Chương 9: The Devil In The Pale Moonlight

In the heart of a city that never fully embraced daylight, somewhere behind The Veil, where shadows seemed to stretch and twist in unnatural ways, walked a tall, skinny man named Lucius Blake. The criminals and thugs who were active at that time of night turned away their eyes the moment they saw him, their instincts screaming that this was no normal man; no, Lucius was different - strange, even. His eyes were like two drops of ink in a sea of white, almost the same color as his hair – and his smile felt like it didn't quite fit his face, like it's something he learned to do consciously, not naturally.

He didn't have to be seen tonight. After all, Lucius had a knack for disappearing into the shadows, like he was part of them. Even now, the shadows stirred beneath him as he walked; it was almost as if darkness itself obeyed his command, bending and twisting at his will. But Lucius wanted to be seen. He had business to attend to tonight – important business. He dealt with mages, after all. He needed to feed the rumors about him in the underbelly of the city so he could keep luring those fools in. They'd always come to Lucius looking for something - power, knowledge, who knows what else - and he'd happily give it to them - for a price.

But here's the thing about Lucius; he wasn't in it for insignificant things like money and artifacts. No, he served someone - or something - much darker than any of them could imagine. His master was a mystery, a figure lurking in the depths of the magic world, one that demanded absolute obedience. Nobody really knew who - or what - this master was, but they didn't dare cross Lucius. The few that knew him knew very well what he was capable of. So, as the days turned into nights and the shadows grew long, Lucius Blake would slip through the cracks, moving like a ghost through the city streets. And most of those who caught sight of him knew to steer clear, for crossing paths with Lucius meant dancing with darkness itself. However, there were always desperate souls who couldn't resist him.

As Lucius wandered through the streets, his path intersected with a small group of vagrants huddled around a makeshift fire. Their faces, etched with the weariness of life on the streets, betrayed a mix of caution and curiosity as they watched him approach.

"Good evening, gentlemen," he said cheerily.

"Hey, I know you ain't you that shadow guy?" one of them muttered nervously, eyeing him with suspicion.

Lucius flashed them a disarming smile, his dark eyes gleaming with a hint of mystery. "The one and only," he replied smoothly, his voice carrying a soothing tone.

"Seems like my reputation precedes me. Lucius Blake, at your service," he said with a flamboyant bow.

The vagrants exchanged wary glances, unsure of what to make of this unexpected encounter.

"We ain't looking for trouble, man," another one spoke up, his voice tinged with wariness.

Lucius shook his head reassuringly, his smile unwavering. "No trouble here, I promise," he assured them. "In fact, I think I can offer you an opportunity - a chance to change your circumstances for the better."

The vagrants leaned in, their interest piqued despite their skepticism.

"What do you mean?" one of them asked cautiously.

Lucius's smile widened, his gaze flickering with a hint of excitement. "I'm talking about a warm bed, a hot meal, and a little extra cash in your pockets," he said, his words laced with promise. "All I ask in return is a couple of favors here and there, nothing much really."

The vagrants exchanged hesitant looks, grappling with the prospect of hope amidst their despair.

"What's the catch, though?" someone asked, voicing the unspoken question lingering in the air.

Lucius chuckled softly, his demeanor exuding ease – yet the vagrants couldn't help shivering when they saw the cold eyes above his smile.

"No catch, my friends," he replied smoothly. "Just a mutually beneficial arrangement. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. Simple as that."

They deliberated amongst themselves, their expressions reflecting a mix of uncertainty and yearning for a better life. They weren't new to these streets; they knew the rumors surrounding this man and their instincts told them he was not what he seemed to be. However, they also knew they had no better options at the moment.

"We've got nothing left to lose, right?" one of them finally said, his voice tinged with resignation.

"Oh, don't be like that," Lucius replied with a smirk.

"Personally, I feel that running into you gentlemen was almost fate; I'm passionate about helping those who are less fortunate," he continued with mock sincerity. In fact, I'd say this is probably the luckiest day of your lives!" he finished with a smile.

The vagrants, deciding to accept the deal, stood up and nodded.

"Alright Mr. Blake. What do you need us to do?"

Lucius grinned and pulled out a slip of paper, seemingly out of thin air.

"Go to this address and ask for Myra Hindley. She'll tell you what to do. Farewell, gentlemen." he said, walking towards the alleyways as if taking a casual evening stroll.

