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Pitch Black is the second arc of The Underground series

Chapter 10 of 22

In Cold Blood

Alias was a mercenary, and it was a rarity that he couldn't freely walk from territory to territory with ease and comfort. He had done enough business, paid enough lackeys, and smooth talked enough of the right people to make his life easy for one who knew no side. Alias had seen what an organization like the Lambda Mafia would do to a stray Nachtfuchs member who would cause trouble on their turf, and it hadn't been pretty. The only organization Alias would be at odds with would have been The Alliance, the one Xen Hets had been affiliated with. However, it was common knowledge that when Lazarus Plaza went up in flames the whole organization had folded.

Well, you know what they say. It's not what you know...

Still, there were places in the city that even Alias didn't feel comfortable going. He caught a cab and directed his driver toward the west end of Arcadia. Looking out the window, Alias watched the varieties of architecture pass by. Arcadia was a much older city than what he was used to. It wasn't the corporate look of Palamont, the gothic look of Graefenburg, or even the techno age look of New Ritmo, but rather an artsy take on the skyline architecture. Statues leaned out from building's edges almost as if they were reaching out for something. Their stone eyes focused on something that seemed so close and yet far away at the same time. Rotundas, arches and pillars all collaborated to form the unique look that was Arcadia. Alias had seen signs that Palamont was once like Arcadia, but renovations of the buildings had left it looking like it did; a combination of steel and glass.

As the cab navigated the streets, Alias noticed the buildings becoming less pristine and started looking the way they did because of neglect. The fascinating look of the pillars and arches turned into more of images of a bad dream, laced with decay. However, it wasn't the buildings that made Alias wary.

Checking his watch, Alias saw that it was nearly three in the morning. For these people, the night was still young. He knew they would be as excited to see him as Alias was about being here at three in the morning on this cold night. The cabbie had been shooting Alias nervous glances in the mirror, hoping Alias would identify his destination soon. Taking a hint, he asked the black canine to let him out at the corner of the next block.

"You sure you want out here, mac?" The driver asked apprehensively, as Alias deposited his cash through the receptacle of the bulletproof glass that separated him from the driver.

"Here's good." Alias replied, knowing what the dog was speaking of.

"Alright..." He replied, shaking his head and turning around in the seat.

As soon as Alias's boots hit the sidewalk, the cab was already in the middle of a U-Turn, heading back the way they had arrived. The one advantage Alias had on his side was the fact that the streets were relatively empty, due both in part to the temperature and time of day. His paws popped the back of his collar to the cold wind that blew down the street. Between the ambient city light and the glow of the neon lights from some of the bars, he had a decent amount of light. Light enough to be able to look around and see others walking around. Keeping his eyes looking in front of him, he couldn't help but noticing other pedestrians taking notice of him immediately. He could feel their cat-like eyes slithering over him and hear the questions in their mind about his presence here. However, the black fox didn't want any trouble. He had come to this hellhole for answers.

Walking about half a block, Alias stopped and turned to walk down a flight of steps that descended beneath a boarded up building. He could feel the drop in temperature caused by the concrete structure holding the cold better and acting like an insulator and keeping in the cold. After descending nearly a story below the street level, Alias came to a short hallway. He could tell that there was a bouncer at the door for a number of reasons. Even if Alias hadn't had acute night vision, sense of smell, or hearing, the bouncer's lamp like eyes gave off a pale glow as his yellow irises met with the fox's green ones.

Jaw set, Alias marched right up to him. The bouncer's slick black coat was figure fitting, accenting his wide frame and build. His brown, knitted flat cap was pulled down low over his eyes, casting a shadow over his stubby muzzle. Alias wasn't afraid of him. Not in the least. But still, Alias wasn't foolish. His answers lay beyond the steel door that the bouncer had access to. And he knew that you did catch more flies with honey. Alias would play this cool.

The bouncer's tongue flickered out, tasting the air. It made a wet flickering sound as it danced in front of Alias.

"What the hell you want, furry?" The bouncer's deep raspy voice asked him.

Alias's eyes immediately narrowed.

So that's how its going to be, huh?

"Nothing really." Alias replied in his own confident, yet dark tone. "Seeing how you guys run things down here... scaly."

The large green lizard was easily bigger than Alias when it came to size. He was like a bowling ball, picked for his muscle mass. But Alias had dealt with people double this guys size before without issue. Tonight he was hoping he wouldn't have to.

