Persona: Hero x Villain System

Chapter 42: The New Initiative 

Iceberg Lounge, Harlem, New York

Kaecilius was undoubtedly powerful. His command over the lantern ring was almost absolute. 

How he manipulated the ring showed he held great anguish at the personal injustice he suffered, furthering that well of power at his core was taking on his acolyte's injustices. 

He had told me they were gone. I didn’t comment on his actions, not knowing if I could have helped them. 

Dormammu wasn’t an enemy I wanted, but I had a target on my back for trespassing against him. He was thankful he hadn’t received a mission related to the other world being. 

‘The ancient one has taken on powers from the dark dimension. Her actions endanger this reality. In my haste and ignorance, I, too, had taken from him. His power is poisonous, and his promises are curses upon your soul.’ He intoned telepathically. 

Red Lantern Mantle: The first Lantern has been chosen; the Host now bears the responsibility of holding the Mantle of the Red Lantern Corps.

The impression that had been implanted into his mind was vague. The mantle was the leadership and its subsequent formation. 

The First Ring-Atrocious: You wield the first Red Lantern Ring ever created. The boundless rage of Atrocious fuels your powers. Furthermore, unlike the more scientific Green Lantern Ring, the Red Lantern Ring uses vast amounts of magic in its construction. 

His current ring was the first of the Reds. The ferocious Atrocious had created. Atrocious rage was boundless; out of all the rings wielded, he was among the most formidable. 

He realized, at his current level, he would be hard-pressed to take down the master; the man had many years of combat and esoteric art training, that was if the circumstances weren't skewered as they were; the mandate of lantern alone made anyone with his ring useless against him. 

‘I dare not.’ He responded, sensing my thoughts. 

[0] Rage Suppression: Said to be a rarity amongst Red lanterns, holders of this power need not the baptism of the blood ocean. You can control all the Red Lantern ring's degrees of intensity; lanterns under you have limited access to your passive suppression. 

He didn’t need to worry about the master having a ring. 

He stared across the table, taking in the current members, pondering and planning inhumanly as he pooled his resources on the best plan. 

Training. 

He hadn't trained, only utilizing the ingrained knowledge from the system, unknowingly limiting himself, his showing last night irritating him further. 

“Master Cole,” Kaecilus called, interrupting the heated debate of the other seatholders. “I've gleaned the table has one active enchantment active.” 

Cole nodded. He had Innate knowledge of the roundtable, but it wasn't absolute. He was aware the table wouldn't harm him. 

“The active enchantment pushes those to act in good faith one another. Intrusive as it is, I don't see any fault in it.” 

Bullseye growled, hand pressing against the table to stand. Cole's steel eyes locked on the man, seizing at his bravado as fear flickered in the man's eyes. 

“Remain sitting, Poindexter,” he ordered. 

He leaned back, eyes landing on the sitting members, twelve chairs, five empty, well four, he thought, eyes going to the still-standing Kevin. 

Kaecillus hadn't known about his innate knowledge, and he wouldn't tell anyone. He knew the table wouldn't be active without each seat being held; at the moment, neither had a seat unless he acknowledged them. 

Bullseye would be a liability until the man got what he wanted, and then he would need to instill more fear into the psychotic assassin. 

Not wanting to push it off longer, he sent a message to the doctor, wanting an updated and readiness report. He had already handed over Lexcorp to the man with its many scientists. 

The statewide defunct lab had been purchased and rebranded by him. He still couldn’t afford the actual item from the system. Lex Luthor was a billionaire businessman. He wasn't cheap. He didn’t even want to think about Wayne Corp and its many subsidiaries that were locked away behind paywalls and mission rewards.

Cole sighed dramatically. “I'm not sure if most of you're aware of magic,” his eyes roaming around, making sure they all were listening. “Magic is quite a natural occurrence in the world. 

“Is that how you can summon things,” Anne asked in disbelief. 

He smiled and winked at her, making her blush and look away. 

“You can say that’s magic.” He answered.

“Can you teach me?” She asked hurriedly, doubt turning into excitement. 

He turned to Kaecillus. The master stared at the girl irritably. 

“If the young master deems you worthy, it’s of no consequence.” 

“There you have it.” He chuckled. “It’s of no consequence.” 

Anne hadn’t missed the irritation, but she hadn’t commented, aware the man standing near was dangerous. 

“Speaking of magic,” he said cheerily. “I have a place that may or may not give an advantage. Unfortunately, safeguards have to be in place to ensure what is discovered there isn’t mishandled by anyone, including myself.” 

Compliance is something he will instill in everyone surrounding him. He did not need for those who buckled against his orders. 

“I would like to add that magic will be something each of you will have to be familiar with.” He gestured toward the man beside him, his personal Alfred, albeit a highly formidable copy. 

“That doesn't give you a right to spell us.” Bullseye snarled, finally having enough. 

He waited, hoping others would speak, but none had anything to add. 

He pushed on his connection with Kaecillus. Kaecillus slid forward, arms unfolding. “The Table doesn't force anyone. It urges those sitting to act in good faith.”

