Como's Anthology Collection

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Styx presses his finger into the air in front of you, a tear creating in the world itself. He digs it in just enough before slashing through, now a door large enough for the two of you to pass.

He offers a hand, only for you to grab his whole arm. He turns red immediately.

Styx: Right… follow then…

You walk along with him, carefully lowering step by step as the other side reveals itself to be the staircase of a large tower.

You nearly fumble but he has you tight and safe as you continue on.

Styx: We’ll reach the guest room soon enough, hopefully it’s comfortable…

Courier: Guest room?

Styx: One of many, this place has accommodations for a small army if needed.

Styx: Quite proud of my work on it. In this domain I’m much like the creator himself

Courier: Fancy yourself a god?

Styx: No, don’t carry any subjects, which I think is a major point…

Styx: My goals are fairly simple and mortal despite my state of existence.

Courier: What would that be?

Styx: Start a new life in a position of peaceful reign, fulfill a need for a form that suits me, and… perhaps apologize to a few from my past life if I can…

Styx: Odds of that last one seem low so I’d settle for forgetting as well.

Courier: Seems demanding.

Styx: Admittedly. I indulge as I please.

Courier: How many have you managed so far?

Styx: None, lest you consider lordship over a plot of purgatory anything.

Courier: Better than what plenty of folks have back home…

Styx: I suppose…

Courier: Does seem pretty lonely…

Styx: Mm… You may have witnessed much of my collection below us.

Courier: Aye, never seen tools like many down there.

Styx: Of course not, all from across time and space. Some possibly even from clients yet to come even, sometimes come home to treasures I hadn’t left myself…

Styx: Perhaps you’d be interested in becoming my grail?

You nearly stumble at that, he’s not serious is he?

He thankfully keeps you steady.

Styx: Careful there, don’t want to slip and fall here of all places… 

Courier: S-sorry…

Styx: We’ll be safe soon enough…

Surely, the two of you reached a solid floor with doors circling around…

Styx: Pick your poison for the night.

Courier: They all seem identical..

Styx: Could be. Only one way to find out…

Courier: One behind you then, if you don’t mind.

Styx: Gladly, allow me to just…

He stops and knocks on the door. The entrance opens up.

Courier: Fancy..

Styx: Nothing less…

You follow him into the bedroom, old fashioned in its decor but very comfortable looking none the less. The rabbit flops onto the bed immediately.

Styx: Exhausted…

Courier: Wasn’t that long..

Styx: For this body it is. Gallows may not state it but he’s a bit on the wobbly side..

Courier: I’ve noticed, makes me worry…

Styx: Pass some of that along, he’s quite the reckless one…

Courier: Mm..

You flop down next to him on the bed.

Courier: This is really soft…

Styx: Only the finest quality for those who participate in my realm. If you’d like to sign a deal, it could be yours too..

Courier: Think I’d like to pass on that, get the sense it’s a difficult job and I’m already swamped as is.

Styx: Fair enough.

Courier: I’d accept being collaborators, mutually reap benefits and perhaps get to know some more about you on the way?

Courier: Get the sense you’re lacking in those, being big on the employment thing.

Styx: It’s true..

Courier: Personally would be willing to do a lot for you though on a major condition.

Styx: Oh?

Courier: Treat Gallows better. Don’t get the sense you’re a great boss.

Styx: He asks and I give him a price, it’s fair.

Courier: He’s not exactly in the position to negotiate in his favor. You’ve got this entire place to yourself, freedom from the outside world, powers I don’t think I’ll ever comprehend..

Courier: He’s got whoever he’s got at this point, and we’re scrapping to make it through each week frankly.

Courier: Gains lean toward you. Understand you’re a businessman but… we’re poor. We don’t have a lot of options.

Courier: Whole reason we’re doing this fight is because we’re at the mercy of others. Consider…

He opens his mouth to say something, never letting a word out.

He goes silent. You see a shift in feelings gradually in his face.

Frustration… hurt… guilt.

He turns away from you.

Courier: Styx?

Styx: Thinking…

Styx: You do bring good points…

Styx: Makes me wonder if I’ve lost my way.

Styx: Wasn’t exactly born into much myself, whether it be money, body, or the people around me.

Styx: Do ponder why you entertained me this long when your own truth doesn’t exactly look kindly on me. It’s more than merited admittedly.

Styx: I’ll consider.

Courier: Are you going to be alright?

Styx: Make yourself comfortable for now. I’ll return your friend shortly.

Styx: Just… give me a moment…


You wake up back home curled up next to the rabbit. Was it a dream? You can’t help but wonder….

The light from the window in the room over indicates it’s morning.

As usual, it’s pouring outside..

You take a look over at your friend, stir just enough to cause him to shift and grumble

Courier: Gally?

He nods at you, half asleep.

Courier: Do you remember what happened last night?

Gallows: Too early to recall, feel like I gotta handle lent you know?

Courier: Mm… 

Gallows: Owe the boss a lime, you understand.

Courier: Mm… I do..

He’s doing that dialect thing, it’s cute but you can barely understand it…

Courier: Which boss? Starman?

Gallows: Nah, down the river bake, filled with ticks… little devil in my head, you know?

Courier: Mm…

Gallows: Seems to have canceled his appointments this week though, never seen him so… solemn? Not in a long time.

Gallows: Brooding a little… not going to complain about getting a bit more time off personally..

Courier: Ah.. is he going to be okay?

Gallows: He’ll get over it…

Gallows: Anyways, I’ll be up in a bit, still a little tired. You doing okay? Seem a bit… glum yourself.

Courier: Just… thinking a bit. I’ll join you soon.

Courier: Tell the boss he’s welcome over for dinner at some point, feel like I should get to know him some.

Gallows: We’ll see.

Courier: We'll see...
 

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