The lizard let out something that sounded like a mixture of a grunt and a threatening growl. Their open exchange of derogatory species slurs had caught him off guard. However, the ball was in the lizard's court. He had started it, and if he felt the need for retribution, then that was his prerogative. Alias had returned fire for a number of reasons. First of all, he hated, hated, being called "furry", unless someone was simply looking for adjectives. More importantly, Alias wanted this asshole to know he wasn't going to be intimidated by a bunch of fork-tongued fucktards.

"I've got business down here. Do you mind?" Alias asked nodding toward the door. He crossed his arms while never breaking eye contact with the lizard.

This caused the lizard to scoff. "You? Business here?" He laughed, his raspy voice reverberating off the brick catacomb. "You guys are dumber than you look if you think I'm just going to open my door. Hah!" His tongue tasted the air again.

Alias exhaled, growing more annoyed. "I'm not here for a fight, I'm here for Ethel. I'm sure she knows who I am."

"Shit." He replied again, still amused. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Can't get some from any of your own kind, got to try and steal our women away?" His harsh laughed echoed louder than before as he belittled Alias. "Can't you- shit, what's that term you furry fuckers use when you're fucking some-"

The darkness of the tunnel didn't allow for the lizard to see Alias's fist streak through the shadows, crashing with great force into his chest.

Slamming against the brick wall, his laughter was immediately silenced as the air was forcefully expelled from his lungs. Hooking his boot behind the bouncer's foot, Alias jerked forward, pulling his feet out from under him. He wheezed violently as he sat down hard on the floor, his scaly paws grasping at his chest as a livid pain burst through him with the fury of a heart attack.

Getting down close to the bouncer, Alias pulled his black Beretta out of its holster, pointing it in the lizard's face.

"I've had a very long fucking night!" Alias growled through his exposed fangs. "And if there's one thing I don't need, it's some wiseass scaly talking shit to me!" Alias pulled the hammer back on his pistol, the clicks it let off reinforced by the echo. "Don't make this harder than it has to be." He warned. "Now, I would like to see Ethel." Alias requested, keeping the hostility in his tone.

Alias could read the look of fear, humiliation, and anger in the lizard's yellow eyes. Subdued by a fox, Alias knew the bouncer hated him. Even if Alias had been non-confrontational, he still would have hated Alias simply for what he was; simply for the fur that grew on his back. Arcadia's Underground emphasized this social trend and even Alias found it hard not to fall into its clutches, regardless of the fact he knew it was wrong.

The bouncer looked up at Alias with contempt. Pushing his back against the wall, he forced himself back on his feet. However, his chest wasn't puffed outward as it had been before. His paw was still hovering over his heart in pain, as he breathed slowly trying to get oxygen back into his system.

Alias slowly holstered his pistol.

"Go on." He hissed, tongue flickering at Alias. "Anyone asks you, you came in the back, and you're on your fucking own in there!"

Alias nodded his consent. "Fair enough..." He muttered darkly.

As Alias passed through the heavy iron door to the club, he heard the bouncer call back to him.

"And if I were you, I'd watch that tongue!"

"Speak for yourself." Alias replied as he kicked the door shut behind him.

To compare Delirium to The Pit was about like comparing the two separate parties of a heaven and hell theme party. As Alias descended the cramped stony staircase to the club floor, he had to lean slightly forward, as the ceiling, even though arched, was still too low for him to easily navigate. The Pit was much smaller than Delirium, however, held about the same amount of people in the reduced space. Even with the excess amount of bodies, the temperature was comfortably warm. Pulling his arms in close to his body, Alias looked around and saw that his was the only blood that ran warm.

Keeping his chin up, Alias passed under the glowing hot red neon lights that illuminated this dungeon of a club. Catching a glimpse of his fur, he seemed to turn a bright red color before his eyes. However, it must have been just the club's lights messing with everything around him. He could feel the eyes of those he passed attacking him. He doubted there was another like him in the whole club. Even if there was, Alias doubted that he or she would even give Alias, an outsider, any thought. It didn't matter. Alias wasn't here to socialize.

Some of the reptiles simply moved out of Alias's way, like he carried some horrible disease they wanted no part of, while others stood deliberately still and in Alias's path to the bar. Eventually he pushed his way to the back of the club, and caught the attention of the gecko bartender.

He leaned his green paws against the bar, eyeing Alias up.

"Shouldn't you be flying a spaceship or something?" He asked spitefully, having to yell over the death metal music that resounded through The Pit.

"Shouldn't you be selling car insurance?"

