LIGHTNOVELONLINE LXXXII. The Price to Pay
Virno: W-who is this person, Greed?
Greed did not reply, opting instead to proceeding up the building's stairs in silence.
Virno: Dammit...
After what felt like an endless climb, they finally reach the floor where the sole guest resided. With a decisive knock, Greed makes them know they have visitors.
Greed: Know she will not see you, neither will she hear you. You don't belong here.
Virno: She...?
As the door opens, a face that Virno knew all too well greeted them on the other side.
Anya von Virtus: Y-yes? Can I help you?
Virno's eyes widen, acknowledging what her presence in the cradle signified.
Greed: Sorry to disturb you, ma'am. I'm just making sure your room is to your liking.
Anya opens the door slightly more, as she looks around the room with a pleased expression.
Anya: Everything is perfect, thank you...
Virno: No... NO...
Fighting back the tears, Virno looks in despair at his mother's image.
Greed: I'm glad to hear that, ma'am. If I may ask you a question... Do you know why you are here?
Virno: G-GREED... WHO DID THIS...?!
Defensively channelling his sadness into anger, Virno's mind defaults to vengeance.
Anya: You know, I... I'm not really sure. I can't remember anything before arriving, actually. Haven't I always been here...? This place... Feels like home to me.
Greed: Well, most people do tend to find their way back here, eventually. It is only a matter of time, really. Say... I do apologize for the barrage of questions, but... We haven't met before, have we? I have this strange sensation we may have...
Still in the shape of Virno, Anya looks at her own son's figure... But does not recognize him.
Anya: I don't believe so... I'm sorry.
Virno: GREED, TALK TO ME! EXPLAIN THIS RIGHT NOW...!
As Virno attempts to grab onto Greed, his limbs phase through his body. As they do, Anya seems to become frozen in time. He then turns to Virno, addressing him directly.
Greed: What is it...?
Virno: WHAT IS IT?! HOW CAN YOU FUCKING ASK THAT?!
Though he spoke to him directly, Greed chose to not look him in the eyes, focusing on the ground below instead. He did not want to see the young man in such a state.
Greed: People lose their memories once they wake up in the cradle, Virno. Their old life is gone... A new one awaits. The only thing she kept from her old life was her form... Nothing else.
Virno: Gone...
He cannot hold back the tears anymore. They start running down his face.
Virno: Mother, too... It's not fair. IT'S NOT GODDAMN FAIR! WHO, GREED?! WHO KILLED HER?! TELL ME!
Greed shakes his head with a disappointed look in his face.
Greed: I don't know. I'm not omniscient.
Virno: Not omniscient...? CUT THE BULLSHIT! IF YOU'RE NOT OMNISCIENT, HOW COME YOU KNEW SHE WAS HERE?!
Greed: I am attuned to the cradle... Every new arrival, I acknowledge. Where they came from, how they died... That, I cannot tell. That your mother had passed and woken up here is all I know... You will simply have to believe me, I'm afraid.
Virno: Believe you... I guess I have little goddamn choice. At least your horrible prophecy seems accurate enough!
He retorted with an increasingly angrier tone.
Virno: My father killed himself... Now my mother's gone, too. Faya is at the brink of death. Ballo has gone blind because of me. Even the damn driver who was supposed to escort us... Even his life hangs in the balance because of me! Everyone around me really is destined to suffer and die, is that it...?! IS THAT IT?!
Greed sighs deeply. Time seemed to remain frozen around them.
Greed: It is no prophecy, Virno... It is simply the most probable fate. You sit at the centre of a war, one that has been brewing for centuries, one whose outcome may be decided by he who wields the sword's power... All sides want you. All sides need you. To enlist you in their ranks is to enlist victory itself. As such... They will spare no expense to get you. Those who protect you, those who defend you and keep you hidden... They are mere obstacles. It is only a matter of time until the big players overcome them. Only a matter of time until they get you.
Virno shook his head with a disgusted look in his face, as tears streamed down his cheeks.
Greed: You may not be the one to kill them... But you will be the one who brings about their death. That much has already been proven, with you as the principal witness.
Virno wipes the tears from his face, turning around to face the room's door.
Virno: Alright... I've seen enough. I get it. This is the pain I was supposed to feel, then...? Pain that is beyond physical?
Greed's expression betrayed a certain regret.
Greed: Y-yes. I apologize it had to be this way.
With a trembling voice, Virno struggles to regain his composure.
Virno: T-take me back. Just... Take me back.
With a melancholy nod from Greed, time resumes around them.
Greed: Sorry to disturb you, madam. My mistake. I wish you a pleasant stay...
Anya: T-thank you...
Closing the door behind them, Greed and Virno make their way back down the stairs.
Virno: From now on, I'm doing this alone. Nobody else is dying because of me.
Greed: ... I understand.
Virno: Do you...? Then you understand that I will need your power to survive? That if anything else comes my way...
Greed: It shall protect you. But... Your body will break.
Virno: So let it break. All that matters is that I reach the sword... With its power, nothing will stand in my way again. Isn't that so?
Greed: It is... The same power that now saps your energy and destroys your flesh will then breathe new life into you, granting you unparalleled strength. You will no longer be stealing it... You will be its new owner.
Virno: Then, I guess there's one big question that is left to answer, still.
Greed: What would that be...?
Virno: What exactly do you stand to gain, in all of this...?
Greed did not reply.
Virno: Hmph. You talk a pretty big game... But in the end, you're no different from them. You just want to use me to further your agenda.
Greed: I have promised you power... And power you will have. What else concerns you?
Virno: The price I'll be paying for attaining it.
Greed: Considering all that you have already lost, nothing you aren't willing to afford.
Virno: Is that so...? Care to elaborate?
Facing each other outside the building, Greed did not seem interested in continuing the conversation.
Virno: You know.... You're a real bastard.
Raising his palm toward Virno, Greed ignores his remark.
Greed: We will meet again soon, Virno.
Virno: You can be sure of that...
A flash of green light emanates from his hand, expelling Virno from the cradle.