A Romance Between Serpents: Chapter 2 – Sympathetic Targets

Chapter 2 – Sympathetic Targets

Chasing Idelle through the streets of Meridian, I push my motorcycle past even its custom limits made to keep up with fast superhumans like Idelle. When I get close to her, I notice that I feel tired and out of breath. It’s then that I notice that I’ve been running with my motorcycle, nowhere to be seen. At the sudden realization, I immediately lose Idelle as she speeds off into the distance.

“Idelle!” I yell as I resume running in a vain attempt to get her.

Looking around, I try to find a vehicle I can borrow, but then realize I must be under the same strange power I was under before. Have I ever broken free of it yet? I still feel that off-putting presence, and haven’t stopped feeling it, even after seemingly breaking free from it. John didn’t sound right, and this whole situation is wrong.

I stand still and say, “Hey! Who are you people? Why are you doing this to me?”

After a few seconds, I hear the voices of men, women, and children speaking to me in one voice. They say, “Call us, The Family. Our names are not important, but our goal is. The goal of your death, your lover, and infiltration of the Dominion.”

“Why? What did we do to you?”

Every light in Meridian goes dark, and every person disappears.

“Because of your methods and beliefs. Recently, you had no mercy, even on the religious who claim to share your beliefs.”

“They were fakes! They got what they deserved for the sins they committed and laws they broke.”

“The Dominion is also our target because of their ability to use force to get what they want, especially when they faced Nexum.”

“Nexum attacked us first and used their influence to outlaw us. We just defended ourselves!”

“What you did made the Dominion the most powerful hero association in the world. As the first international hero association, it can go into any country, any part of the world, and enact justice as it sees fit. At first, we were okay with it. You protected Meridian, and what you did made sense; however, more recently, Idelle and you go around shooting, hurting, and arresting those who don’t share the same beliefs as you.”

“We don’t do that just to anyone. We do that to those who break the law, not just because we disagree with their beliefs.”

“What is the law of the country other than that which says what’s right and wrong? Those who hold power have historically outlawed the beliefs of others, their practices, and ways of living.”

“I don’t think you’re going to see your beliefs outlawed. You’re overreacting.”

“Are we? You’re already using violence and force above what the law says, and soon enough, your actions will be seen as lawful. The Dominion fought and killed to reinstate itself, and you do the same.”

“We do it to protect Meridian, our country, and bring justice to those who deserve it.”

“You do it to those who live and believe differently. What one belief says is righteous, another may say it is evil. One religion calls one being a God, while another calls it a devil. Can you blame us for acting on our beliefs in self-defense?”

“I can say I can understand your reasoning, but I can also say you’re wrong in your beliefs. Free Idelle and me from this spell you have us under, and let’s talk about this before things get violent.”

“All you know is violence, Kane The Guillotine Mundr. There is no such thing as talk for you.”

My life’s history passes me by in front of my eyes, my many crimes, the times when I killed people who I thought deserved it before I got my powers, and the days when I stole from people who I thought had too much, when in actuality, I was jealous of what they had.

“That’s the past. I’m a new man now with eyes that see a person’s fate as judged by God.”

“As we have said, one man’s God is another’s devil.”

Times like these make me wish I had Timeo’s dark powers of justice. My power lies in my eyes and guns, but if I can’t shoot the person who is affecting my mind, I become entirely helpless. I walk around the city, seeing old memories pass me by, and consider what to do. Manifesting my pistol and revolver, I try shooting things around me to no effect.

“Struggle all you want, Guillotine. You won’t get out of this. Once you are broken, we will use our power over you to infiltrate the Dominion and change it for the better. Feel some solace in that and give up.”

“Do you really think that showing me my past and making me feel helpless will break me? You have another thing coming. I’ve already made peace with my mistakes and dark past. Besides, I do have one trick up my sleeve.”

With nothing better to do, I pray for help, hoping that I receive something.

“We have more than one trick up our sleeves as well.”