"Well, we have a comedian in the house." The gecko retorted, folding his arms. "How long are you in town. We could use new material."

Ignoring his sarcastic comments, Alias cut to the chase. "I'm here to see Ethel."

"Look, buddy." He dismissed. "Ethel's a refined lady, but there are plenty of other girls here that I'm sure could suit your fancy."

Alias reached into his coat, and laid down three c-notes on the bar. "I think she'll like me." The fox shot back firmly.

The gecko looked down at the cash, back to Alias, then back to the cash.

"I'll see what I can do." He replied as his green paw gathered the money, pushing it down into his breast pocket of the silver vest he wore.

As the bartender disappeared into the back, Alias took a seat. His immediate reaction was to have the other bartender fix him a Scotch on rocks, but thought better of it given present company. Not having slept in nearly forty-eight hours, Alias could feel his weariness beating down on him like a sledgehammer. Everything that had happened, his jobs, Mick's condition, Jenna's safety; it was all hitting him at the wrong time.

Laughing slightly to himself, Alias realized that there was no good time for these things to happen. All the same, the fox wished he had a few hours of sleep on it. He was already starting to regret leveling the bouncer, knowing his attitude had gotten the best of him, and things could have taken a worse turn. He shook his head vigorously and took in a deep breath.

Lost in thought, Alias didn't see the gecko return.

"It seems that Ms. Ethel has been expecting you." He said to Alias, a slight smirk on his face. "I'd watch your step, fox." He warned, however his voice still spoke with a calm placidity. "Ethel is a very respected woman around here, and you'd best-"

Alias disappeared into a hallway next to the bar, cutting off the gecko's voice. Alias would let the asshole feel like he was laying down the law. It was just easier that way sometimes. As he walked down the darkened hallway, the only light was from the lamps hanging from the ceiling, creating a small radius of light along the floor. Between them, random scalies were pressed hard against the walls. Some were getting extremely friendly, having drunken sloppy make out sessions, while with others, Alias could see the male's slipping some of the girls money. Alias averted his eyes, as he knew that sometimes it felt like no price for solace from the loneliness was too great.

Coming to a door along the hallway, Alias paused before knocking. His paw hesitated before making contact with the wooden door. The bangs on the door seemed to reverberate through himself as he waited for an answer.

He straightened up as he heard the doorknob turn and the door open as far as the chain lock would allow it. Alias then found himself looking into the emerald colored eyes of a red female salamander. She wore a multicolored hat with beads hanging down around its edges. As soon as the door opened, Alias's nose recognized the familiar scents of incense that freely flowed every time he had been here.

"Men be speakin' of you; the one who walks with no name. The hour grows late, and the Shadow Foxy arrives at my door." She spoke with her predominant reptilian accent coming through.

"Hey, Ethel." Alias replied quietly. "It's been awhile."

Ethel gave Alias a once over, then shut the door as she unlatched the chain lock and opened the door fully. Ethel, a rust colored salamander accented by her yellow underside, walked backwards, apprising Alias. Even though she was middle aged, she held a figure that some females Alias's age would kill to have. Hanging off her hips, her skirt went down to her ankles, which had the beady frill matching her hat, and a black tank top tied her gypsiesque outfit together. As far as reptiles were concerned, Ethel had a time-tested beauty to her. This caused Alias to wonder why she had never settled down with someone, however, he assumed that was her business. "Lord, child, look at you! You be nuthin' but fur and bones."

"Christ Ethel," Alias replied tired, removing his trench coat, "I'm already scraping by on about three hours sleep since I've been back in Arcadia. Go ahead an ask me what kind of welcome I've gotten since I've been here."

"What a surprise this be. Ah-li-us, be-a running his tail off, out savin' the world. Silly foxy, be makin' the world a crazier place for his self." She replied.

"I doubt anything I do would constitute as saving the world." Alias grunted. "Not to mention it takes a VIP card to get to see you anymore! The asshole scaly at the door wouldn't have let me in if-"

A red paw warped Alias across the back of his head.

"You may be as old as me one day, but I won't be a-havin' that kind of talk in here." She chided Alias, who, even though agitated further by her strike, did nothing out of respect.

"Sorry, Ethel..." He grumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

Ethel nodded her approval of his apology. "Lordie, foxy." She replied exasperated. "The furries and scalies be a-hatin' each one another enough in this Cit-tay. They'ens don't be needin' more a reason than what they be havin' already. Ol' Ethel has seen enough of this crazy world to be a-knowin' tat not all you furry-ens don't be so bad." She took a seat on a couch, and looked up at Alias. "And vice versa, I be a-hopin'."

