Chapter 206: Chapter 173

The office that Charon had set aside for Ishtar when she was visiting the Styx was, for lack of a better word, dramatic. The room was made entirely out of an almost luminous white marble, from floor to ceiling, giving it the illusion of being an isolated void. The door leading into the room was set in seamlessly so that when it shut behind her it emphasized the isolating effect. Within the room was another one of the mana-crystal based computers that had been created by Amos. The original being located at her office at the beach house in Maui. The two were connected which made it easy enough for her to catch up where she left off if need be.

The mount for the computer rested on a jet-black desk made of a similar reinforced stone to the walls. The only other pieces of furniture in the room were three chairs. Two sitting in front of the desk and one behind it.

Ishtar watched Tenebra leave the room through the hidden door, her gait a little shaky as she departed. She’d made a very frank deal with the young woman to ensure that no identities related to the inner circle were revealed, even by accident. Her primary concern being Cass, of course, a few well placed illusions was more than enough to conceal her own identity from the girl but Ishtar preferred to be thorough. She looked down at her desk and relaxed a little, reclining in the chair only to glance up again when a chime rang announcing someone outside.

A quick use of Astral Eye confirmed that it was Taurus, “Enter.”

The door opened of its own accord and Taurus stepped inside, looking around the room. The young villainess removed the respirator mask from her jaw before she looked back to Ishtar and tilted her head, “It’s rather empty in here, Mistress.”

“I don’t like distractions,” Ishtar said flatly before gesturing to the chair across from her.

Taurus accepted the invitation to sit and Ishtar dismissed the illusions covering her face. She rest her hands in her lap and met Ishtar’s gaze, “Sonya loves them.”

“Yes, she does. Diversions are her favorite past-time and tactic,” Ishtar chuckled.

Hey now. Sonya grumbled.

Ishtar tilted her head, “Did you want to speak with her? We’ve become rather apt at switching back and forth,” she said. It wasn’t without strain, of course, it felt taxing if they did it regularly or if Ishtar stayed in control for too long. It was part of the reason why she wanted to keep this visit to the Styx brief. As powerful as Sonya’s body was, there were places where she came up short.

Taurus smiled and reached up to touch the domino mask over her eyes. Her hand slid down her face and she rested her hands in her lap, “I’ll have plenty of time when we go back to New York. I honestly wasn’t expecting the trip here as soon as she picked me up,” she fidgeted, “I wanted to talk to you about a few things. I mean, I understand that you’re both- oh,” she sighed. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Ishtar said and waved a hand dismissively, “What did you want to talk about, Taurus?”

Taurus cleared her throat and sat up straight, meeting Ishtar’s gaze, “I want to help.”

“Oh?”

“I know I’ve been playing the Hero role, but I really want to assist you in my capacity as Taurus. I feel like I’ve been sitting on my hands when it comes to this,” she gestured around herself.

Playing, she says. Sonya chimed in with a snort.

Ishtar searched the girl's face. Sonya’s comment was apt, Ishtar hadn’t seen the girl more passionate and genuinely happy than when she was with her hero friends. It felt like tainting something precious to allow her to do any Villain work, which was why she was refraining. Her lips formed a thin line and she crossed her arms, “That’s not necessary. You should enjoy the freedom you have.”

Taurus shook her head, “No. I need to do this,” she said, her tone firm.

“Why?”

“I owe you,” Taurus said before frowning and shaking her head, “No, It’s more than that. I don’t really understand everything that’s going on and why you and Sonya are doing what you’re doing. I remember the meeting and I get that we’re trying to keep the world safe by being the bad guys,” she said and clenched her fists, “But that’s exactly why. If I can do some of the dirty work that the heroes can’t or won’t do. I want to.”

Ishtar snorted, “Sounds more like you want to be a Vigilante.”

“Is that an option?” Taurus asked.

Ishtar narrowed her eyes, “I’m afraid not. Not in any way that would be useful to me.”

Taurus’ shoulders sagged, “I see.”

“Taurus, if I give you free reign to cause mischief in New York, how likely would it be that you ran into your hero friends? Would they not notice your appearances and Cassiopeia Hanks’ disappearances?” Ishtar asked pointedly, “You’re rather close to them, especially with Crusader. She cares about you and by that very measure she is

conscious of you. The young woman also possesses a growing capacity to sense mana and may eventually develop a way to sense specific mana signatures. Your identity would be at significant risk.”

Taurus froze, “Wouldn’t that put you in danger too?”

Ishtar snorted, “Hardly,” she held out a hand and turned it over, a glowing white vine growing on it. “I can distort my signature if necessary. Though I have to do it consciously. Which is why I keep my appearances to a minimum,” she set her hand down on the desk and the vine dissolved. She took a breath, ready to dismiss the topic entirely when she met the girls eyes. Taurus held her gaze unflinchingly, her fists clenched, her jaw tight. Ishtar frowned and then let out a sigh, “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

Taurus seemed to muster her courage before shaking her head, “No mistress, I’m not.”

