Prelude to Rampage #1
Cherry Hill
"Player Character Interface?" Raising a brow, I read out in morbid fascination.
Dropping the bowl in my hand. I stood up and quietly went back to my room - didn't want to disturb the sleeping heads who were probably in their diverse wonderlands at the moment.
I admit that I half-expected the HUD to vanish in the course of my striding back. After all, in physiological studies – if I got that correctly- there were some strange cases where the mind would conjure up some elaborate illusion, commonly based on one's last experience.
By the way, the last thing I did before my eyes automatically closed was gaming…
Nevertheless, to my greatest (un)surprise, the HUD screen followed my line of vision even as I entered my room and laid my ass on my floor bed.
"Ok…" I sighed rubbing the edge of my eyes. "This is now my reality, huh… I'm… I can't believe I'm about to say this. But I'm now a meta-human."
They were a special kind of humans who had supernatural abilities due to having a little something mixed in their DNA.
From what I could remember when reading some science-detailed discarded newsletters. Meta-humans are actually the majority amongst the three major classes of superhumans - with aliens and the gods subsequently.
Heck, the news of some magic lightning-storm in Star-City, giving random people superpowers was quite the hit just some weeks ago.
"But, I don't remember being struck by lightning... In the first place, that unnatural occasion had transpired in Star-City, not in Gotham… Which I'm thankful for anyway."
Because if some random criminal had actually won the lottery in powers, then Gotham would have gotten a whole lot nastier.
Sighing, I click my tongue in self-reproach.
"What are you waiting for, Ekko? The fucking screen is gonna' be in your face all night if you don't find out what it is… Either way, what's the worst that could happen?"
With those words, I proceeded by focusing more on the screen.
[Player Character Interface]
[Game-Disk Slots]
[Avatar Selection]
[Item Grid]
On the gold stylishly designed screen, where three options that suddenly appeared when I had begun to concentrate on the screen itself. Which meant that this… Interface - if it really is an interface- is something that can be operated by thought.
Which is totally ok for me - I didn't want to be waving my hands like an idiot to operate it.
With that in mind, I first focused on the « Item Grind» half-hoping that there was… Maybe, something in it – like a preparatory note or some goodies.
But nope, instead I got this…
[Item Grid Unavailable!]
{Option would be available after completion of at least 1 game}
A brow raised in bemusement at the way the ( at least) option appeared to be. Maybe there is something more to it. Unfortunately though, even when I had thought hard for an explanation to magically poof up. All I got in return was the howling frigid winds of Gotham chilling my room… And my ass.
"So the Item Grid isn't viable at the moment. What about the Avatar Selection?"
But even that option is a no go - it kept on informing me to ( load a game-disk). Although this time, I did get a bit more detailed explanation about the enigmatic interface…
And my powers as a whole.
[Avatar Selection Unavailable!]
{Option would be available when a game disk has been loaded into the Game-Disk Slot}
[Note: Avatars are the Main Playable Characters available on the slotted game disks and are possible for immediate use upon Avatar Uploading. Non-Playable Characters (Boss and a few select Non-Playable Characters) can only be uploaded upon completion at the Highest settings (and must be done with your own hands).]
[Warning: Uploading of Playable Characters would result in ingratiation of 15% of their Character Traits in the exchange for their Skill-Knowhow, while Non-Playable Characters would result in an ingratiation of 25% of their Character Traits.]
[You are advised to be VERY cautious on the Character you pick to utilize!]
Rubbing my chin, my mind went running in circles at the ramifications of this warning. Firstly, the nature of my powers is one without any theoretical limits - the ability to become whatever I want so long as it is from a video game had opened a window of ideas… Numerous ideas.
But on the other hand, the drawback is kind of, no, too dangerous.
"It's like being…" My face institutively scrunched up in disgust. "The Batman and having his fucking mentality in exchange for his skills, or becoming the Joker in exchange for his freaking madness – well, a portion of it anyway."
While this would spare me the trouble of learning on how to use their skills effectively. I would – in one way or the other- end up thinking like them.
Fuck, that's one heck of a bummer.
