More than our Masks: Chapter 3 – The Seventh Family

Chapter 3 – The Seventh Family

Following the people in crow skull masks, we find ourselves even deeper in the undercity. Here, we find people with pale or mutated skin or bodies with severed horns on them. The buildings here are all from the seventeenth century and seem to be the original historical buildings rather than the ones found on the surface. They’re updated a bit with modern electrical lighting and have steel exteriors that act as a shield. Holy crosses, images of saints, and other sacred imagery can be found on and in every building we pass, and people pray in the streets to add further spiritual protection.

A man with many severed horns on his body, head, arms, and a silver crow mask approaches us, accompanied by others wearing similar crow masks of varying colors. He removes his mask and reveals his face with orange and red eyes, and a calm expression, and says to us, “It’s an honor to finally meet you, Timeo Severe. My name is Interitus of the Cadaverosa family. Why don’t you transform back to your normal self? We’ve kept our side of the undercity safe for generations.”

After looking into Interitus’ memories to confirm it, I agree, and transform back into my normal self.

“I know you looked into my memories first before making a decision. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not offended by it. It just confirms to me that you’re a smart man,” Interitus continues.

“I’m glad you see it that way. Tell me more about your family’s history so that my apprentices here aren’t kept in the dark,” I say.

“Walk with me.” We walk with Interitus as he continues, “Meridian was first independently founded by the Severe, Affare, Geben, and Travail families, and when the more powerful government of the land came, the Ellory family came to bring order to it. Meanwhile, they didn’t know that the demonic sixth family was the one causing trouble and trying to sow corruption into the roots of the city, and we, the Cadaverosa family, were the ones keeping them at bay. In today’s terms, we’d be considered superhumans, heroes, and vigilantes.”

“I always thought it was weird that superhumans were not being mentioned in Meridian’s history, despite them being part of all history.”

“We made sure to keep that secret. Back in the day, superhumans were called Nephilim, freaks, saints, miracle workers, witches, and so on, so it was best that we were hidden so as not to be hunted down or taken advantage of by countries or ruling bodies. Still, we kept an eye on all of Meridian’s dealings and have people in all families, including your own.”

“Will you be more open? The world is more accepting of superhumans and vigilantes.”

“Because they can control them and give normal people superhuman abilities through scientific or spiritual experimentation, or both, such as in Coronamento’s case. No, we do not need to go public. We’ve comfortably lived beneath people’s noses for generations, and we’ll continue to do the same for future generations. The only reason we revealed ourselves to you is because our people with mental and spiritual powers have evaluated you for years, and finally decided that you were trustworthy and wouldn’t expose us. Even if you do, our powers will allow us to make this place look abandoned even as we’re close by you.”

“I thought you’d have backup plans upon backup plans since you’ve been able to keep yourselves secret for so long. You’re right to trust me. I won’t turn on men of the same faith and will respect your privacy because of all you’ve done for Meridian without due reward. Speaking of which, I could secretly bring food, water, and more, if you wish.”

“No, we need to live in perpetual penance for the sake of Meridian’s sins and those of the sixth family. Though if I could…No, forget I said anything.”

“Please, continue.”

“…you have a wide range of suits, such as the red one you have now. Do you think…”

“You’ll have one. I have plenty since I wear one of every color and pattern for each day. I have an appearance to keep up, after all.”

“No, I don’t need one.”

“What if you want to go to the surface? You’ll have to look normal to blend in. Please, I insist.”

“Seeing superhumans is normal nowadays…but…okay, fine. Anyway, back to business. Another reason we revealed ourselves to you is that your newest ally, Polina, has been guiding you in correctly dealing with the sixth family. As you can see from my and some people’s appearances here, those affected by the sixth family or its members can be converted and saved.”

Looking back at Polina, I see her have a look of smug satisfaction on her face, which I smile back at.

“Yes, she’s a blessing to our team. Would you happen to know the location of the head of the sixth family?”

“If we did, we would’ve severed the head of the hydra centuries ago. They’ve dug themselves deeper into the undercity behind rubble, blockades made of the flesh of their victims, and other cursed tricks, but I think your powers and those of your allies can break through them with a bit of our help. Are you ready to go now?”

“Of course we are. The sixth family has been corrupting the innocent and getting away with evil for too long, and the thirst for justice must be quenched. Isn’t that right?”

Polina, Kane, and Raziel vehemently agree with me, which brings a smile to Interitus’s face. Before we head out, we pray together for God’s protection over our souls and minds, the primary targets of the sixth family. Afterwards, we set out, and Interitus led us to the series of barriers he mentioned. We deal with the guards near it and assess the challenge ahead. The walls seem fused with human viscera and exude a cursed aura, whispering temptations to me. The voices grow louder and harder to ignore as everything shifts around me, even as I resist in my L’Obscurité form.

“You are more dark hero than faithful servant,” the voices say. “Your wife and infant children worry about you day and night, and even though your wife knows you’re invincible, the memory of seeing you shot in the head by your brother haunts her memories and dreams.”

I pray for strength as I try to allow my dark powers to push my way through the barrier. Looking around me, I see that I’m alone, save for the bodies of criminals, villains, and people I’ve killed and met through my life.

“Their blood stains your hands. You’ve killed more people than you’ve saved, and it’s nothing to be proud of, no matter what excuse you use. You have more control over your powers than you think, and by acting as a conduit for justice, people are put through sadistic tests of pain to force them to repent.”

Continuing forward and ripping through barriers and demonically possessed guards, I see the gored bodies of my wife, children, and friends.

“This is the fate of all who are allied with you.”

Next, I see the hanged bodies of my siblings and parents.

“No one, who is a hero of any kind, can forever protect their loved ones from death or a tragic fate.”

The entire room around me is engulfed in flames as I see Raymond, Ralph, and other good cops and heroes get crushed.

“Not even the virtuous are safe from your so-called powers of justice. Why don’t you give up your powers or do nothing? You’ve done it before and tried to give your powers back to the source of them before. You already know what must be done.”

I remember the good I’ve done and continue to tear through the barriers and demons in front of me. A hand then reaches my shoulder and fills me with comfort. Turning around, I see Polina pushing me forward, who is then followed by Kane and Raziel. I can’t let them down. I can’t let anyone else down! With their strength backing up, I push forward one final time and break the spell that’s taken hold of everyone’s mind. The veil of the spell is now lifted, and we see broken structures, bits of flesh, and an area drenched in blood around us. Most of the members of the seventh family have survived, while others sadly died.

Interitus comes up to us and says, “I knew you’d all be the keys we needed to get past their barriers. Let us continue to the final test.”

We gather ourselves and move forward as the seventh family sanctifies the area with prayers, holy oils, and sacred salts. Meanwhile, I have a sneaking suspicion that the fight with the sixth family won’t be the last challenge we face today. Perhaps it’s just the remnants of the temptations I encountered or their whispers still echoing in my mind. Still, I sense that the fight for justice on the surface must be addressed next, not only because the battle in the undercity will soon be over but also because something is brewing there due to the lack of heroes and the power vacuum left by Raziel’s fires. I keep this thought in the back of my mind so I can focus on the task ahead, as I can only tackle one difficulty at a time.