Alias ran his paw through his black hair. "I'm sorry, Ethel." He replied, taking a seat adjacent to her, and leaning back into the comfort of the couch. He moved his paw to his forehead, exhausted. "I've had a unique past couple of nights."

"I's be tinkin' so. Tis' not be every day I be seein' a foxy running ‘round these parts." Ethel nodded. "Even though I know you be lovein' dear old Auntie Ethel, I's be smarter than to be a-tinkin' you be here for a social visit. Tell me what Ethel can be doin' for you tonight, Ah-li-us."

"Just because I show up here in the dead of night, you automatically think I need something?" Alias asked, only this time there was no tone in his voice; he simply asked it as an honest question.

"Come now," Ethel replied, giving Alias a skeptical, yet mothering look out of the corner of her reptilian eyes, "we all be a-needing sumthin' in this world. Tis how The Underground be a-workin'." The elderly salamander leaned forward, letting her ringed fingers graze affectionately over Alias's ear, to which he felt his whole body convulse slightly at the touch. "Still be the touchy one I's see." The salamander commented, however her expression was soft as she looked over at Alias. "Tell Ethel what she can be a-doin'. Does the Shadow Foxy need money?"

Alias's paw flopped to his lap. "Ethel, first of all I couldn't ever take money from you, and second no. I think we both know money's not really an issue for me."

"Lordie, child. You be acting like ol' Ethel can't take care of herself. My girlies be makin' sure I don't be needin' nuthin'. I's be wantin' to say I's can be offerin' the same to you, ‘specially after all you did for your ol' Auntie Ethel."

"It was really nothing, Ethel..." Alias replied, feeling a little flattered, but still diverting his eyes from hers to anywhere else.

"Nonsense." She replied. "So what be it, my dark furred child? Recreational supplies?"

Alias laughed slightly, and shook his head. "I'm clean."

"What else could you be a-needin' then? Companionship maybe?" Her soft voice suggested. "I be havin' girlies who don't be a-carin' if you have the furries or scalies."

"Not tonight, Ethel." Alias declined. "Honestly, I just feel like my head's a mess right now."

"Ah," Ethel replied, standing up quickly from the couch. "I believe ol' Ethel be havin' just the ting. Keep speakin'." She spoke over her shoulder as she walked into her kitchen.

"A lot of shit's gone down." Alias called from the living room. "Just me being here could put you in danger."

Alias heard Ethel scoff from the living room. "Please," she scoffed, "they be a-havin' more problems than just you if anyone be a-comin' after Ethel." He watched her as she opened up jars of what looked like herbs and spices, dumping them into a small mug.

"This is different, Ethel." Alias replied. He knew very well that Ethel understood the trade he was involved in. This was different. This was some enemy that he had no idea how to combat. It was mostly due to the fact that he didn't know who his enemy was!

"I don't even know who these people are. For the first time, I'm actually concerned about all this."

"Ah-li-us, your Auntie be a-listenin' to you for many long years. I's never be hearin' you speak about such tings." Ethel replied, pouring hot water from her kettle, which was on the stove, into the mug. "Unless, you be a-fearin' sumthin'." She turned and exited the kitchen, carrying the steaming mug in her paws. "I's be wonderin', what the gods could be so bad tat tha foxy who be the bringer of the darkness to so many could be a-fearin' it." She paused, for a second, looking down at Alias. "You ain't be a-fearin' for yourself, do you?"

She offered him the mug, which Alias slowly accepted. His muzzle passed over the mug, and he took in the rich scent of many herbs mixed together. However, just the smell of which immediately allowed Alias to feel relaxed. It was an oddly pleasant feeling. One that he had no right to say he understood, because he truly didn't, but it was something that Alias could only describe as what it would feel like to come home...

He sipped at the warm liquid. Whatever the effect the smell had on him, Alias was sure the effect of whatever the hell Ethel put in his mug was increased threefold. However, the taste was bitter, and Alias couldn't help it as his face grimaced in revulsion.

"Well, Auntie Ethel's recipes not be known for their taste, mind you." Ethel commented on Alias's face. "But it be a-makin' you feel better." She said taking a seat next to Alias on the couch. She crossed her legs, as most females do, and leaned back, waiting for Alias to speak on.