Sighing, I shook my head and checked the final option – the Game Disk Slots.
This time, the effects were more physical per say.
From my right side, manifesting in thin air, was a red glowing rectangle that had a kind of fiery effect emanating from it - it was separated into 5 parts. At the top of the partitions were the words...
«Slot 1-Empty»
«Slot 2-Empty»
«Slot 3-Empty»
«Slot 4-Empty»
«Slot 5-Empty»
I won't deny it. The fact that I probably bore the look of a caveman who was seeing fire for the first time in his life…
As I touched the first slot, I felt my body vibrate in a funny way as the slot shimmered and opened to reveal… A normal disk tray. I shook my head at how normal the inside looked like, while outside appeared so mystical.
Standing up, I head for the small plastic tray beside the TV. In it were an array of disks - they were my video games.
Though calling it an array is probably an overstatement…
After all, - to my personal use- apart from the ones I had borrowed. The number of game disks I possess were 3 in number… Yeah, I know that's a pitiful number. I originally possessed more than that, but due to certain financial difficulties, I had to sell almost all of my game disks.
Like I said before; garbage ain't just safe for kids around 8 to 10 years old.
Anyway, it wasn't a no-brainer the game disk I had first picked.
"Hah~ The Darkness II. An old classic."
A PS3 game with a plot that reminded me too much of Gotham – especially the first sequel. This, in a way is my favorite game, because the main character in the game - who is Jackie Estacado, is the kind of Hero I admire…
The one who makes sure that the bad guys actually stay dead.
Pulling the hard disk out of its casing. I gave the disk a thorough look, relived to see that it is still in a pristine condition. Subsequently after that, I placed the disk on the tray which promptly withdrew back inside.
At that very instant, my body tingled.
"There it is again." I muttered in wary bemusement. "That tingle whenever I touch this disk tray… Is this somehow connected to my body?"
Looking around myself, I couldn't find any wire of sorts that connected me to the glowing Game Player. In the end, I'll just sum it up as an unfathomable characteristic of this strange ability.
Upon willing the floating Game Player away, the sudden message appeared before me.
[The Darkness II (PS3) slotted in!]
[Begin Game: Yes/No]
"Um… Yes?"
The back of my wrist rippled as a normal looking black USB wire wriggled out from my flesh. I could feel that this USB was a part of me as it slithered to my exact commands…
Yep, now I'm 100% sure that the Game Player is somehow connected to me.
"The question now is whether I should be concerned about such a thing."
After connecting the USB to the TV and receiving another tingle - god, I need to get used to that. The TV screen loaded to a familiar image depicting The Darkness II PS3 game.
My incoming question about where should I stick my console in was abated. A familiar tingle later - a fiery construct manifested on my hands.
Shaking my head slowly, I muttered in dry amusement.
"Heh, this powers of mine are really bullshit."
Thus I immersed myself into the dystopian themed game; The Darkness II.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
Some (many) hours later
"Ekko~ tell me the truth. Did you get any sleep last night?"
"… … … Eh, yes?"
"Is that an answer or a made up speculation?" Elaine asked with a brow raised.
Seeing as I couldn't reply to that. Elaine sighed, hanging her apron as she was just done preparing breakfast. Moving towards me, she cupped my cheeks turning my face towards hers.
"Then why are your eyes so red, hmm? And don't try turning your face away from me, mister. I've already seen them." Elaine said sternly, forcing my -whirling- face towards her direction.
Blinking erratically, the urge to conjure a fib grew within me - an urge that lasted only for an instant. I couldn't lie to Elaine. Not just because we had both promised each other never to do so, but Elaine had this unfathomable gift to spot a lie.
Simply put, it is impossible to lie to her face…
Though that doesn't mean I will tell her about my current situation - at least, not at this very moment. This isn't something that could be said lightly…
"I won't deny that I didn't get any shut eye last night…" Cupping Elaine's cheeks to stifle her incoming interrogation - and also in retaliation, I continued,
"But. It's for something of dire importance. I don't wanna' say anything for now, as it could mean a great change for us all."
"For better or worse?"
"Yes, Elaine. For better or worse."
