EG: The Devil Might Lie

The silence that filters throughout the office of something broken only by the sound of a bottle hitting the table.

and it is a noise that seems to echo out before quickly fading away. Sitting at his desk, a man just sighs to himself, as he drinks from his cup before setting it down beside the bottle he had on his table. His expression isn’t twisted by annoyance, or regrets, or even that drunken high, rather it’s laced more with boredom than anything.

He pours himself another glass and starts to down it, stops half way before leaning back to make himself more comfortable. In glancing to the side of his desk the man finds a collection of notes both in his writing as well as in his forebears and takes a moment to look them over.

The notes concerned, as he liked to put it, magic bullshit; not that stagehand bullshit you see at parties but actual magic bullshit. Or at the very least the closest people could get a hold of; demon magic.

That was what ‘human’ magic was at the end of the day; demon magic that they managed to get a hold of through either some kind of demonic pact or objects. Either case, what humans could grab hold of was nothing in comparison to what a demon could pull off.

With a light flick, the man returned the papers to his desk, not even bothering to check where they might end up before just leaning back and seeming to think.

Demon Magic… never quite understood why Devil’s went about sharing their dark gifts with humans. But he figured that it was something that helped them better influence those they turned their gaze to. Either way, getting ahold of those dark powers allowed human to recreate some of the demon's more esoteric abilities. Some used them to create ‘miracles’ some used them to create ‘curses’ or other abominable things. And he’d seen many abominable things brought into reality by demon magic.

With that being said it didn’t stop him from studying the art; trying to break it down into a scientific method he could accept and share with others.

If he could do so, the things that could be done for humanity…

The man chuckled lightly. “As if I originally planned on doing this for humanity.”

His reasons for studying demon magic, and everything related to it; were all to further his own personal goals.

Really that was probably the reason a lot of people studied anything.

Or maybe it was just him.

“Honestly, it doesn’t really matter.” It really didn’t. Pouring himself another drink the man took a minute to relax for a moment longer before deciding to get to his feet and headed over to his coat rack and grabbed a coat and threw it on. That done he retrieved his bottle and started heading out.

Walking down the halls of a building complex, the man took the time to run a hand through his charcoal colored hair as he checked in on the others as he made to leave.

“Vein.” Stopping, the man turned himself away from the bottle as he saw one of his associates leaving a room. They looked exhausted, not to mention annoyed.

“Yo.” Vein greeted them as he returned to his bottle and took a drink before passing it over. His associate didn’t even question the bottle being offered, instead chose to practically snatch it away before downing what he could. “Rough day?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?” Vein shrugged as he grabbed his drink and looked at how much was left in it.

“What do you think?” He remarked, shaking the bottle before finishing it off. “Let me guess, we lost a few more.”

“Fraid so.” His counterpart grumbled as they both started walking away from the room they had resting across from them, as well as the corpses lying lifeless on the tables. His companion reached into their pocket, pulled out a pack of smokes and bit into one as he pulled it out.

“Careful with those.” Vein grumbled. “You keep taking those your lungs are gonna give out one of these days.”

“You’re one to talk.” His companion grumbled, before lighting his smoke up. “You should have liver problems by the end of the day.”

“Should is the key word there.” Vein muttered as he tapped where his liver would be. “But this thing ain’t gonna kick anytime soon.”

“So you say.” His counterpart let out a trail of smoke as they walked on. “I can’t seem to get a break.” They said after a while. “Even with the notes we picked up from the Order, we’re still having some difficulty binding demonic energy to human tissue.”

“It can’t be helped.” Vein stated. “We have Agnus’ notes, but only what he felt a need to write down.” Vein admitted as he raised a finger. “Everything he didn’t write down concerning his Ascension Ceremony, was likely stored up here before he died.” He tapped his skull as his counterpart made a noise.

“Yeah, I know… still.” The smoker muttered. “If we could have extracted the stuff straight from his head that would be great. It would help with the Devil Eater project we’ve been entrusted with.”

“You’re right.” Vein admitted as the two walked on, stopping as they reached the breakroom and took a seat. “Still, in the words of our esteemed Director; to ensure the survival of humanity, we must succeed.” He declared, almost mockingly. “And we have, to an extent, anyway.” Vein admitted as he leaned back in his seat and stared at the ceiling. “We have succeeded in recreating the Order of the Sword’s Ascension Ceremony, and with it we’ve successfully created several Devil Eaters.” He admitted. “But we have more failures than successes.” He stated. “Less we can find a safer way to bind the demonic power to humans, our body count is going to eventually surpass the demons.

“Agreed.” The smoker admitted taking another puff. “I wish this was easier.”

“Anything worth doing is never easy.” Vein muttered. “Still, if we’re talking about continuing to succeed in this Devil Eater Project, I recommend a more thorough screening concerning potential volunteers.”

“Oh? Why’s that? His counterpart asked. “Getting concerned for the wellbeing of those we bring in, that’s not like you.”

“You’re right, it’s not.” Vein stated. “But I have noticed something throughout our trials and errors.” He admitted. “Those who survive the process of becoming Devil Eaters possess more than just a strong body, they possess a strong will as well. Without that factor they have a far greater risk of becoming a demon we have to put down.”

