Ballad of L'Obscurite: Chapter 1 – Justice in the Dark

Chapter 1 – Justice in the Dark

A professional torturer is taking a break from his work on an officer who is tied to a chair. The officer is barely conscious thanks to the things injected into him that keep him awake and make the pain inflicted on him all the more painful. His fingers and toes are all broken, his face has been burned by branding, and his arms and legs have been cut in most areas. Next, the torturer is planning to work on the officer’s body. I may have been too late to stop this torture from starting, but I’m ending it.

The lights in the basement flicker and the officer disappears from the room much to the torturer’s surprise. He looks around the room with his pistol drawn. He’s confused by what has happened since he didn’t hear anything and there’s no sign of the officer anywhere. Even the door into the room is closed and still locked from the inside by the key he has on him.

The sight of this is enough to make me laugh as I say, “Confused. Oh, you poor boy. If only your father taught you a more valuable skill than killing and torturing for criminals.”

“Shut up about my father! Who are you?” the man asks as he frantically looks around the room while being unable to see me.

“Someone who knows a lot about you just from looking at you. Still, I need to know more. Why were you torturing that officer?”

“If you know so much about me, then why don’t you answer that for yourself?”

I make the man fly into the torture chair and tied him to it.

“I can pull it out of you, but I’m sure you’d prefer it the less painful way.”

“Do whatever you want. I won’t talk.”

“Yes, it’s unfortunate that your father taught you how to both torture and endure it, however, he never taught you the methods I know.”

I cut both arms off the man, but he’s arms don’t bleed. He doesn’t even feel any pain. Instead, the pain comes when small spiders made of darkness start crawling their way out of his skin.

“What the hell?! What is this?!”

“The punishment for your sins. Now, tell me why you were torturing that officer.”

“N-no! This is just a trick. It isn’t happening!”

“Really?” Spiders start coming out of his legs after they fall off. Then, they start coming out of his eyes and mouth. “I’m sure they taste and seem real to you now. Are you ready to answer me yet?”

What seems to be a “yes” comes out of the man’s muffled mouth so I make the swarm of spiders disappear into nothing and his limbs reattach themselves to their original spots.

“I…I was hired to make sure the police were still on my boss’s side. That even though many of the people we made deals with are dead, that the deals will be honored, and that they’ll take our bribes and stay out of our business.”

“Will they?”

“That officer was a tough nut to crack, but I don’t think they will. My boss should still have powerful friends in politics and business. You should talk to them if you want to know more.”

“I’ll visit them soon enough. As for you…” Looking into the man’s soul, I see that his black soul is unwilling to repent of his ways. “I think you need more time to think about what you’ve done.”

I laugh as I make the man’s limbs fall off and spiders come out of him again. They’ll stop if he repents or kill him if he doesn’t. Taking the key from the man, I use it to help the officer out of the basement and bring him outside in the alleyway. I heal his wounds and cleanse him of the poisons in him with a single touch and give him time to wake up.

Once he’s awake, he says, “Thank you, whoever you are. You’re a miracle worker. What did you do to that piece of crap back in there? All I heard was screaming and talking, but I didn’t see you. I still don’t see you.”

“That’s not important. All you need to do is get back home safely,” I say. “Be sure to never fall to corruption or I, L’Obscurité, will return for you.”

“L’Obscurité?!”

I laugh as I enter the shadows and travel through them faster than a plane to my next destination. As I exit the shadows and take off my shroud and scarf darkness of darkness, I step out into the lights of Meridian city, looking up at its many gothic, art deco, and modern-inspired towers and then my reflection in one of the cars to make sure my suit, tie, and hair are all in order. Hmm. My hair is getting a bit long. Maybe I should get it cut soon. Besides that, everything looks good and I’m thankful that transforming and using my powers doesn’t affect my normal appearance.

It's times like these that I wish I had a personal limousine since the crowd to get into the meeting and party I’m going to is surrounded by the media and protesters and I have to wade through them to get to the front door. Thankfully, my status allows me to take advantage of the guards there so they can make a path for me.

“You always have to stand out, don’t you, Timeo?” Lancetto says.

I call out to my best friend, hug him, and walk with him into the building. Lancetto is dressed like the image of wealth he usually is. He wears a white top hat that has a red strap around it, a white shawl, a red bowtie, a white dress coat, a black vest, white pants, black shoes, and a cane with a golden hawk on it. His blonde hair is tied in a ponytail and his round glasses are more for show than anything since they hardly hide his green eyes.