Elaine's dark orbs stared at mine as if lulling me into a sleep. Shaking my head, I withdrew from Elaine's hold, because if I had remained any longer, I might end up snoring while standing.
'God, I must be really tired.' I thought, while stifling a yawn.
At the moment, Elaine folded her arms, eyeing me, as she bore a look of contemplation.
"Sure you don't want to tell me what's going on?"
"Can't." I corrected, moving to pick my breakfast. "At least not yet. Later on, I'll be heading for the dumps - got some business I have to attend to. When I get back, I promise that I'll tell you everything."
Sighing in acquiescence, Elaine moved towards the sofa - to where the kids were already devouring their own breakfast, and said. "Just… Just don't do anything dangerous, Ekko."
Huffing, I replied with a small smirk.
"You know that's my motto, 'be cool and play safe."
Darcy, who was in the middle of eating suddenly interjected.
"But Ekko, I thought your motto was 'need for speed."
Stiffening, I ruffled Darcy's hair, while replying back, smugly. "Aren't you the smartass now, eh. Let's just say, I'm adaptable, and leave it at that."
"Darcy don't talk while there's still food in your mouth." Elaine chided.
"Sorry~!"
Shaking my head, I settled down to eat my breakfast, while I mentally prep myself for a walk to the dumps.
But first…
"Before I forget, Elaine. Are there any leftovers from yesterday's dinner and this breakfast?"
Elaine nodded bemused. "Yes, but why are you asking?"
"I wanna' package some for Josh and others…"
Those simple words needed no further explanation, as Elaine nodded back a bit too enthusiastically.
"Ah, I understand. I'll wrap up the food up and place them on the table for you to pick up when you're going out."
"Thanks."
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
Gotham's Garbage Dumps
Now, when I say the dumps, I don't actually refer to 'The Dumps'…
Hmm… I know that sounds confusing, but bear with me - there is a good reason for that.
You see, in Gotham, there are 2 types of dumps.
There's 'The Dumps' where at least 4 times in a month, there are dead bodies to be identified, vigilante fights booming, and madmen lurking around plotting their nasty diabolical plans for Gotham.
And there's also the dumps - the place that I'm currently heading to.
It's a mass collection of wrecked buildings located some kilometers to the harbor. A site all but unofficially abandoned by the city's government in the recovery of Gotham.
This dumps is home to ones who had no homes in Gotham…
There were some ragtag communities that had been formed as a means of deterrence to the thugs - not like it'll matter much to the more 'bigger' predators.
In fact, before I'd found the Abandoned Building and the community inside of it, this was where I and the others had originally resided in.
This was my third home after the destruction of my orphanage.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
I once again let out a sigh of assurance, upon feeling the discomfort of my knife blade tucked behind my slacks.
My actions couldn't be help considering the fact that, while this place isn't as worse as Crime Alley, there were still some truly desperate persons who were ready to do anything to put a morsel of food in their mouths.
I had already caught some of them eyeing me as soon as I'd arrived.
Honestly, I couldn't -and wouldn't- blame them for their violent actions… Especially in a place like Gotham.
While the Batman and his 'family' have no issues in giving the common alley thug a black eye. I seriously doubt that they knew why the thug would have taken such a drastic villainous action in order to get the money.
Once, I'd almost found myself in their shoes when I'd been desperate…
That is why I can sympathize with them no matter how wrong their actions were.
But that is the best I can do… The most I can afford to do.
Pulling myself out of my reverie. I realized that I had finally arrived at a crudely constructed building. It was situated some paces away from the congregation of structures just like this.
But then again, I knew that the owner had planned for it to be placed this way…
Some feet away from the building, I stopped and let out a sharp whistle. It didn't take long for a whistle to be incanted back in turn…
This was a form of password that had been put in place as a sort of security.
Not many people actually visits these kind of places. But the ones who do are either the people who live here, or those who had intentions towards the ones that live here…
From my own experience, the later intentions weren't always good.
Anyway, the zinc door pushed open as a beefy brown haired boy, my age, dressed in an overall that had seen better days, stepped out with a light glare.
Though that changed upon seeing that it was me.
