't willing to cooperate.

As Nora and Rome disappeared into the trees, Lucas gestured to follow them.

Elliot, leaping from branch to branch with surprising nimbleness, masking his noise with the gusts of wind at sporadic times, and Lucas hidden in the depths of the shadows, lurking about.

He listened onto the conversation between Nora and August, reminding Wren to not lash out in the middle.

"Where are we heading?"

August slowed his pace, meeting her own. "I have a hideout, to avoid the chaos that's happening in the streets. There's an apartment complex nearby that's been mostly abandoned. The remaining residents have gathered together to form an alliance."

"Is there a leader to this alliance?"

He smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, that would be me, I guess. I have a fairly powerful Title gained from one of the Stories."

"Power?" Nora blinked naively, tilting her head as she hummed. "What sort of power do you have?"

"Have you heard about a 'Title'?"

"Yes, vaguely."

"By luck, I've been granted with the title of the Spade King. Have you heard of me, before? I have a small reputation going around, I've heard."

His question, posed as a regular and innocent wonder, was laced with careful, probing intent. After all, the rumours that had been spreading were anything but good.

If she replied with anything but 'no', it was likely that he'd make a move.

Instead, Nora shook her head and smiled gracefully, relaxing her shoulders as she held onto Rome tightly. "I haven't heard of that, but it sounds like a powerful Title."

The Spade King's blood-coloured gaze bored into her, before he turned away casually. "Yes, I have the ability to teleport to other locations."

"That's incredible." gasped the woman, eyes glittering with amazement. "If it comes without any restrictions, then it's one worthy of high praise."

"Unfortunately, there are certain restrictions."

"Oh, are there? What kind?"

He paused, watching her carefully before letting out a low chuckle. "All sorts of small things that'll disappear the more I train, I'm assuming. Nothing of interest."

Lucas stared from the shadows, wanting to look away. It was painfully obvious that the man was trying to show off, or in other words, 'woo Nora'.

[Hey. Stop. I fell for this once, remember?]

"Then you have terrible taste." retorted Lucas with a shake of his head.

Wren kicked him, and he felt a dull throb to his head. [Coming from you, whose lover is some sleazy businessman who owns tracking devices?]

"Lover?" The man shook his head. "I don't have that sort of interest. We have a deal, just as you and I."

[I don't believe it.]

"Believe it. And shut up."

He tuned out Wren's bickering complaints that echoed in the back of his mind, zoning back into the conversation between Nora and the Spade King. Even if the latter's arrogance and pride had issues, he wouldn't easily be charmed by Nora.

The way he regarded her—it was one observing an enemy, or stranger. Without ease, and wary of any misstep.

[...well, he's not a complete idiot. Unfortunately. Graduated the top of his class, and all that nonsense. I thought he was admirable, once.]

A pull of sadness, nostalgic longing lingered over her words. Even if she despised him, at one point, she'd loved him like no other. He was once a habit, forcefully stolen to leave her entire life rearranged.

Habits were hard to break. Especially when they came in the form of people.

A text from Elias came through at that moment. [Are you thinking of philosophical ideas at this essential time of stalking?]

Lucas scowled. [Where are you watching from?]

[Weed: Can't a person have their secrets?]

[Stalker.] replied Lucas with an air of finality.

Elias, hidden high within the darkness, among the tops of the trees laughed. [Only for you, darling.]

[Lucas: I'll use you well, then.]

The man pocketed the phone again, and watched as the pretend sister-brother pair and August stopped in front of a large building, clearly renovated recently despite being in an older area.

It wasn't towering, with only 4 - 5 floors, but it was hard to make a guess on how many people were hiding inside.

Luring the leader of an organization outside without anybody's interference wasn't an simple thing to accomplish. He needed Nora to gauge the loyalty of those who followed the Spade King.

He dashed around the corner, pressing against the wall as he glanced up at the few lit windows, looking for any moving shadows.

He'd counted at least 10 so far, going up to the 2nd and 3rd floor.

Pulling out his phone, he swiped out a message to Elliot who promptly responded. [I'm on one of the balconies. Aren't I cool? Anyway, I'm guessing closer to maybe 15? 20 at the maximum, but I don't think so.]

[Lucas: Can you sneak inside?]