"I know I can handle myself," Alias continued, feeling a little more calm and relaxed, "When the situation calls for it I know what I should do." He paused taking another sip of Ethel's concoction. "But what about the people who have to suffer because of me?"

"Real question Auntie Ethel be a-wonderin', is since when has tha Shadow Foxy been a-carin'?" She asked as Alias drank. "When you be doin' what you be doin', how could anyone not be a-sufferin'?"

"Thanks, Ethel..." Alias grunted in a sarcastically dark tone. "Always making me feel better."

"I's be serious!" Ethel replied quickly, attempting to console Alias. "Tink about it now. Who be sayin' those that be a-sufferin' not be deservin' of it?"

Alias shook his head. He knew what Ethel was talking about. She was referring to his targets that he would coldly execute without a moments hesitation. After doing background checks on them, Alias rarely ever felt remorse for his actions. Only shitty that he was the blunt instrument for the same type of person he was hired to take out.

"It's not like that, Ethel." Alias replied slowly. Setting his mug aside, Alias's world seemed to start moving with a gracefulness that warmed the fox from the inside. Such grace could only lead to the feeling that somehow, everything would end up all right. Right? "Right now, there are people, good people, who could have God knows what done to them. And only because they know me. I know I can say these people legitimately don't deserve it."

Alias watched as Ethel nodded. Even she was now moving smoother and calmer in Alias's green eyes. "You's be a-tinkin' they be better off without you?"

"Thought had crossed my mind." Alias replied quietly as his eyelids drooped lazily. "People seem to find tragic ends around me." He let out a depressed chuckle. "Which is why we parted ways a long time ago."

"Ah-li-us," Ethel soothed, her expression softening, "you be a-knowin' what happened to that per girlie not be your fault. You can't be a-blamin' yourself for tings you not be in control of."

"All the same," Alias replied, clamping his eyes shut trying to repress memories he didn't want to relive, "I don't want a repeat of history." Alias paused for a second as the unwanted memories flooded his head, only switching out past figures with the current ones he was thinking of. "God knows especially to her."

A warm smile slowly grew over Ethel's muzzle. "It always be strange to me." Ethel mused. "Those who we be a-wantin' to save from the darkness of tha world be the one's tat we be exposin', and they be the first we be a-hurtin'." Ethel sighed. "You's really be a-thinkin' her life be better without you?"

"I know she'd be safer." Alias confirmed.

Ethel, however, wasn't done. "Tink with Ethel for a moment." She instructed Alias as he seemed to melt into the couch. He seemed to begin to notice everything. Sounds, colors, Ethel even seemed to have a rhythm in her voice as she talked. He even seemed to be able to feel all the follicles of fur and hair that covered his body. "None can just not be knowin' someone anymore, Ah-li-us." Ethel replied. "If this girlie not be havin' you around, whats she to do if sumting does happen?"

Alias remained quiet, knowing she would come to this. It's where Alias's head had been stuck at; this perplexing ultimatum. Alias knew it would be easy enough to simply disappear into the night, leaving everyone behind so they were no longer burdened by his problems. Then again, whoever these people were had found Mick after Alias fled Palamont. If he left, would he eventually find Jenna collapsed on his doorstep, starved, tortured and drugged to the point where she didn't even know what was real anymore?

"Jesus..." Alias replied, exasperated, leaning forward, face in his paws. "Why can't things just be simple again? Go back to my bank account being my largest concern?"

"Tings never be simple when it be about tha people your heart be a-beatin' for." Ethel replied sympathetically. "Be honest wit' your Auntie Ethel, do you not be a-wantin' her wit' you?"

Alias took in a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. "There's something, I don't even know how to describe it," Alias started, feeling drowsy but comforted at the same time, making it all the easier to talk to Ethel, "but I know it comes from her. And it makes me feel so much better, especially about myself. It's like she knows how to say all the right things, and it leaves me feeling like I don't hate the world so much anymore. Selfishly, I know if she goes, so will the feeling." Alias rested his forehead on his paws in deep thought about the last half a year. "I'd be lying if I said she wasn't important to me."

"She be a-knowin' this, yes?"

"Hell no!" Alias retorted. "It doesn't even make sense to me, how would I tell the person who causes it?"

"Well," Ethel continued slowly, "it be seemin' to Ethel, tat tha Shadow Foxy need be a-doin' what he does tha best."

Alias raised what felt like one eyebrow, but at this point he couldn't be sure his muscles were operating correctly.

"Go fight for what you have grown to be lovin'." Ethel instructed. "A-fearin' be gittin' you killed, but your anger be a-keepin' you breathin'. So use it."