“I do, especially since most people don’t see me nowadays,” I say.

“You could’ve taken a ride with me, you know? I would’ve got my limousine to stop by your house before coming here.”

“It’s fine. Besides, with the way I come here, I don’t need to worry about traffic going back and forth.”

“I guess that is a good trade-off. How are your parents doing?”

“Better than ever as usual, but I do miss them being at home.”

“You can’t blame them for wanting to make up for lost time at work. The hospital and charity need their help more than ever.”

“I know, I know. I am glad that they’ve awoken from their coma and are up as they were just sleeping that entire time, thanks be to God.”

“Thanks be to God.”

“Speaking of which, how is your side of the industry doing?”

“Fine enough. We’re still recovering from what that vigilante did to the entire city with his macabre display of killing many people in high places of power and exposing their crimes.”

“You mean L’Obscurité, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“He cleaned out a lot of the criminal scum from all aspects of the city, didn’t he? How’s that not a good thing?”

“Because it has massively decreased public trust in the government and powers that be. Surely, you’ve seen the protests and protesters that are outside this very building?”

“Yes, but still. I think he’s done a lot of good, more good for the city than the other heroes and vigilantes in this city.”

Lancetto and I sit down at our assigned table. On the table is the program for today, with utensils, a small glass of water, a wine glass, a small plate, and a dinner menu.

“Be careful about who hears you. People here might think you might do the same as him, be allies with him, or are him.”

“I’ll try. I’m not used to the ways of politics and business like you are.”

“It’s fine. Just remember that a lot is done behind closed doors so that the public doesn’t riot like it does now.”

“Yeah, I get it. Did your brother become a bishop yet?”

“He did, just last week.”

“Congratulations!”

“Eh. People on the clergy side of the Affare family obtaining places of influence in the Church is so commonplace that this occasion might as well have been his Baptism.”

“Any other news I should know about? I’ve also heard about a parishioner exposing the sexual crimes of the clergy. I hope your family isn’t mixed up in it.”

“No, we aren’t, and like I said, closed doors. You sure are asking a lot about current events and touchy subjects.”

“What can I say? It’s the result of not getting out much.”

“Shouldn’t you be studying medicine or being involved in education and charity like the rest of your family and its associated business partners?”

“I do office work here and there, but I don’t have a particular field I want to be dedicated to yet.”

“I get it, and you really have no reason to since your family is just as rich as mine, but we both need to work to carry on our family’s legacy.”

“I know.”

Lancetto grabs the program, looks at it, and says, “For example, Klinge Geben, of the Geben family. His family is known for scientific advancements, their farms, food production, and manufacturing tools and vehicles. Klinge spends all his time helping on the farms or in the factories and doesn’t come out to events like this because of the mutation that he suffered while working. Instead, he lets people from his company who work well for his company’s image come out here to make deals and be here in his place.”

“I’m sure he’ll teach me a lot when I meet him.”

“You plan to visit him? He doesn’t get many visitors from people outside of his company so it’s going to be very difficult to do so.”

“I have my ways. Both our families influence the field of science after all.”

He’s also a man whose industry affects all levels of society. It’s a shame that my powers can only give me the surface-level memories of a person without coercion and it’s only when I use my powers that I can know their memories. There are so many people from the highest levels of society who support the four core families of Meridian, all of whom should know something valuable to me to keep the city free of crime. A woman walking to us out of the crowd catches my attention. She has pale skin like me, light blue eyes, long black hair, a black dress, pink heels, a black hat with a pink rose in it, a white snake scarf around her neck, and pink lace arm sleeves.

“Who’s that?” I ask.

“Darcy Travail of the Travail family. You’d know her if you came to these events more often. Her family organizes the artist guilds, libraries, and museums,” Lancetto explains. Noticing the look on my face, he shifts as he says, “You ought to talk to her in private if you want to get to know her better, and if you plan on romance, as I said before closed doors.”

“Haha, shut up. It’s not like that.”

“Please, I know that look on your face when you’re interested in something or someone. She doesn’t like meetings like this so it’ll be easy for you to convince her to walk out for some fresh air or at least whatever kind of stinky city air that Meridian has.”