Now wearing a smile, he jauntily said. "Well, look who it is? I see that life's gotten you fat, eh, Ekko."
I snorted. "And I've seen that life has gotten you thinner, Josh."
Shaking his head, Josh moved the door to allow me in, but I shook my head.
"Sorry, I would really love to catch up. But I've got something important to do at our little hideout… Wait, Josh. I hope nothing's missing from our pile."
Laughing, Josh clapped my shoulder hard - kind of painful by the way.
Seems like he's been working out.
"Think anyone's gonna' look over there especially when the location is being considered? Hahahaha… Don't worry, there's nothing missing. And in case you didn't notice."
Flexing, Josh's muscles bulged.
"I've been visiting that place even after you've left."
"I can see that." I commented before handing the large black leather to Josh. "By the way, here's a little something from I and the rest. Figure we could help out a little."
Josh took the bag without opening it - that would only be inviting trouble. Nevertheless, he wore a look of gratefulness.
"Thanks. This really helps more than you can imagine."
"By the way, I've also gotten a community just like my own that you could join."
Passing him a piece of paper that I had produced from my pockets, I continued in a whisper.
"There's the location and the password they'll ask. I've confirmed everything so there's nothing to worry about."
Josh nodded elatedly. "This… This is really good news, Ekko! I'm sure the others will appreciate it… Especially with the hot news about a gang war going around."
"Ah, so you've heard."
"Of course I've heard. Sighting of clown posters are everywhere."
I clenched my fist for a moment, before releasing it in a sigh.
"You don't say… Oh, alright then. I've got to go."
"Till next time."
I threw a wave while moving ahead. "Till next time."
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
Pushing aside the pile of zinc that served as a makeshift entrance, I entered a clearing that had improvised gym equipment strewn around.
"It's been quite a while since I'd last came here."
Back when I had begun working for Maine, he had initially considered me 'incapable' of running the more lucrative jobs - didn't have the stamina, the speed, nor the doggedness to provide the desired results.
Not to mention the memorable event that transpired the first time I'd received my pay. The gang-up by my 'seniors' and the subsequent beating and mugging that followed…
Till this day, I still can't help but ponder on how I had survived that thrashing.
I couldn't show myself to the Elaine and the kids looking half-dead, nor did I want to. On that day, I had sworn to get stronger… Strong enough to protect what's mine.
It was that decision that'd led me to into 'this'…
I admit, it wasn't easy. There were times I would collapse on the ground thinking that I'd done enough, that there was no reason to push myself too much.
But then, I would remember how I almost died.
This is Gotham - just 'doing enough' will not guarantee you seeing the next day.
You've got to be faster to run faster.
You've got to be stronger to hit harder.
You've got to have the tenacity to not fall at the first hit.
I didn't have to be as freakishly strong as the Batman or his minions. I just wanted to be fast enough to outpace my pursuers, strong enough to pull out their teeth with a well-placed punch, and possess the tenacity to keep on fighting even when the going gets rough.
In the end, I can proudly say, I'd gotten what I wanted.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
"197… 198… 199… … 200!"
With a victorious cry, I dropped the barbell roughly to ground.
Strictly speaking, calling it a barbell would be wrong considering that I'd made it by mixing pilfered cement and sticking it at the end of an iron rod…
But it's not like there is anyone to correct me now, eh?
Dressed in nothing but my shorts as I didn't want to saturate my clothes with my sweat. I collapse on a makeshift bench, heaving. Casting an arm over my face to shield it from the setting sun.
"It's already approaching night, huh." I muttered. "I'll just have to wait a little more, then."
I had already completed The Darkness II - it wasn't really a long game. But I had decided not to Upload my Character as I was afraid of the unexpected repercussions that could come along with it.
There is a possibility that I might explode or worse. I know it might sound outlandish to some, but this is a world where Gods and Immortals live among us. I want to consider all possibilities before Uploading any Avatar…
Especially when the safeties of Elaine and the children are involved.
So I patiently waited. 30 minutes pass by, and the sun finally went out. Gotham has once again welcomed the accursed darkness and all the horrors it brings…
Tonight… I will be counted among their numbers.
