Concepts

"I apologize. I hope you know this is necessary as we take safety very seriously…" 

"It's fine…" Laplace muttered as he proceeded down the dark hallway. The wet stench of mold infiltrated his sinuses, filling them like a gaseous cloud of pure nausea. A humid condition caused his hair to immediately dampen and with the help of an occasional series of windy gusts, his skin tingled with goosebumps, forcing him to constantly stay on edge. 

"Handcuffs these thick aren't usually used, but since we're trying to be extra-" 

"I said it's fine…" 

Laplace rolled his eyes as the woman led him, seemingly with a vague aim. What that aim was? Well, Laplace already knew… 

Creeeeeeek 

At the far end of the hallway, a mischief of rats scurried about, clearing the way as the mysterious woman opened the thick metal door. It screeched and scratched against the evidently rusted ground until it finally slammed open, releasing a shockwave of air to gush through the alleyway. 

"Please stay silent until they give you permission to speak. I know you are strong, but…" 

"For sure." 

The woman didn't believe him in the slightest, yet had no choice but to proceed forward into the dark room. A single stone table sat in the middle, imprinted and fused to the ground while four surrounding chairs took each cardinal direction around it. And in those seats were four silhouettes—two men, two women.

"So that's him… scrawnier than I expected." 

"What matters is skill. Who cares if he's scrawny? As long as he can help us, we'll take whatever we can get." 

"I agree." 

"Well, what are you doing? Sit down," The last silhouette announced from the far end of the table. And as his lips closed, a single stone chair rose from the floor and presented itself between the south and the east figures. "Please sit and please relax… we have many questions." 

Laplace lightly nodded before sitting down, the uncomfortable tug of his handcuffs pinching his wrists ever so slightly as they lay in his lap. However, he was comfortable sitting in his chair as its properties were more like putty than anything else. 

"I would like to apologize for speaking out of line, but I'm sure you have no questions for me," The regressor instantly spoke up, causing the four dark figures to twitch their ears with anticipation. "I put on that little display in order to find you four… Apostle of Serenity, Mistress of Stoicism, Monarch of The Nihilist, and Commodore of War."

The Apostle of Serenity possesses a strikingly handsome appearance that exudes an air of tranquility. Standing tall with a lean and athletic build, his chiseled features are complemented by piercing azure eyes that seem to reflect the calmness within. His flowing, silver hair cascades down his back, adding an ethereal touch to his overall allure. Clad in flowing robes of serene blue and adorned with intricate silver jewelry, the Apostle's attire accentuates his regal and composed demeanor.

The Mistress of Stoicism captivates with her understated yet captivating beauty. With a serene countenance, she has a graceful presence that commands attention. Her eyes, a deep shade of emerald green, hold a quiet strength within them. Her raven-black hair, meticulously arranged in an elegant updo, frames her delicate features. Dressed in flowing garments of muted earth tones, the Mistress emanates an aura of quiet strength, her attire reflecting her commitment to stoic principles.

The Monarch of The Nihilist is a vision of unconventional beauty. With an enigmatic allure, she possesses a dark and mysterious charm. Her crimson locks cascade in wild waves around her shoulders, contrasting starkly with her porcelain skin. Piercing amethyst eyes hold a depth of nihilistic wisdom, hinting at a complexity beneath the surface. Cloaked in dark, flowing attire adorned with subtle yet symbolic details, the Monarch's appearance is a captivating blend of elegance and rebellion.

The Commodore of War exudes a rugged and commanding presence that draws immediate attention. Tall and muscular, his strong physique speaks of a life molded by battles and warfare. His steely gray eyes gleam with a determined intensity, framed by a closely cropped beard that adds to his formidable visage. Adorned in practical yet imposing armor, the Commodore's attire reflects both his military prowess and strategic mind. His dark, short-cropped hair completes the image of a seasoned warrior, ready to lead on the front lines of conflict.

Upon the creation of existence, concepts were crafted. Good, evil, chaos, adaptation, control, culture, design, religion, and many, many more. Through indescribable ways and seemingly feats of divine intervention, each concept was condensed into its very own being, serving as the first recordable signs of life. 

"You all must be confused as to why you are here, correct?" Laplace continued with each man and woman lightly nodding. 

These were those concepts taken into human form… however, they were in their infantile stage. Laplace wasn't sure why they were in their infantile stage as he never found out anything more after the great war had started. 

"Would you like to get anything off your chest? Tell me anything you have been wondering… I could possibly answer some things for you," Laplace proposed, but the four beings were still a bit skeptical. 

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..." 

Laplace's demeanor suddenly shifted. From a more composed and more considerate visage, his eyes hollowed into something empty and horrifying. His lips drooped into a pursed set of fleshy angry folds. An eerie green aura rose from his skin, causing all four beings to kick into a natural fight-or-flight mode. 

"I'll cut to the chase. I've come here to kill you all…" Laplace announced, initiating every present conceptual human to stand up. However, just before they could draw upon their own powers, Laplace interjected. "But… if you all do what I say, we can have a little alliance." 

Laplace was bluffing, but with all the information he had collected before his regression, he felt he had a chance at taking these guys out now, rather than later. This was due to the fact that these people aren't the same concepts condensed into human form… no, they were regular humans who on the day of the new year, were injected with the infantile consciousness of each condensed concept.