“I see~” Vein’s counterpart muttered, leaning against a wall as he took another drag from his smoke. “A strong mind to match a strong body.” They muttered. “Yeah… that make sense. If the mind can’t handle the stress from being introduced to demonic magic, then why would the body be able to handle it as well?” They muttered. “Isn’t there some old martial arts saying about that? Mind and body being in harmony or something?”

“Yeah something like that.” Vein muttered. “If I’m right, a more thorough screening for mental fortitude will result in far better results. It should also weed out those that can’t handle the pressure, without the risk of needless deaths.”

“Agreed.” His counterpart muttered as they pulled out their cellphone and started making a call. “Hey boss, it’s Lumen.” He started. “You got a minute, Vein just brought something to my attention.”

Seeing that his counterpart was drifting away now, Vein took a moment to lean back in his seat as he took the time to look at his watch. “11:45…” He muttered to himself before lowering his arm and just stared at the ceiling for a moment. “I’m gonna check out for a bit, go for a quick walk..” Lumen just gave him a thumbs up as Vein got to his feet and started to leave.

“Yes… sir?” Lumen muttered as he seemed taken back by something. “Oh… ok… Vein?” Vein paused as he turned to his colleague. “Before you leave, someone wants to talk to you.”

“Of course.” Vein grumbled as he rolled his eyes. “This person got a name?”

“Mi Amore Cadenza.” Vein froze for a moment before taking a breath.

“God fucking damn it.”

Mi Amore Cadenza.

That was a name he hadn’t heard in a long time.

He saw her as a friend once, a close friend at that.

Course that was a long time ago; before they got in that fight that ended things. Well, if you could even call it a fight, he remembered her yelling a lot; questioning what he had done.

Walking to the main lobby, Vein ran a hand through his hair as he took a breath. “Fucking hell.” He muttered looking ahead. “It’s been a while Cadenza…”

Mi Amore Cadenza… Cadence…

She was without a doubt beautiful.

Probably one of the most beautiful women you’d find in this day and age..

Often she had a smile that would light a fire in a man’s heart… not to mention their loins.

She didn’t have that smile on her face this time, it wasn’t flipped upside-down either, now was it locked into a fine line.

It was… uneasy, perhaps that was the right word.

“Vein…” Cadence muttered as she looked at the man. “You look well.”

“You look like you could use a nap.” Was his disinterested remark.

“I probably could.” Cadence admitted as she looked elsewhere for a moment. “How have you been?”

“What do you want?” He wasn’t going to do this today. He had no interest in beating around the bush and trying to make small talk to ease into things.”I know you’re here for something, so let’s cut to the chase.”

“Straight to the point like always…” Cadence muttered as she looked around. “Is there somewhere where we can talk in private?”

“The closest thing I can get to privacy is the cafeteria, or outside.” The man stated. “Take your pick.”

Cadence turned slightly, looking to see the entrance of the building that she had just come through and peeked at the outside world. “The cafeteria is fine.”

“Alright.” Vein muttered, turning around so he could lead the woman further into their complex. “Stay close, I don’t want you to get lost.”

It’s not that long of a walk to the cafeteria, but that doesn’t mean it feels like one. The silence between the two makes it feel like time has slowed to a crawl.

“Vein I’m…” Cadence begins as they walk on. “I’m sorry.” She confessed. “I was in the wrong, I shouldn’t have…”

“I know.” Was all Vein said. “Let’s leave that in the past eh?”

“Vein-”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” He said, a sense of finality in his words.

“Right.”Cadence fell silent as they walked into the cafeteria and found a seat somewhere.

“So…” Vein began. “What can I do for you?”

“I… we need your help.” Cadence muttered. “No doubt you know how things have been since that giant tree showed up in Redgrave.”

“Qliphoth.”

“What.”

“The demonic tree.” Vein rolled his eyes. “It’s called the Qliphoth.”

“You know its name?” Cadence paused for a moment. “Of course you know its name, you’re well versed in all things demonic.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” He agreed.

“Anyway… since that tree appeared, there’s been more demons popping up all over the world and Auntie… she’s worried they might be coming to Canterlot soon.”

“So she want’s someone there in case something happens.”

“Yes.”

“She want’s Dusk there, doesn’t she?”

“Yes.” Cadence repeated. “I know she said it’s just for work, but… I know she want’s to try making amends for… everything that happened.” She admitted. “She knows it won’t be easy, but… she want’s to try…”

“Not surprised.” Vein muttered as he looked elsewhere. “You know Dusk probably isn’t going to be all that interested in going back.”

“I know.” Cadence muttered. “But… can you-”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Vein muttered as he reached into his pocket and pulled out some cigarettes. Cadence just stared at the man.

“Just like that?” Vein shrugged.

“Just like that.” Cadence couldn’t hold back the noise that left her.

“Always so straight forward.” She mutters, looking down. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Vein states. “You’re the one who has to convince Dust to head over there.” He admitted. “You might need some kind of incentive.”

“I have one.”