Even in Alias inebriated state, he pondered Ethel's advice with care. "Anger? That's bad news isn't it?" He asked. Ethel was just as very much aware of what Alias was capable of when he let go of everything and went into bloodlust. Alias had a rough time learning to control that early on. Since Jenna had come into his life, he did everything possible to keep the hideous monster inside him at bay, for he didn't want her seeing such an ugly side of him.

"Tink, Ah-li-us." Ethel replied. "What be anger but tha blend of passions your soul be a-carin' for? It all be bound by passions. Why else would we be riskin' er'ting when it be harmed, or taken from us? Be not a-fearin' to use wat the gods be a-giftin' you wit."

Anger.

Alias knew this emotion well. When or how exactly Alias had developed his cynical attitude towards the world, he couldn't say. But after seeing what people in this world were capable of, after having witnessed things that occurred below the deceivingly beautiful skyrises of cities around the world, it became a part of Alias, as much as his coat of black fur was a part of him. The darkness of The Underground and taken him and transformed him into something even darker; he had become pitch black. Bittered by what he had seen, done, and experienced, the only thing that was left in Alias was his anger.

Alias had seen the movies, heard in the songs, and read in the books about what happens when the protagonist "goes down the path of hatred", as they so poetically put. However, Alias knew those words were written by people who lived normal lives, taken from a mistranslated text written years ago, and based toward a self-righteous hero. Who ever said Alias was a hero? Alias considered himself none of the above. He had killed many people in his day. He lied, stole, cheated, and corrupted people because he had been paid to. Furthermore, he felt no regrets for his actions. Since when do the laws of some white knight in shining armor apply to him? Sure, he pulled a good deed or two back in Palamont, but in the end what had that done? Perpetuated the threats against her life.

Nodding silently, Alias realized Ethel was right, you couldn't just cut an association with someone. If Alias left, they would more than likely still come after Jenna, even with Alias gone. Then what? Could he ever truly forgive himself for allowing that to happen, for giving in to fear and running? It was too late for that. It wasn't worth losing the life he had grown accustom to in the last six months. Alias didn't have much of a choice in the matter anymore. Not if he was still going to be able to look at himself in the mirror anymore. Fear would get him killed, but anger would keep him alive.

Alias leaned forward slowly, placing his paw over Ethel's as a sign of graciousness. "Thanks, Ethel." Alias said, his dark tone seeping into his voice. "I think I know what I need to do now." The black fox stood up, head still slightly swimming, however, in such a way it felt good. The only side effect that was negative from Ethel's brew was he had the slight case of the weeble-wobbles that he took notice of when he started walking toward the door.

"Ah-li-us." Ethel called his name from her couch.

The shadow fox stopped at her door before turning around to address her.

Her yellow reptilian eyes met with his green ones. Looking back to her, Alias could see the look of mothering concern in her eyes.

"Ethel be keepin' no secrets from you. If you be leavin' now, you be dyin' an old foxy warm in his bed." She paused for a moment, almost looking as if she didn't even want to say what came next. "If you be choosin' to be a-travelin' down the dark path..." Ethel paused, her eyes fell to the floor. "You be leavin' this world alone in tha cold."

Alias nodded at her words. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be swayed by her premonition or simply warned of what was a possibility. Alias never considered himself a fox of faith. What he had seen left him to question God's place in society, or in Ethel's case "the gods". Regardless, it seemed that it wasn't up to Alias anymore. He'd rather die alone, than with the guilt of having abandoned those who truly needed him. Maybe a great evil needed to be done in order to preserve what decency was left around him. As tainted in blood and greed as Alias already was, why shouldn't it be him? He'd throw himself on that sword if necessary. Some may not appreciate his sacrifice, and curse him for the actions he took. Nevertheless, Alias would always know, and that's what mattered in the end. They would sleep safe at night because of the violence he committed.

Cold and alone.

Alias knew he came with certain abilities that some, if not all, would consider unnatural. He could do things that any normal person would have no idea how to do. Furthermore, he lacked the memory of how he came to be the skilled mercenary he was today. However, that didn't mean that Alias didn't have the same worries and fears that normal people did as well. He had no desire to spend the rest of his life in isolation.

Sighing, the fox turned and walked silently out the door and back into the sketchy hallway. Who gets what they want in this world anymore anyway? If that was how he was to go out, then so be it. Alias came into this world alone.

He could leave it that way.