“Very well,” Ishtar said, “I am planning on asking Charon to borrow Tenebra soon, I need her unique skill set for a blow against Liberty in the future. It may be in a few months, but I can pair you off with her as a presumed bodyguard,” she paused and looked her over, “We’ll have to update your outfit first, though, the placeholder gear you have now won’t cut it.”

Taurus blinked and looked down at herself, “What’s wrong with my gear?”

“It doesn’t have enough flair,” Ishtar said with a grin, “Something to remember, for a supervillain, presentation is important.”

Taurus squinted at her, “Sounds like something Sonya would say.”

“We are the same person, after all,” Ishtar laughed before crossing her legs and leaning back, “Well? It would require some deception on your part as well as some travel via my teleportation ability. It could be made to work though.”

“I’m not sure about that Tenebra lady,” Taurus rumbled, “Her vibe just puts me off and she seems bossy.”

“Do you want the job or not?” Ishtar asked pointedly, her tone laced with warning.

Taurus stiffened, “Y-yes ma’am! Mistress! Sorry.”

Ishtar quirked her lip, “It’s fine. You’d be in charge anyway.”

“Me?” Taurus asked.

“You’re in my inner circle with Charon. She is Charon’s henchman,” Ishtar said pointedly, “There’s a clear hierarchy here. I encourage you to enforce it if necessary,” she added with a small smile.

She annoyed you and now you’re feeling petty, Sonya laughed, That’s hilarious!

Oh hush, Ishtar shot back.

Taurus mulled it over before breaking into a smile and nodding, “I’ll handle whatever you need, mistress.”

“Good girl,” Ishtar said with a nod, “Don’t worry, the result will be an important piece in undermining Liberty’s strength, that I can guarantee you. Defeating that woman is more complicated than knocking down her doors and taking her out, as you know. Every step is crucial.”

Taurus’ expression hardened, “All the more reason for me to accept.”

Ishtar nodded, “You had something else?”

Taurus paused as if she’d forgotten what else she wanted to talk about. She blinked before clearing her throat, “Do you think everything will be okay with Mephisto?” she asked and reached up to play with her hair, her cheeks reddened a little and she looked down at her lap, “I- He’s always nice to me and he was the first one of the Inner Circle I got to know. I didn’t really understand how I felt until I bonded with um…”

“The Heroes?” Ishtar finished for her.

“Yes, mistress.”

Ishtar leaned back in her seat, “I think you might be underestimating dear Mephisto, Taurus. When we awakened his ability we gave him some physical enhancement abilities as well. This was before we were capable of merging powers so they’re still separate. He likes it that way, though, apparently.”

“He doesn’t want to have them merged?” Taurus asked, “I don’t understand. From what I understand that would make a much more powerful ability for him to use more fluidly.”

Ishtar snorted, “Certainly, I’ve broached the topic with him several times, he’s refused categorically.”

“Why?”

“He says it’s more fun this way.”

–

Mephisto stood in front of the cave entrance. It was a looming opening in the side of a cliff face that towered far overhead. He glanced up at the damp, dripping ceiling and the rock formations hanging like swords over the interior. It looked like a maw of some kind. He sniffed, “Melodramatic,” he muttered dismissively before turning his head back to the portion of path that he’d cleared out with his abilities. “Grow,” he commanded and nature responded to his word of power, the space that had been decimated by his ability quickly beginning to regrow fresh plantlife in order to cover their path.

“I hate caves,” Kera muttered.

“I hate jungles,” Mephisto replied.

“This mission sucks,” Kera grunted, shoving her hands into her pockets.

“You want to tell Ishtar that?” Mephisto asked with a frown in her direction.

“Hell no,” Kera laughed and strolled towards the cave, “Y’know, it kinda looks like a real big mouth or something. You think Drastic picked it because of that?”

“Did the man with the dragon-themed mythic ability pick a cave in the middle of a jungle that looks like a giant open maw as his lair on purpose? Is that what you’re asking?” Mephisto said flatly, following her inside and brushing his skirt off.

She glanced his way, “Well when you put it that way, it makes my question sound stupid,” she said which drew a snort from him as he walked past her. She stopped and clenched her fists, stomping her feet, “I oughta fry you like a chicken!”

“We can play later, Kera, we have business!” he called back to her before letting out a weary sigh, “I hope this guy’s actual residence isn’t as depressing as the rest of this place,” he grumbled, “I need a comfy chair, maybe some wine,” he paused, “Oh… and some steak,” he glanced back at her, “How do you have your steak, Kera?”

She trudged along behind him as the dim interior fell over their heads. The air was more humid inside than it was outside but it was at the very least cooler. The faint sound of dripping water echoed around them as Kera considered him, “Don’t really care as long as it’s cooked,” she shrugged.

