Work Text:
Seven sat in an abandoned subway car he converted into a makeshift office. By the glow of bottled lightning, he wrote down what he gathered either in passing or extracted from more uncooperative sources.
Yamato: Leader of the Seventh Moon. Extraordinary swordsmanship. = Useful.
Paradox: Time thieves. All the same. Needless showboats. = Somewhat useful. Could be detrimental.
Jacob Lash: Posses great physical strength but an even greater ego. = May be useful. May be too stupid to fight outside of a controlled environment.
Vyper: No.
The participants that the Anvil’s Song had chosen for the ritual varied greatly in quality. All of them seemed willing to get their hands dirty but the effectiveness of each was questionable.
The Patron assured him that Ambition’s Spark was more interested in cultivating killers than those who already were. He doubted the sentiment once he heard someone like Wraith had joined its side but he didn’t quite care.
Kelvin seemed to also have joined its ranks as well.
That was alright. When he had won, he would grant him the insight to see his forgotten errors and then he would squash him like the annoying bug he was.
It was a straightforward plan, really.
Voices from outside disturbed his thoughts. It was either members of the Tunnel Rats or more teenagers he’d have to scare off again.
He cracked open the door of the caboose and listened.
“Ya tellin’ me ya don’t smell that?”
Southern drawl. Too old to be a teenager. Possibly another damn talking animal given their sense of smell.
“No?”
Also not a teenager. Possibly human given the fact they were unable to smell him.
“Let go of me ya d-“
“Shiv, he obviously doesn’t think we should go in there. Let’s just keep moving.”
Oh. Shiv. That Shiv. Baxter Society Shiv. His reputation of reckless tendencies preceded him. From what he heard, he had been contacted by both patrons. He was fine with either outcome. Either an overzealous distraction for the other side or an easy obstacle to overcome.
But that wasn’t what caught his attention.
What did was the sickly sweet coaxing from the other person. It was dripping with care and concern stooped in admiration. It revolted him.
“Fine. Could ya let go of me? Ya gonna rip my fuckin’ jacket.”
And just like that he had folded to them. How odiously affectionate for someone with a reputation as a tearaway to kowtow to a weakling.
“Pocket. Could ya-“
“Mo. He’s not going to do anything.”
Pocket. What a pathetic name for a pathetic doting pest.
To add to his revulsion, the two seemed to be acquainted with the Tunnel Rats called on by the other patron.
Seven was completely indifferent to killing, but at this moment he believed he’d rather enjoy it.
But if he did it right now, then he wouldn’t get to do it during the ritual. It would be better with an audience. Sure he could kill them in front of each other but making an example of them would be much better. Maybe he’d get a scream of horror or two to strike fear on the other side, but he’d settle for a gasp of horror. He wasn’t picky.
MANHATTAN. 2 YEARS AGO.
“Is it even possible that the Shadowlines align that far North? Surely the atmosphere would be too thin to allow for the formation of an Astral Gate.”
There they went again, confusing magic with science. None of these people knew the difference between their ass and a hole in the ground. He had to hold his tongue as Kelvin appeased one of the old money doubters.
“No, my friend! The Shadowline Nexus expands the entire world over and has since the days of Pangea. It has nothing to do with environmental factors, but spiritual ones!”
Kelvin sounded all too happy to correct an asinine assumption.
“So it has nothing to do with the spiritual beliefs of those that live there either?”
Of course it didn’t. There would be one in the middle of the damn ocean if that were the case.
“I can’t say that it does. Astral Gates are products of innate spiritual power of the Nexus. Nothing to do with religion.”
Kelvin once again kept his remark calm.
“But you’re certain that an Astral Gate is present in the Arctic?”
No, that was the entire reason they were sending him on this expedition in the first place!
He strode off before he could listen to any more of this drivel from someone who could afford to be educated in this subject ten times over.
He didn’t bother excusing himself and went to the refreshment table and downed the first thing his hand landed on.
He didn’t want to be here.
He didn’t want Kelvin to be here.
He didn’t want Kelvin to go.
“Edrick.”
He didn’t even turn to face Kelvin as he said his name.
“Don’t you have more simpletons to educate? With enough luck maybe you’ll be able to teach them the number that comes after two before the night’s over.”
Kelvin looked around, ensuring no one heard that.
“Not everyone is as learned on the subject as us, Edrick. It isn’t exactly something part of the standard curricul-“
“These people wouldn’t even know what an Astral Gate was if they didn’t have summer homes within a mile of one. The business and superfluous degrees they have taught them nothing about what they’re actually funding. As always, they’re waiting for you to do the work and bring back whatever they buy at auction.”
His voice was getting louder but he couldn’t care less.
Kelvin’s voice was quite low, trying to ease him.
“And what’s wrong with that? That’s how it’s always gone. They don’t have to understand it, as long as we’re funded, who cares if they haven’t read Dynamo’s work or know how an Astral Gate is formed?”
“…If you would have read Dynamo rather than just rubbing elbows with him you would have known he was destroyed by his work.”
Kelvin let out a sharp laugh,
“And here I’d thought you’d be the last person to warn me about the limits of magic…”
He turned around, voice sharp,
“I’m not speaking on morality and ethics, I’m speaking on self preservation!”
His shouting caused a few people to turn their heads.
“Edrick, we’ve been over this. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have the utm-“
“If these people knew what you were doing they wouldn’t be funding this because it’s a one way trip!”
More people began to stare.
“Ed-“
“The moment you found out about the possibility of Astral Gate you didn’t even hesitate to consider the possibility that you’re undertaking uncharted territory with the risk of one tearing you apart!”
The entire room went silent.
Kelvin looked around nervously.
“Edrick… if the Astral Gate is already open then-“
“Then you have an opening to a plane you know nothing about! Any rational scientist would form a hypothesis and come to the conclusion that it’s a fool's errand!”
“You’re going to shame me for scientific curiosity?!”
Kelvin had thrown caution to the wind and matched his volume.
“Who am I even speaking to right now?!”
His voice shook, and in a low whisper he said,
“The one who’ll have to identify your corpse.”
He turned sharply and pushed through the stagnant crowd. Kelvin did nothing to attempt to stop him and he wouldn't have even if he tried.
That was the last time he ever saw him alive.