[Idiot: Hm~ I can try? Aren't I a little underpaid for this?]

Lucas didn't bother indulging in the man's jokes. [I pay you what you're worth.]

[Idiot: ...hey, are you saying I'm worth nothing?]

Lucas glanced down, and decisively left the youth on 'read'. Elliot, lounging around on one of the empty balconies, frowned and jabbed at his phone impatiently.

Nora and Rome had already been lured into the building. He had warned her to cause a large racket if a dangerous situation occurred that may risk either of their lives.

Wren had agreed with that matter, knowing that even if those two failed to help with her revenge, Lucas would stake his life on it.

He'd signed a contract, with his life as consolation.

A light flickered on one of the lower apartments, and he fell into a low crouch, ear pressed against the wall as the itchy grass tickled at his ankles.

"There's something odd about him, I'm serious." said a firm, unyielding voice that seemed to belong to a young man. "I know you trust him, I know he offered a hand when we were injured but..."

A gruff voice replied angrily. "He saved us! Don't be ridiculous or paranoid."

"I'm not." The younger man remained calm, insistent. However, hesitation had begun to seep into their voice. "I...I don't know, but something's strange."

"I said, you're being paranoid. If you're so suspicious, then leave!"

"B-but, it's dangerous? Half the woman here are... erm... infatuated with him, and everyone if forced to hunt for food if they want a divide of the share. But the portion we receive is minimal, haven't you wondered where the rest goes?"

"Ha! Listen to yourself, you're suspecting August because you're jealous of his popularity?"

"That's not it..." There was a frantic plea to the voice. Lucas leaned back, making sure not to miss a hint of emotion.

Although the younger's suspicions had merit, he couldn't hold up to them. Nervous and lacking the confidence needed to convince another person.

And that weakness...

"You're speaking nonsense. I'm leaving. Get your head together!"

...could be perfectly exploited.

"Wait!"

"No, enough! I'm not reporting you because you helped me out that one time, but you'd better get your facts straight, Julian."

"I...." The door closed, and Julian's voice fell, defeated and frustrated.

Looking over his shoulder, Lucas' face morphed into surprise. Julian? Wasn't that a familiar name?

He considered it for several moments before giving up. His skill on remembering names simply couldn't be relied on, so he didn't bother trying for too long.

"Is somebody there?"

Lucas tilted his head back from where he crouched, low in the darkness to completely blend in with the night. There was the sound of rummaging, before the window was pushed wide open and a head popped out.

Familiar cropped white hair, and droopy, warm brown eyes looked around nervously, before hearing the noise below. His gaze dropped.

And Lucas smiled.

"Would you be happy if I told you that your suspicions were valid?"

Julian flinched, leaping back at the lazy drawl and the smile that disappeared almost as quickly as it had formed. Lucas sighed, running a hand through his messy raven hair before grabbing the rail of the open window.

Swinging his legs over in one clean jump, he pulled himself into the room, leaning back on the window's edge.

The wind howled behind him, seeming to pick up as it rushed through his clothes, adding a wild air to his appearance.

"H-hey..." Julian frowned lightly, eyes darting back and forth nervously. "Don't I know you?"

"Do you?"

Lucas narrowed his eyes, leaning slightly forward to observe the other person's appearance. Sure, it seemed familiar. He just couldn't quite remember...

"From the Cinderella Story!"

"Oh." The man nodded, vaguely recalling his chance meeting with the terrified youth in Cinderella's home. "Right. I saved your life then, didn't I?"

"Y-yes, thank you for that! I never had the chance to properly thank you."

"So you'll repay me, right?"

"What... what?" Julian tilted his head, confused. "I mean, I can... what would you like me to do? Uh, I do want to keep my body in one piece though..."

For some strange reason, he felt compelled to obey the man before him, the one who drew darkness around him like a barrier, as if he repelled light.

The man with a vision in his gaze, a determination that cared little for anything unrelated.

"Help me."

"With what?" wondered Julian cautiously, hoping he wasn't about to be dragged into another mess.

Lucas pushed off the ledge, calmly walking to the opposite end of the room before glancing at the closed door. He turned back to Julian nonchalantly, his pale stare piercing and unshakable.

He spoke as if his words were nothing important.

"I intend to kill the Spade King."