An explosion and Idelle’s screams break my concentration. Running toward her, I see that she’s tearing apart versions of herself who have pitch black skin. Around her are the bodies of people, most of whom I don’t recognize, but must be connected to her past in some way. Some of the corrupted versions of Idelle turn their attention to me to try to kill me, forcing me to manifest my revolvers to shoot them to push them back. I yell out Idelle’s name as I continue to push forward, dodging between attacks of the corrupted versions of herself until I make it to her, and accidentally get hit by her and sent flying down a few blocks. From a distance, I hear her call my name. She comes running to me and helps me get back up.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry for that!” she says.

“Let’s get out of here. We need a safe place to talk,” I say.

Before I can say anything else, Idelle slings me over her shoulder and carries me while her corrupted versions chase after us. I shoot at them as best I can until they seemingly stop chasing us and leave us alone when we reach the edge of the city, where Idelle puts me down. Catching my breath, I stand up and sit back down on a bench.

“I’m sorry again for hurting you. Are you okay?” Idelle asks.

“I’m fine. This situation is messy. Did The Family introduce themselves to you, too?” I ask.

“They did. They also showed me memories that I’d rather forget.”

“Don’t let them get to you. It’s the only way we win.”

“But how can we break free of this spell over us? Neither of us has supernatural powers like Timeo has nor the strength of will that my brother does.”

“You’re stronger than you think. Here, take my hands and let's pray.”

Idelle breathes in and out and takes my hands. Together, we silently pray until interrupted again by The Family, who change the area around us. We see a home, some kind of church, and various places in Meridian, like an office, school, playground, and hospital.

“We’re simple people with unique powers,” I hear them say. “All we want is to live how we see fit.”

“Then leave us alone, and we won’t bother you. I promise to pretend not to speak of this or go after you if you do,” I say.

“We don’t believe you because of your history, Guillotine. We especially don’t trust your girlfriend either. She has a history soaked in more blood than yours as an assassin and torturer for her blood parents, and past that, for losing herself to the black snake on her back. Do you know how many innocent people she killed to find her brother when he was lost?”

“It’s true,” Idelle says.

“It’s in the past,” I say.

“I’m not a good person. I’m a monster.”

“So am I, Idelle, but we can’t let that define us.”

“You both are nothing more than monsters, killing and hurting people for a living under the delusional justification that you’re making the most of what you’re best at.”

“Idelle, think about the children we saved, the innocent people we helped, and all the bastards who got what they deserved.”

“But…”

“Don’t think about what they’re saying. They’re trying to make you focus on the negative and not on the good that we do.”

The Family says, “What good do you do? You help people just to keep and grow the power you have. None of it is honest. All of it is self-righteous, brutal violence. You even hurt each other, just as you have already shown.”

“I did hurt you when I lost control, Kane. They’re right in that aspect.”

“So what? I got back up. I can take it. I told you that I love you anyway, despite your flaws, and I mean it.” I hold Idelle’s hands close to my chest. “Idelle. Please. Trust me.”

“I…I do.”

I kiss Idelle on the lips, and she kisses me back. I then rest my forehead on hers, close my eyes in prayer, and hold her hands. She does the same as memories of the past yell at us about our flaws and mistakes. When they become intense, I grip Idelle’s hands tighter, and she does the same. Eventually, they fade away completely, and a deafening silence takes over. When we open our eyes, we see that we’re back at the bar restaurant we were at before, except everyone is asleep, either resting their heads on the counters, tables, or floors. We try to wake them by shaking them and shooting my guns in the air. Nothing works. Even Timeo and John are out cold, and nothing affects them.

“I still feel that off-putting feeling when The Family’s power first took hold. Do you?” I ask.

“Now that you mention it, I do. Do you think we’re still under their spell? Maybe we’re not truly awake yet, and this is another trick. My brother is never phased by physical ailments,” Idelle says.

“Timeo is not bothered by any attacks, either physical or supernatural. Whatever the case is, we beat their first trick and they’re oddly quiet now, so I’m confident we can beat whatever comes next.”

“I hope so.”

Idelle and I walk out of the bar restaurant, hand in hand, mentally ready for whatever our newest and most challenging foe yet will throw at us.