Sitting up, I disregarded the creaking racket of Gotham's rousing night life and opened my Player Character Interface, upon which I selected the selecting The Darkness II Game Slot. And with the sound of bell chime, the screen promptly took me to the Avatar Selection option.
On it was a sole screen that displayed the image of a young dark hair handsome man staring back at me impassively – no, that stare wasn't impassive at all… It was cold. A mean, ruthless kind of cold.
In a way, his stare made me nervous because I was basically about to become him. But now is not the time to back away… I've put it off long enough.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." I murmured. "Jackie Estacado… Upload."
For a transient instant, everything went dark.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
ᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪ
Once The Darkness gets a hold of you, you start to lose control.
You start to wonder what the fuck you're doin'. Time slips away from you… And then, all of a sudden, it's like you're sittin' in a theater, watchin' a movie of your own life.
You're up there on the big screen. Big as life. You're a fuckin' movie star.
And you're killin' all the bad guys - tearing them limb from limb.
You feel good. You look good. Fuck, you're good.
But then, you realize somethin'.
Everyone else in the theater - they're screamin', 'cuz they're watchin' a horror movie. And you're definitely not the Hero…
You're the Monster…
ᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪᴪ
The very moment I opened my eyes, I knew that I had fundamentally changed.
Power, power, unending pure unadulterated power… It was a euphoric sensation that tingled my spine, filling me with a dark sense of excitement.
Looking around, I couldn't stop the entranced sound that escaped my lips.
The pitch dark night had turned into day – no, that's wrong.
My perception had basically turned my night into day. I could see everything with such crystal clarity that I had to look to the sky to be sure that it was still night.
Upon giving myself a look, I felt my breath hitch upon seeing something -or someone- else.
I was dressed in a black fitted long coat with sleeves neatly folded to the elbow, the inner article of a slight brighter color and slacks bearing the same hue as the coat gave me the image of dangerous man…
But that isn't the reason for my breathe hitching.
"I'm tall and I'm-I'm white…?"
In place of my dark skin was a fair and bright white epidermis. I ran a hand through my hair feeling it smoothly run down instead of halt in a messy entanglement…
This definitely isn't what I had expected when the Interface told me about becoming a game Avatar. But I'll take it - saves me the trouble of getting a costume anyway.
Finally done with my existential crises, it's time for the main event.
There was no need for me focus to bring it out… I had felt it just as soon as I'd become Jackie Estacado.
An endless chaotic force of creation as the game calls it.
My shadow stirred as it spread out in the dark in a much inker blackness, covering everywhere in its jet-black hue, it festered in the shadows, as I called out my Darklings…
An instant later they answered…
It wasn't just 1 like in the sequel, or 4 like in Darkness I. I had felt the dark energy produced or rather, summon over 30 Darklings and more were coming from the Dark Dimension.
Quickly, I called the summoning off, but that still left me with over 66 of these dark creatures. Sickly green and red eyes stared at me under the cover of the dark shadows, but it's not like they could hide their forms from me, anyway.
I gave a mental command and they all came out. They were off all shapes and sizes; imps, winged-humanoids, even giant 10 ft. muscled creatures. They all came surrounding me as they stared with eyes brimming with intelligence.
Obeisance-Deference-Conditional Loyalty…
I could feel their each and every of their emotions... They were looking up to me like I was the real Jackie. I don't really have his memories and I haven't read his comics much. But I knew how to use his –my- powers with such expertise that it feels like I had them all along.
Raising a palm, an orb of Darkness coalesced forming a large exquisite bastard sword, a spear, a helix, and then a gun. It was the later, I had a feeling of intimacy with.
Dismissing it, I saunter towards one of the Darklings - a humanoid, and touched its skin. It was cold and coarse, typical for a creature of the night.
Walking back to the middle I nodded my head in thought.
"It's as I'd suspected; the game mechanics really isn't workin'. This is good. I can work with this. But first..."
Darkness enveloped my form as I fashioned the iconic exoskeleton. Dark murky wings burst out from my back with a watery effect as I smirked at my servants.