He frowned, “Aren’t you Italian?”

“We’re not all foodies,” she scoffed, “That’s a stereotype.”

“Says the woman who spent half the walk over talking about different kinds of fruit pastry,” Colin pointed out.

“Pastries are different!” she shot back.

“Uhuh,” he shook his head before holding up a finger, “I have mine medium rare with a balsamic reduction and crumbled blue cheese, has to have a good crust too of course,” he said, “Pair it with a red wine, something expensive.”

“All that effort, just eat a burger or something,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

“It’s called class, you spark plug,” he sniped, weaving between a few natural columns, “Maybe you’d have an easier time teasing out a bit more interest from Blackrazor if you had some. He’s the youngest among us and probably has a thing for mature older women if I had to guess. Emphasis on mature.”

She rolled her eyes as she stepped over a low ledge, “Like I want to hear that from you, Captain Dictionary,” she shot back, “I’ve heard things I wish I’d never heard while we were all staying at the Styx. Ugh, you and Amos are so noisy. Makes it impossible to sleep.”

He spluttered and rounded on her, “Capt- what?”

She grinned at him, “You heard me.”

“N o i s y.”

The voice was like a rumble that shook the entire cavern. Slow and deliberate, a deep terrible thrum that penetrated the spirit and shook the mind. Mephisto and Kerauna stopped their bickering to look around. Kera’s fingers sparked with electricity and Mephisto held up a hand to forestall her. He put on his most merry smile, “Well hello!” He called, “I assume I’m speaking with Drastic?”

“W h y?”

“Why… are we here?” He asked and tilted his head, “Didn’t we arrange a meeting?” he paused and then brought his hand up to his chest, “Apologies, sir. I am Mephisto, the representative of Ishtar and this is Kerauna, the Master Bolt and another member of the Villain Queen’s inner circle. We’re here to talk!”

“L e a v e.”

Mephisto kept the frown from crossing his features, “Now, mister Drastic. I understand if you might be a little groggy, perhaps we woke you, for that I apologize. However, today is the scheduled day of our meeting and you did agree through your agents to talk, correct?”

“W h o?”

Mephisto narrowed his eyes, “Who? The agent? It was Davi Campos.”

“H e  w i l l  d i e.”

Kera shifted on her feet, “I think that Davi guy didn’t let his boss know we were coming.”

Mephisto schooled his face into a veneer of calm, “You think?” he said through gritted teeth before clearing his throat, “Well, It would seem that your contact might not be very reliable. That’s unfortunate,” Mephisto said with conciliatory grace, he pulled his long hair back over his ear and brandished his best smile, “Even so, since we’re here, wouldn’t you like the opportunity to chat a bit? Ishtar is very interested in you and would like to provide you with support if-”

“E N O U G H!” The voice bellowed and just like that, the air went very, very still. Mephisto paused and squinted into the darkness only to feel the air begin to move past him, drawing inward and towards the depths of the cavern. The air flow picked up until it was literally ruffling his hair.

His lips formed a thin line and he glanced over at Kera, “Looks like somebody’s a bad host.”

“We did come uninvited,” Kera said with a shrug.

He squinted at her, “Who’s side are you on?

“Mistress’, obviously, you I can take or leave,” she quipped before her eyes narrowed and she took a step forward, moving in and positioning herself ahead of him despite her words, “Here it comes, stay behind me,” she said, her jaw setting. Mephisto felt it a few seconds after she did, an intense heat that began to build from the interior of the cavern. It was joined with a red-orange glow that ripped through the darkness.

Mephisto let out a sigh and shook his head as the roar of fire approached them, “Oh well,” he muttered, “Mistress will be disappointed, but what can you do?” he said with a shrug as flames poured over them. An ocean of fire that filled every inch of the cavern. It seared everything, burning the stone beneath their feet and ripping through everything it touched.

He cleared his throat, “Extinguish.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

–

The flames roiled throughout the cavern, filling it, every tunnel, every surface, scoring all life from within. There were no screams, there never were, there was only an instantaneous and infinitely painful death. The massive shape that dwelled inside shifted only slightly, its eyes lidded with drowsiness. Gnats. Drastic thought dismissively, his eyes starting to close. This is my land. Outsiders were not welcome in his homeland, so many had come from far away places to disturb and manipulate, control. It was because of them that there was so much to fix, so many to kill, so much to do. He was tired.

The air shifted and his eyes drifted back open. Hm?

The air picked up in speed and he came fully alert, his enormous head shifting inside of his comfortable resting place. He could not see the cavern entrance from where he was, but he could feel his flames starting to die. Too quick. That was when the flames that filled the passage in front of him, the one that led to the rest of the cave system, were snuffed out like the light of a candle. He blinked slowly and then his eyes bulged. My dragon flames were… snuffed out?

“Draaaaaasttiiiiiic. That was a no no!”