Under the light of the full moon, Lucius Blake navigated the alleys, moving in and out of the shadows. He wanted his power to be noticed; it usually unnerved those he met with. Ahead, leaning on a wall within a nondescript, dark alley, waited Edwin Guthrie, the youngest scion of the illustrious Guthrie family. He was dressed simply, with plain pants and a hoodie with the hood pulled up, strands of hazel hair poking through the top. "I guess that's what nobles think dressing discreet looks like," Lucius thought, amused. The Guthries were one of the major families and were elementalists, primarily of the wind element; Edwin himself was an aeromancer.

Edwin stood straight when he noticed Lucius materialize from the shadows, his tall frame illuminated by the pale moonlight. His eyes, an unnerving light gray that almost blended into his sclera, sent shivers down his spine. Edwin exhaled, with a mixture of apprehension and determination as Lucius approached him.

"Lucius Blake," Edwin greeted him, his voice echoing faintly against the brick walls. "You're just as the rumors described you," he said, trying to mask his unease.

A wry smile played at the corners of Lucius's lips as he nodded in acknowledgment.

"I hope you aren't disappointed, young Guthrie," he replied, his voice smooth as silk and laced with mocking charm. "But I doubt you summoned me here to exchange pleasantries, right?"

Edwin's gaze hardened, his determination shining through his light green eyes. "No, I didn't," he admitted, his tone tinged with urgency.

"I seek power, Mr. Blake. The kind of power that will allow me to get rid of my brothers and claim my rightful place as the heir to the Guthrie family."

As he spoke, Edwin couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment mingling with his desire for power. He had always believed himself to be the true genius of the Guthrie family, overshadowed by his older brothers who basked in the spotlight of their father's favor.

"Why should they be the ones to inherit everything?" Edwin thought bitterly, his gaze hardening as he looked towards Lucius. "I'm the one with the vision, the ambition to take our family to new heights. Yet they treat me as if I were nothing more than an afterthought!"

Lucius's eyes glittered with intrigue as he listened to Edwin's words. "Ah, ambition," he said, the word hanging in the air.

"A noble pursuit indeed. Tell me, Edwin, do you truly believe you possess the strength to achieve your goals right now?"

Edwin faltered for a moment, uncertainty flickering across his features like a candle in the wind. "I... I suppose not," he admitted, his voice tinged with resignation.

"But what can you offer me, Mr. Blake? How can you make me stronger?"

Lucius stepped closer, his presence a palpable force in the stillness of the night.

"Please call me Lucius," he said with an eerie smile. "We are going to be partners, after all. And, as for what I can offer you, let's just say that your brothers will be met with unfortunate accidents soon, as a sign of my good will," he whispered, his voice a seductive melody that stirred something primal within Edwin's soul.

"Know that I can offer you power beyond your wildest dreams. But not for free," he added with a grin.

As Lucius offered him a chance to realize his ambitions, Edwin felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. The prospect of finally proving himself, of stepping out from the shadows cast by his brothers, was intoxicating.

"I deserve this," Edwin thought fiercely, his resolve hardening. "I'll do whatever it takes to claim what is rightfully mine," he thought, almost smirking with wide eyes, his greed evident in them. Hook, line and sinker.

"What do you want from me, Lucius?" he asked.

"You see Edwin, I work for someone, someone important." Lucius said with a smirk. "His business is simple and rather straightforward, nothing to worry about." he added with a mellow voice. "We deal in favors," he said.

"Favors?" Edwin asked, bemused.

"Yes, favors," Lucius continued. "We do something for you, you do something for us. Fair, isn't it?" he added with a smile.

"I suppose so," Edwin said, uneasy. His greatest wishes were finally in his grasp but this man before him gave him a sinister, creepy feeling. His instincts screamed at him to refuse and run away. However, he decided to ignore them. After all, the allure of power was too great to resist. With a resolute nod, he extended his hand towards Lucius, sealing their pact with a handshake that sent shivers down his spine.

"What do you need me to do, Lucius?" he asked, with renewed resolve. He had made his choice, and he would gladly pay the price.

"Oh, nothing much really," Lucius said, shaking his head with a sinister smile.

"Say, Edwin… ever heard of the Outcasts?"