Anne shrugged. Kevin had stepped to a seat, eyeing me, and I permitted him. 

“Do you feel forced?” I asked, smiling at Bullseye's growing ire.

“Nothing here. I feel the same.” He gave me a thumbs-up. 

Firestar raised her hand. “This can't be Camelot table, right?” 

I chuckled at her words; no doubt she had been scouring the internet.

“Formerly,” he emphasized, tapping his knuckles against the table. “the roundtable now, though, is shattered.” 

“Shattered.” She questioned, her hands typing on an invisible keyboard. Out of everyone here, she took advantage of the technology at his disposal. 

“It was once held in the court of the famous King Arthur. Its functions are locked behind its members.”

Sudden realization went off in those at the table minds. 

“I haven’t selected anyone to be an actual holder yet. There is only a limited amount of seats, and only those worthy to sit at my table shall enjoy its fruits.” His words chilled as the air grew colder, as he locked eyes with Bullseye. 

The system contracts were enforced, but it does not mind control those under the writ. The mandate, on the other hand, was different in its control; without a ring, a red lantern would die, as the Red Ring replaced not only their blood but the heart, too. 

Cole had allowed Bullseye to leave. He had a mission to complete. He also handed him additional equipment, the new communication device, and the bio-helmet, which would increase his effectiveness. 

“That guy is going to be a problem,” Anne said, the other two nodding in agreement. 

“He’s a headache, but he’s no fool. He’ll come around, or he’ll be handled.” Cole affirmed. 

Kevin cleared his throat. His hands are in his pocket, eyes facing down. 

“First, I’m sorry for giving you trouble. If I’ve known wh-“ 

He interrupted, not needing apologies from the teen. 

“Accepting this gift from me comes with strictures.” He stressed. 

Kevin nodded. “I’m willing to work.” 

“You comprehend the consequences. Should you betray me or those in my employ?” 

“Uh. Yeah. Anne explained things to me.” He said, cutting his eyes to his friend. 

“I hope so.” Cole quipped. 

He hadn't hated the teen, but he wanted those to be aware that consequences come from betrayal, and he had no qualms enforcing them. 

Kevin's eyes rose from the floor, simmering with anticipation, hands balled. He nodded his head, understanding what he was being given. 

He met Cole’s grey eyes. “I understand. I don’t want to be left behind anymore.” 

Cole noted the admission. He looked toward Anne, who was still at the roundtable.

“You vouch for him,” Cole asked, his hand turned over a blue-colored syringe appearing in his hand. 

“I do,” she affirmed. 

There was a story there. His enhanced investigation practically thrummed in his mind. He stamped on his curiosity. As he had explained to everyone, he would help with one thing only. 

He should have assumed as such. Most of the kids in the orphanage had one. 

He nodded, acknowledging Anne's answer. His ability unfurled from its trapping, spreading outward like an invisible presence. 

He smiled more from the ability to soothing presence than the boy before him. 

He extended the syringe, followed by Kevin's hand reaching for it. Cole held the concoction, meeting the teen's eyes. 

“We have a deal then?” He asked, his power engulfing the large boy. 

“Uh. Yeah. Deal.” Kevin stuttered, hands shaking as he grasped the centipede serum. Cole chuckled inwardly and extended his other hand, and they shook. 

He watched as the teen left, the syringe in his hand. He had no idea what would become of the teen; the system one was perfected, which meant the assortment of ingredients was at perfect levels with no imbalances. 

He had a thought; he had many of those lately, no doubt the additional personas. He was thinking about enhancing the guards protecting the doctor; he was still anticipating the doctor's serum. 

He cut his eyes over the Pointedexter. The man had been smartly checking the new gear. Giddiness was written across his face. 

He hadn't been honest with the man about the serums. He hadn't lied either; he wanted to test the doctor's serum against the systems and allow the system to perfect that as well. 

There was also the fact that if the serum was out there, the Deathlok program could be underway. He sighed at the thought. 

He should add Dr. Raina to his list. She died most times at the hands of countless people; the one he was most familiar with was her being killed in Afterlife, the secret inhuman city hidden on earth. 

What were most of the secret bases hidden in Asia? Afterlife was in Nepal, too, right at the door of Kamr-taj. 

“Everyone gets something besides us.” Anne playfully teased. 

“I’m fine with more gadgets.” Firestar smiled. 

I chuckled, standing, causing the others to follow suit. 

“Cache of items has been place in the redoubt. Before you forget, please install the bionic eye; it will greatly assist you.” Cole said, tossing the Start Trek badge toward her. 

“From now on, this is the way we’re communicating.” He said, handing three additional badges out, one for Kevin. 

“Can you give me one of those bio-helmets?” Firestar asked cautiously. 

I smiled, summing up another one. These are for combat purposes, but he still had hope for her. 

He refocused on Anne. “Pity, I had planned a trip just for you and me.”

Anne walked over, placing her arm in his. He smiled; he liked them bold.