Lucian noticed that Voice couldn't fully grasp the complexity of human feelings and emotions.
Its reactions had a repetitive pattern, like an employee who had to follow a certain protocol in every situation, never straying from it. Unless they were in danger and had no choice but to do what they were not supposed to do and improvise.
Or like an old plague that had been cured and had no choice but to evolve in order to not die out. It would mutate to fit the new circumstances and try to find a weakness in the new medicine.
'I don't want to be labeled as a new shackled mutation.'
There were only three publicly known ranks of shackleds: the low, mid and high. They've almost been eradicated, and yet, here Lucian was, carrying a potential threat inside him.
'I'm not a special cookie. There might be others like me out there, laying low until the opportunity arises…'
Addiction was dangerous, and Lucian didn't want to get used to Voice's powers to a point where he couldn't exist without them, especially when he couldn't really depend on it.
'...an opportunity, hm? What kind it could be?'
If Lucian wanted to turn the kingdom upside down, he would start by killing those he knew were the most important and influential figures in it.
The upcoming hunting competition was the perfect place to start a new reign of terror, if a shackled was so inclined.
'Take Jax's body, Voice. You'll have a harem of girls to kneel at your feet, have food delivered to your mouth, and be groomed like a king. It would be so much better than being a tool for a human, wouldn't it?'
Voice ignored Lucian's bait, making him think that not every host was a good fit for it. It was picky.
Lucian knew how to push Voice out of him. It's a pity he didn't have any test subjects besides himself to practice transferring Voice into other people.
He could try animals, but he didn't want rumors to spread about him killing animals for experiments to reach Celine's ears. She would be furious at him.
Jax carefully avoided being alone with Lucian, asking him for a restroom break before he decided to turn him into a princess in need of saving.
The Badass Gang used to play bandits and heroes together. There were no girls around, so the boys were taking turns pretending to be sissies just to avoid facing Lucian.
Lucian only ever played the hero role, and would fight anyone who dared to kidnap the appointed princess. Brutally so. He was weaker than them, but vicious enough to compensate for it.
"Boss...I'm scared," Jax pleaded. Maybe putting aside his manliness and acting like a damsel in distress could get him some sympathy points and be spared, "Please don't hurt me."
Lucian's attention turned to Jax, chuckling. He used the cane to turn Jax's face to the side, making him hiss in pain. The blunt hit from yesterday was still fresh.
"Did the tattoo's beast make you interrupt my time with Lady Lily? Or was it your own doing?" he asked.
Jax pressed his lips together, not knowing the answer to that question himself, "I wasn't myself, Boss. I swear. It's like I was possessed."
"Bring it out, the beast," Lucian said at the same time as the carriage came to a stop.
Jax's eyes widened at his words, "No way," he shook his head, "It will take control of me, Boss. Southerners can't use external aid to advance, remember? It will lose all respect it has towards me, and might even decide to kill me."
Lucian got off the carriage, throwing the key he got from the brothel's owner at Jax, "You have been practicing how to tame it, right? Let's see the results of your training."
Jax twisted his body to grab the key, unlocking his bindings, while Lucian walked deeper into the woods by the road.
The rain had stopped falling, leaving a damp smell in the air.
Lucian removed his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves, waiting for Jax to join him.
Uldric rushed to his side, helping him carry his belongings while Klaus stayed behind to watch the carriage.
Jax cracked his neck and stretched his arms as he sprinted over to Lucian, "I don't want to end up like my father, Boss. My mother is counting on me to take care of her. I don't want to die here."
Uldric was surprised by Jax's sudden change in behavior from an overconfident brute to an obedient servant.
Lucian's expression softened, "I will take care of her in your stead if anything happens."
"..." Jax thought about Lucian already deciding on his death, before shaking his head in resignation. "Hey guys," he contacted the southern Vices, "It was fun while it lasted. Farewell."
"Bye. You won't be missed," Roland said, having no idea what was going on, he was simply happy to be able to say his final words.
"Bye!" Goblin was more enthusiastic in his farewell, not knowing what was happening either.
"...Bye?" Leaf joined in, not understanding, but not wanting to be the odd one out.
"..." Fishbone didn't know if this was a joke or not, and remained silent.
Jax's expression changed from resigned to furious, "You bunch of assholes. I bet you will miss me when I'm gone, and regret not treating me better!" he shouted, "Roland, I'm coming for your soul first, just wait and see!"
Uldrick found this Jax to be more familiar to him.
Jax's eyes suddenly turned red and his body grew bigger. His skin turned dark red as he attacked the person closest to him, Uldric, "What are you staring at, bastard?"
"Wha-!" Uldric took a step back in terror, tripping over a fallen branch, and landing on his rear.
Lucian swung his cane, hitting Jax in the shoulder, causing him to growl in anger more than pain.
Jax's red eyes turned to Lucian, "What the fuck was that for?!"
Lucian didn't answer, just waited for Jax's next move. The beast seemed to be out of the cage.
Jax's gaze shifted to the cane. "Oh, you are so dead, pretty boy! I will break that stick and shove it up your ass, you hear me?" He picked it up and broke it in half, leaping towards Lucian with them, ready to stab him.
Lucian grabbed him by his collar, twisting him around and slamming him into a tree, knocking the wind out of him and disorienting him. His foot hit the back of Jax's knees, causing him to kneel.
He grabbed the back of Jax's neck, the bruise from the grip turning purple, and slammed his face into the tree, breaking his nose.
Uldric's eyes almost popped out in shock at Lucian's display of brutality against his closest Vice, and he could only stare at the scene in disbelief.