Post by Nathan Saniti on Dec 11, 2015 19:07:05 GMT -5
The Infiniti Council - Chapter 4: Collecting Sins
(Author's note: Michael Wryght and High Tide are used with permission from their handlers.)
N. Saniti examined the obsidian star amulet, the ivory accents looming on their background ominously. Twisting it this way and that, even the faint lights of the night caused the amber at the center to glint invitingly, save for the four small... imperfections? He looked closer at the spots, each set almost geometrically equidistant from each other, seemingly swimming freely in the solid gemstone as if it were in no such state.
His impending tag title match against the Saints barely a whim of his subconscious at this point, he continued to consider the bauble in his hand, mesmerized. "I've collected Envy, Wrath, Sloth, and Gluttony," he hissed. "Now who shall I gain the remainder of the Sins from?"
He pondered as best he could, like a writer under a tight deadline amid a noisy room, his mind distracted by the amber possibilities he clutched, finding it difficult to focus. Inspiration struck him like a hammer to an anvil, sparks of red-hot and maddening insight spewing from the razor sharp scheme. "I know exactly who I can use for Pride and Greed." He began to chuckle maliciously at his own conniving. "I shall visit them as they sleep. After all, if I'm to become the Nightmare King, I must be sure to inspire those around me."
*******
Tide stepped ashore from the dinghy he rowed into the menacing-looking cavern. Far to the back, ran around from the swellings of the seas, lay a schooner in ruins. It's mast, broken in two, had long folded in upon itself and the canvas sails all but weathered away. Tide carefully scooted along the only narrow, dry path leading to the ship, pausing long enough to glance at the map he had procured. It had depicted this very ship and in this condition nearly to a tee. Upon the ship's likeness was a large red "X." Nodding approvingly, Tide quickened his pace to beat the incoming seas to his bounty.
Finally aboard the creaking wood of the vessel, he scoured the landscape for clues. A light, dim yet promising, shone from the deep recesses within the ship. Carefully checking each plank as he descended the stairs into the belly of the craft, he raised his lantern to discern the path to the light coming from outside a gaping wound in the side of the ship.
Barrels of rum and whiskey lined his every step to the goal. He absently petted the containers as he made his way as loving, distracted father would his child in the midst of watching a game. Nearing the source of the illumination, he peered into a large alcove. The entrance was only lit with a pair of torches. The real light came from another direction.
Stepping into the room, the reflection from the two meager torches intensified as he added his own lantern's glow. He fell to his knees at the marvel splayed out before him; gold and jewels in all manner of state and shape spread out into a never-ending, glorious landscape. Climbing as nimbly as the loose litter of precious metal would allow, he ascended to the top of the heap before him.
Laughter and tears of joy began to erupt from his soul as he spread his arms as if welcoming a long lost friend back home. Carefully perching his lantern on top of a closed chest, he bent to his knees, stretching his hands to scoop forth some of the booty, yet they returned to him empty.
Time and again, he attempted to seize the coins, jewels and trinkets surrounding him. Every time, it had the same result. He could feel the items shift in his grasp. He could even see them begin to move as he brought them to his bosom. Yet, every time, they remained in their position as if undisturbed. Growing more and more confused, desperate, and frustrated, he continued until he was exhausted from his efforts. Throwing his fists down in anger, coins went sprawling and nowhere at the same time.
"Greed," bellowed an odd little amulet at the pinnacle of the pile next to him. Tide lilted his head curiously, crawling cautiously to the device as if afraid that the mountain of goodies under him may disappear on a whim. "...Will be your undoing." The voice sounded vaguely familiar the more he listened, the more he drew near.
He examined the trinket as best he could without being able to touch it. He quickly shrunk back, noting that it had a hand enveloping it. The amber at the center began to glow menacingly. Without warning, another hand erupted from under the pile, clasping his neck in place, chocking him. Slowly, the treasure retreated from a rising figure beneath him.
N. Saniti shed the clanking camouflage as he stood, Tide in one hand, the bauble in the other. "Always wanting, never satisfied, aren't you, my friend? Wine, women, wealth? You are far too distracted with your Sin for your own good." Saniti gestured with the amulet, placing it directly in Tide's face. "I shall be your savior."
As he motioned, a flash of agonizing pain wreaked Tide's entire body. Black dust, flecked with hints of gold and sparkling jewels drifted from the pirate to the locket as he helplessly watched. "Since these things are all you have lived for, it may very well leave you an empty husk. Either way, you will hopefully emerge a better man for it." Drawing the last of the dust inside the amulet, Saniti dropped Tide unceremoniously to his backside, leaving a drained and worn man in his wake.
*******
Michael rode high, sitting atop the back seat of the convertible Lincoln, waving at the adoring onlookers cheering him safely from beyond the barriers at the edge of the sidewalks. Confetti of red, white, and blue fell like snow from the sky as he and his wife waves to the masses after his landslide Presidential victory. The gathered voters even cheered harder as he raised his black gloved hand to take over the salutations when his other hand tired.
With a clap of thunder, the sunny day quickly became overcast, the wind picking up torrential speed, yet no one except Michael seemed to notice. Keeping up the façade as they continued the parade became more difficult with the whistling winds. The confetti, still falling as if the wind were quiet, began turning to blood upon impact with anything living. Buildings started to erode and collapse around him as he looked on, taking scores of the unflinching mob as it did.
The once serene landscape outstretched before him appeared as if someone had set fire to the world. Still no one seemed to notice, save for the man of honor. He looked on in horror as he finally saw the source of the rumble of thunder and rushing winds. Out in the distance, a mushroom cloud grew.
"Pride goeth before a fall, Mr. Wryght," hissed a familiar voice as the car came to a halt. The chauffeur slowly spun around, tipping his top hat up over his coal black hair. "Isn't that what all of this is about? Your Presidential hopes? Your out of control ego that caused you to believe you could hold two PCW titles with one win? Your blind ambition as a member of the Black Hand in hopes of changing the world?"
N. Saniti lunged forward, clasping an amulet. It began glowing fiercely as the madman grimaced his disapproval at Michael. "Not to worry," began the magician. "I shall take the Pride out of you!"
Michael's body began to freeze as if it were no longer under his control. Black smoke poured from him and into the trinket in Saniti's hands. His body arched from the pain as the Mystical Madman extracted the essence. "Pride is at the root of all sins, Mr. Wryght, and you are the most prideful of all." Michael's every nerve felt aflame as the spell concluded, a rush of smog entering the bauble from his body.
"You hate me," concluded the now enshadowed Saniti as he stood in the doorway of the room Michael had bedded down for the night. His victim could only turn his head as the magician solemnly left. "Yet I'm doing you a favor. Learn from this. Not everyone you see as an enemy is your nemesis, and not everyone who calls themselves a friend has your interests in mind."
*******
Nathan re-emerged into the throne room of the Nightmare Realm from his nocturnal visits, the four imperfections in the amber of the talisman now numbering six, still equidistant, still swimming within the gem hypnotically. "Now only Lust remains."
He snickered, a grimace of unhinged inspiration covering his face. "I think I know a certain cotton candy haired girl who may be just the person to provide for my needs."
