"Well, that could have gone better," said Widow, inside a giant corridor, walking alongside Two Fangs.
"Well, if he didn't pull us out, I would have had him," Two Fangs replied, jaw tight.
They came to a stop as a giant door stood in front of them, blocking their path. Floating down, Widow looked into the eye scanner. A giant gust of wind blew through. Noise echoed as the sound of gears turned and shifted.
"Wow, you really are full of yourself. That's not a cute trait to have," Widow mocked.
Both walked inside into a living room full of computers and chairs as a large screen glowed above them.
*Hello there, Children.*
"Master Mal." Two Fangs dropped to one knee.
"Oh, brother, this again." Widow took a seat. "Stop kneeling, you look pathetic," she said with a smirk.
"Have some respect," Two Fangs replied.
*Rise, Doctor. Kneeling is not necessary — we are all equals.* A robotic voice filled the room.
"Yes, of course. Nothing greater than paradox."
*The mission did not go so well, now did it.*
"Yeah, I had to get them out," came a high-pitched, scared voice from the corner.
"Bamby, why do you hide?" Widow asked.
"'Cause y'all are scary," Bamby replied, barely visible.
"You're a paradox user. Why hide?" Two Fangs mocked.
*Please, on topic.*
"Oh yes — those people were there this time," Widow said, leaning back.
*Have we uncovered who they are?*
"Some type of group called Para D. I — I read their minds when I opened my forest in the hotel," Bamby said quietly.
"Yeah, and there are like seven of them, at least." The door opened again before Widow could finish. A man made of rock stepped in, each footstep heavy and deliberate against the floor.
*And what about the heir?*
"With those people — and we have no clue where the Toymaker is — I am truly sorry, sir," Two Fangs said, his head lowering.
The rock golem's mouth cracked open, voice unnatural and earthy, like stone grinding against stone deep underground. "No worries, Doctor Moreau. All will be well. The earth does not rush and yet nothing outruns it."
"Of course, my master. The creator," Moreau replied as lights began to appear, wooden dolls and statues layering the walls above them.
"We have the Hemp of Sand Paradox. We need the location of the Toymaker and the heir. One out of three is not bad, you guys," Mal said.
"That kid is childish and careless—"
"And is needed," Widow cut in before Moreau could finish.
"He's experienced, and with few of us we need more allies," Bamby added softly.
"That we do. So what's the plan?" Widow questioned.
"There are very few paradox users left as is."
"Yeah, most are dead or captured by the Union — which most likely means they're dead anyway," Widow replied.
"Yes, but there are ways to make more paradox users, and that is what I plan on doing. The ones I need are not yet out and about."
"So how do you plan to make more?" Widow asked, leaning forward.
"Simple — more discord. We have been hiding for a while. Since the last Great War and the division the United States has with the Union, there have been fewer and fewer of us. We've been used less, so less have awakened."
"You plan to have us go out and about just using our abilities? That won't get us spotted by the Union," Widow replied flatly.
"No. I want you to go find a friend of mine who has been making pets and release them out and about. There are already a lot of players around D Block and the Stacks, so go and have fun."
"Ohh, the laws there are looser, huh. Not much weird energy coming from regular humans." Gor dropped down from the shadows, his accent thick and unhurried as if he'd been listening the whole time.
"Where have you been, you lazy mouth," Moreau snapped.
"Yeah, it's been a while. We nearly start a meeting and somehow you're always late," Widow added.
"I was doing something for the boss," Gor said simply, unbothered.
"Yes, and he did an excellent job as always. But you're right — not much energy, but humans have much imagination," Mal said.
"Ohh, and then an abnormal born from that would be stronger, carry real weight and real threat." Moreau smiled. Gor looked at him with open disgust.
"Anyways — where's my fun? I wish to eat. I wish for slaughter," Gor preached, grinning wide.
"Stupid mutt," Moreau muttered.
"Speak again and I'll kill you where you stand." Gor's voice dropped low.
"I wish you'd try, 'cause I—"
Boom. A heavy hand hit the metal table.
"There will be no discord, and there will be plenty of slaughter for you to get stronger," Mal said. His gaze moved across the room — to Widow. "Many profits." Then to the dark corner where the creature hid. "More advancements to take you home." Finally to Moreau, standing all in white. "And more paradox users to preach our words."
The golem shifted its weight, stone scraping the floor slowly. "What is planted in chaos grows wild and strong. We need only scatter the seeds."
"Okay, fine. Then what — we create some abnormals, energy spreads, and we wait? That could be days, months, years," Widow said.
"Humans crave free will. That alone will do much of the work. And it will help when we recover my gadgets from the Toymaker — it will speed up the process considerably."
"You truly believe that many paradox users will come about?" Gor asked, something close to excitement creeping into his voice.
"Yes!"
A slow smile spread across Gor's face. "Then I'm in."
"Of course Master Mal is right. With what's been going on already, there have been paradox users surfacing around that town," Moreau added.
"Two Fangs, you're a vampire — won't having your kind out and about be a problem?" Widow asked.
"Stop calling me that. I'm a doctor!" he snapped.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever."
"No — I want his zombies and vampires out and about. Hell, it will make things faster." Mal paused. "And I need something from you, my love."
Widow raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Marco wasn't the only paradox user in D Block. Several crime families operate there and a few have users among them. Find them. Kill the ones who don't."
"Sure — 'cause that's so easy. It's gonna cost you," Widow replied.
"Gor, find and create abnormals. Doctor, your vampires live alongside humans for now. Bamby — do your usual."
"Yeah, I guess this is fine," Widow said, stretching.
"This will be fun," Gor said quietly, still smiling.
The golem's mouth opened one last time, its voice rolling out like an avalanche that had already decided where it was going. "Yes. It will."