XXXVIII - Deviating Plans

I couldn't help but let out a low, self-satisfied chuckle as I regarded my handiwork. "Truly, I am unparalleled under the sun," I screamed, smearing a crimson streak across my brow with the remnants of Joachim's blood.

Gripping the lifeless corpse of the fallen killer, I dragged his body using his leg through the train car, making my way to the third wagon. There, I caught sight of Lucky and set to work, carefully administering a few precious drops of Joachim's restorative blood.

I repeated the process in the second and first wagons, where Psyche and Lavinia lay unconscious respectively. They didn't stir as I tended to their wounds, my movements quick and efficient. I needed them in fighting shape for the tasks that lay ahead – the grand scheme I had concocted would require all of their abilities, and I couldn't afford to have them hobbled by their injuries even if it meant them knowing the power of the blood.

With a flick of my wrist, I banished the lifeless husk of Joachim, the Rail Tracer, sending him to the Sanctum Of Origins, using my ring. I could not kill him because I didn't know where his contract laid, so I had to improvise and send him to my child. A heartless contract holder would take months to heal, it's a vital organ after all, so I wouldn't fear for my child, on the contrary, I would fear for Joachim's sanity and life.

I turned to the train window and noticed that the space loop scenery had faded, we were back in the real world and it was only 13:00 so only one hour passed but in Massacre Express, it felt like an eternity.

Tomorrow, the next phase of my plan would unfold, and I knew with absolute certainty that I would emerge victorious. For I was Diablo, The Ruler of this world, The Architect of a new world order – and no force on earth could hope to stand in my way.

I gathered my comrades, their injured forms draped across my shoulders as I carried them one by one into the first wagon. Gently, I settled them into the seats, my eyes narrowed with concentration as I watched the miracles of The C-Holder blood take effect.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before they began to stir, their wounds knitting closed with remarkable speed. And then, as if on cue, their eyes snapped open, falling upon my bloodied, smiling visage.

"There's a killer in the train," Lucky spat, his gaze accusatory. "That fucking conductor is a bad, tough motherfucker.

He killed all the passengers in mere seconds. I managed to wound him twice, barely, and that is because I used Ricochet, which is a new ability I developed, a bullet that travels at Mach speed, and yet he was able to tank them like they were nothing and break my face rendering me unconscious."

I held up a placating hand, my expression serene. "Now, now, Lucky, you did well, without your efforts I would not be standing here in front of you." I purred.

Psyche cut in, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and outrage. "He snapped the necks of the other passengers in mere seconds. I was fucking helpless against him!"

Lavinia, ever the cool-headed one, leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "And my illusions didn't work on him at all. My 7 devils were useless against real madness and passion." With a shaken voice she then whispered, "He was too fixated on doing what he loves most – killing."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that, my lips curling into a wicked grin. "Ah, but you see, my dear Lavinia, that's where you're mistaken. He was no mere conductor, no ordinary killer." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "It was Joachim Kosminski, The Rail Tracer, The descendant of Jack The Ripper himself, bearer of The Wheel of Fortune tarot card and the so-called ability Massacre Express."

The three of them stared at me, their expressions a mix of shock, fear, and – dare I say – a hint of awe. And why shouldn't they be? That guy was a monster, an abomination of nature, he should not even exist. It is not fair to be that strong physically, to have insane reflexes, and instincts, and be up to no good. If I did not plan ahead and relied on Lucky injuring him, then falling into my illusion trap using Yves, and then handicapping him when he lost his left eye and left arm, I would have lost.

"What do you mean by it 'was'? Why did you use the past tense?" Lavinia exclaimed, her tone filled with questions.

I fixed Psyche, Lucky, and Lavinia with a piercing, ice-cold stare, my lips curling into a sinister grin. "I got rid of the Rail Tracer," I announced, my voice dripping with a predatory satisfaction.

The three of them stared at me, slack-jawed, as I continued. "I tore his heart out with my own two hands and threw his lifeless husk into the Sanctum of Origins – a little gift from our dear Psyche, an alter room."

Lucky's eyes went wide, his face bearing an impressed grimace. "Diablo" he breathed, his voice quavering. "That is my boy, you are fucking impressive. You are all-fired but how in the deuce did you-"

I raised a hand, silencing him with a dismissive flick of my wrist. "Irrelevant," I drawled. "The point is, we're safe now. That beast of a man won't be bothering us anymore." I winked at him while showing him my bloodied bruised knuckles.

I let out a low, rumbling chuckle, my eyes narrowing to slits. "I did what was necessary to ensure the success of our plan. I used some of my tricks and these hands. Now, we must focus on the task at hand, without any more distractions."

Lavinia leaned forward, her gaze steady, though I could detect a hint of unease in her features. "Eros, do you still think we should proceed with your plan even after all that happened?" she asked, her tone measured. "I think we are physically exhausted, don't you?"

"My plan will deviate a bit, but the goal still is the same, kidnapping the US president tomorrow, and sending a message. As you can see, you have already healed decently because I used one of my tricks on you. Optimally, My kidnapping plan would not require us to use our powers to an exhausting extent, it would be quick and swift."

I then looked at Psyche and said," Now would be a good time to use Alice in Wonderland to our advantage. We have to leave this slaughterhouse of a train right now and the reason is obvious, we would be the prime suspects in this massacre. We will teleport back to my apartment, clean ourselves, and wear cleaner clothes. I have some unique outfits for us to conceal our identities."

Psyche gave a solemn nod. In the blink of an eye, her Alice in Wonderland ability flared to life, and the world around us seemed to shift and distort.

Before I could so much as draw a breath, we found ourselves standing in the familiar confines of my apartment, the roar of the train fading into the distance.

Lucky let out a low whistle, her brow furrowed as she took in our new surroundings. "Well, ain't that something, your ability is sick Psyche," he muttered, a hint of respect in his voice.

Lavinia remained silent, overthinking the plan and the risks that might show up.

As for me, I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile. The plan deviated, but the pieces were falling into place, just as I had envisioned. With me by their side, they should fear nothing.

My plan will proceed as I dictated...