"Alright, boys. How about a night trip around the city?"
The spine chilling howls and cries of excitement was all I needed to hear.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
It was a night that would be remembered by the Gothamites for ages to come.
For the folks living in the dumps, it began with the sound of beating winds, a dust maelstrom forming a distance away… Then the Devil flew out, leading behind him a multitude of his demonkin.
They could hear his spine chilling laughter and discordant bellow his dark retinue. Gotham had already seen enough freaks and crazies, but this... This was something that would ever be forgotten.
For it was 'The Devil's Parade'.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
ψψψψψψψψψψψψψψ
Sometimes I can't help but wonder. What if; instead of taking that joy ride, I'd just Unload my Avatar and head back home.
Maybe, I would have been spared from this frenzied world of fighting the bad guys and the good guys. Going on a 1 man rampage, to show the world an orphan's rage.
Maybe, I would have spent the rest of my days living the good life away from Gotham...
Elaine would have gone to the designing college of her choice.
Noriko and Armstrong wouldn't have to have to go the school wearing patched up uniforms.
Prakash wouldn't have to play the big man to hide his sickness.
Darcy would have all the beef and fishes, she want.
Josh and others would have proper jobs instead of working at the docks where they could die the next day.
Maybe... I wouldn't have to wake up every single day with the knowledge that I'm a now a mass murderer.
But it's too late for regrets now… I've paved my road and I'll see it through to the end.
No matter what lays at the end of it.
ψψψψψψψψψψψψψψ
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
Standing at the edge of a building while observing the hectic crowd below, I pondered on the direction I'll be taking from now on.
"Being a Hero isn't gonna' put food on the table, and Villainy isn't something I would consider in a million years."
From the hidden corners, I feel my Darklings eyes as they whispered all sorts of ideas. Ideas that made the Ekko in me, queasy in disgust.
Frowning, I turned as I sharply said. "Can it! Unless you want me to send you back, keep your trap shut!"
My words and the intention behind them were enough deterrent to shut them up... Thankfully.
"Hah... Why am I struggling to come up with an idea, when I have Elaine to help me think of something very lucrative? I've had enough excitement for one day, time to head home."
Just as I was about to sprout my wings and soar away. I noticed a plump police man and his partner rushing out of a coffee shop towards their car bearing terrified looks.
"Shit! Why does it have to happen why I'm on duty!?"
The coffee on their hands splashed dousing their skin, but they didn't seem to mind. Upon opening the door, the lankier partner suggested.
"How about we just skip it? Say traffic caught us or we had to deal with trouble elsewhere."
The plump policeman glared as his partner.
"Idiot! The Commissioner gave an 'all hands on deck' order. Unless, you're connected with the big boys, then you've got an excuse to fabricate, if not, then we've got to go."
"I hear yah. But talk about fucking timing."
Smirking, I huffed at the typical example of Gothamnite cop. Not really surprising when one has seen it happen for over 100s of times.
But then the plump policeman had to say it.
"Since when does Zsasz work for the Joker?!"
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
One say it was a memory that I had repressed for so long that had jumped up at the mention of the serial killer's name, 'Zsasz'.
*Thump!*Thump!*Thump!*Thump!*Thump!*
My heart began beating so fast, I thought I was beginning having a heart attack - though I would happily take that to the painful memory washing across my mind.
Biting my lips so hard till I taste blood. My current turbulent emotions washed across the Darklings who began to shake uncomfortably where they stood.
I didn't need anyone to tell me that my eyes were glowing red – I could see ruby glow reflected on my surroundings.
"My Darklings."
My voice echoed as I began to summon more and more from the Dark Dimension.
"Tonight, I offer you a sacrifice. A soul of the Damned, one who has escaped retribution, but will escape no longer… Lead me to the soul of Zsasz. He must not see tomorrow's sun. Go!"
Watching impassively as my minions rushed out in their great numbers, following all signs of unrest. Leading me to that fuckin' serial killer. I closed my eyes and whispered.
"Anna... Watch me from wherever you are. Your big bro is gonna' make sure that your murderer pays for your death… And I'll make sure that he'll pay dearly."