“It’s a charming, acquired taste that few love and feels nostalgic for despite how repulsing it may be to others.”

“You have a taste for the poetic, don’t you?” Darcy says as she takes a seat with us. “I don’t think we met before.”

“The name’s Timeo Severe. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Before I can say anything else, the party and meeting start. The organizers talk about how the four founding families; Severe, Affare, Geben, and Travail, and their allies built up Meridian during its founding so it could be what it is today. They then talk about current affairs such as the problems caused by superhumans like me, or rather, L’Obscurité who killed criminals and exposed the corruption within all aspects of the city.

They say, “We need to purge the criminals and filth from our midst so that these vigilantes don’t make us look incompetent, or worse, collaborators with the corruption that is killing our home, the great city, Meridian.”

This is the only thing that I clap for since it’s my greatest concern and why I’m here.  After the introductions of the families and topics of today are done, dinner is brought out for the buffet and the meeting and party will resume after everyone has had their fill.

“At least we’re going to be talking about something productive this time,” I say to Darcy.

“Yes, but all this talk never really does anything. These events are an excuse to meet and make deals with one another and show the public that we’re doing something,” she says.

“You’re right. Action speaks louder than words and I’d rather be doing something than talking about doing something.”

“Wisely said, Timeo.”

Looking over to Lancetto, he nods and rotates his hand, signaling me to continue talking.

“Darcy, speaking of actions, would you like to collaborate with me on a project? I’m sure the inspiration to create can be grown in the presence of struggle as shown in the many charities and hospitals my family owns and manages. There’s also the schools we can visit as well to give talks and collaborate with its students and staff.”

“That does sound like a good opportunity. Tell me more.”

Darcy is now smiling and looking at me with interest. In the background, Lancetto is giving me a thumbs up and looking back and forth at the balcony where people are smoking and drinking.

“Let’s discuss more outside. It’s a bit stuffy in here.”

“Gladly.”

Darcy and I walk outside and pick a spot where no one can hear us.

She looks out at the city and says, “The sight of the many buildings in the city made in different styles and modern enhancements inspires me to create a legacy that will last for centuries after I’m gone.”

“I’m inspired to do the same. I want to especially get rid of the crime and corruption in the city to such a degree that it stays safer for future generations,” I say.

“You think real change will come with our collaboration?” Darcy says as she looks at me as if reading my face for any truths or lies.

“I do. People need to see others acting virtuous so that they can do the same.”

“It’s a bit different for artists.”

“How so?”

“Artists make up stories and drawings inspired by reality, the thoughts in their head, and dreams to influence people to act. We can tap into truths through telling part of it while leaving the rest of it to fiction or interpretation.”

“Nevertheless, the ability to create such works of art is a divine gift and can be used to great effect. I think we can do great things together, Darcy. We can break the hold corruption has over Meridian and create a better future.”

“You seem optimistic for someone who has been held up taking care of his parents. I’m curious, why the sudden change?”

“You have to take care of your own before helping other people. Besides, the city would be worse off without the aid of my parents?”

“What about your siblings who are in the hospital?”

“They were lazy good for nothing who got what they deserved.”

“Hmm. You seem to approve of violence being done to people despite working in charity and health.”

“And you seem to know more about a person you’ve never met before. Tell me, am I the one who initiated the collaboration or did I fall into your trap?”

Darcy smirks and says, “Perceptive, I see. I have been wanting to collaborate with another of the four founding families and yours is the most tasteful to work with.”

“Why’s that?”

“The Affare family works in the industry of politics, business, and faith while the Geben family works in manufacturing and science. The fields they work in are susceptible to corruption while ours is purely virtuous.”

“Are you sure? The arts can teach lies and instill evil just as easily as they can teach the truth and promote virtue.”

Darcy’s smile widens. “Then you better keep a close eye on me and my work, Mr. Severe. I look forward to our collaboration.”

Darcy walks back in just as the meeting and party resume. As we sit back at our table, Lancetto moves his thumb around, silently asking if the talk went well or not. I think about it for a second before giving him a thumbs up, which makes him smile. Despite all the promises of families here to expunge corruption from their ranks at all levels, I’ll have to look into them as L’Obscurité to know if they really will and keep a close eye on Darcy as she said. This life as a hero is only beginning to get interesting.