Jeremiah laughed, "So… we are the exception." He spun his helicopter hat sitting down on the floor– present was every participant who survived the first challenge, faces ranged from glee to anger– disdain to anxiety.
"Alright kid, what got you so 'horny'?" Richard pointed at Jeremiah's tiny red horns before motioning for his friends to start hyping him up. Famine stared deadpan as Jonah and Lichness joined in.
Saraline stomped her foot down, "Why are you guys so excited? I just saw some scary shit!" she yelled, a voice cracking appearing at the start of the first sentence causing everyone to laugh.
Dara tapped Saraline's shoulder, "We all did." her fingers trembling as they held onto Saraline's muscular shoulderblades before she hastily backed off and cowered behind Jeremiah.
Zero and Nil were looking at a map before alerting everyone and exclaiming in synchronisation, "Hey you guys! Let's go to the cafeteria you know–"
"Look at you two, speaking at the same time.." Gabriel jested causing all the girls present other than Nil to mocking coo causing Zero to turn further red.
"Just follow me bastard!" The Imp stomped their foot before motioning everyone to follow them.
The sixteen survivors walked throughout the hallway, their ragged attires making the golden alluring walls present filtered out as they barged into the cafeteria– alerting all the angels who were sitting there. Similarly a portal opened, with the saints all walking into the cafeteria– sitting on their table.
"Let's all get a group table together you know?" Jonah beckoned, pointing at the one with over twenty seats and vacant.
"I don't think I'm welcome on that table." Gabriel chuckled, sweat dropping from his new mask as he pointed behind him with all the Saints glaring at him.
"Me neither.." Saraline spoke before sighing and folding her arms.
"So, what were your motivations?" Ilya spoke, spinning the gun in her hands.
"Kill Thidos." Zero chuckled.
"To see if it was fun!" Jeremiah laughed.
"I was forced.." Saraline crossed her legs.
"Me too." Melissa slouched into the chair.
"I followed Saraline– she's my only reason to live." Psylaiso muttered, her eyes shutting.
"I wanted to become a Saint!" Dara exclaimed.
"You want to become a Saint?" Saraline looked at her, the woman's eyes and eyebrows narrowed.
"Yeah! Helping others is great." Dara cheered, "I know that being a transforming monster can be scary but– Merlin is a scary werewolf and he's an amazing hero! I want to be a hero just like all the Saints! Just like you Saraline and Gabriel too!"
The whole table smiled as Saraline paused, "Thank you."
"I want to help the Invalian people.." Nil spoke up, "I know Zero was killing for us, definitely they were. But there must be a better way– if I rise through the political system and help others like me– displaced without a home. That'd be good."
The table clapped.
"I was totally killed for those reasons, but you're more respectable than I thought you'd be." Zero smiled…
Zero smiled?
Zero smiled? The demon? The fucking Invalia mutliator smiled? They smiled and it wasn't for killing others?
How?
"Are you smiling?" Gabriel looked at Zero as the whole table went silent for a moment…
Richard spoke next, "I touched the Angel's light and it just decayed… It must've been a myth to actually see who's strong enough for stuff like this. So I'm here to prove that I am strong."
Everyone stared confusingly at Richard before…
"He's not the leader, nor does he speak for all of us." Gloxer chimed, "I'm doing this for fame."
"Me too." Felix piped up, "As you see, I am already rich and all of that but as you know– this is a great publication especially with criminals around."
"Everything I do is honest.." Famine stood up angrily.
"Sir Famine, nobody was speaking about you.." Jonah patted him before the ghoul sat back down.
"Me and Jonah just want some thrill in our lives, we don't care if we die– we're like lollipop kid over there." Lichness spoke pointing at Jeremiah before giggling.
"I just want to make more friends.." Roxanne spoke in a southern accent.
"Totally was the best place to do so." Mog mocked her, "I did this for money— not everyone is well off like billionaire Felix over there."
"I'm doing this as a challenge." Famine spoke, "I was dared to so I will."
"Is that everyone?" Jonah questioned, as everyone nodded.
"We have, let's say a week of peace– let's make memories." Jeremiah cheered up.
"I'd probably never be in a room like this– I hate most of you but, It's going to be fun knowing why I do." Zero chuckled as Nil laid her head on their shoulder.
All of a sudden… Amarze and Miles walked over to the participant table.
"What's going on, challengers…" Miles quipped, flipping his pompadour back.
"Everyone come with me– it's time for a lesson." Amarze clasped his hands together, his pure silhouette staring into every participant's souls at once.
"No." Famine said looking at his watch, "I'd say it's quite late– I believe we should all go to our dormitories."
"Smart guy, of course you are.." Amarze ????, "Alright… all of you guys go to your INDIVIDUAL dorms– no lying around Zero." The Saintly Angel spoke pointing directly at the Imp.
The dorms were large in size, every participant had their individual rooms as they each walked in… except for two.
"Wait.." Psylaiso grabbed Saraline's shoulders, stopping her from walking in.
"What's wrong?" The seventh saint looked at Psylaiso, her eyes were facing the ground as sweat rolled down their reflective face.
"I don't feel here." Psylaiso spoke, "Everyone else has a motivation… My only reason for existence was torturing you and…"
"That was the past.." Saraline said, clasping Psylaiso's face in her hands, "It's nature for you to have done that– now it's time for you to find your reason for living."
"Life is an X… I was told that by Thidos. That individuals start off at two different axes before converging at a singularity point– that's the event that changes their lives such as an opportunity, then after they split off.." Psylaiso clutched her arm.
"Do you think?"
"Was meeting you… my only purpose in life?" Psylaiso muttered.
"If you want it to be, then sure. But it needs to be something you want." Saraline carefully chatted, caressing Psylaiso's face causing her to blush, "Do what you want… understand?"
"Yes…" Psylaiso spoke before they both walked into their separate dormitories.
Lianous turned himself visible again, smiling and waving his amethyst luscious hair back and forth before walking off to the Saint's council room.
Upon arrival he saw Amarze and Miles standing there… silently. The room had computers everywhere and seats for everyone to sit– wide and thick. The room had a person sitting on a chair… motionless as the lights were dim only allowing minor visibility.
"Miles? I've seen you often lately but I've been confused– Aren't you participating?" Lianous questioned him, staring directly into his eyes.
"No, I changed my mind– I need you to help with a plan or…" Miles gestured to Amarze who unveiled to him a corpse, Alabendo… the former missing angel, the angel of Fruition.
"You see… If I can kill someone like her– what would happen to a weaker person like you." Amarze ????.
Lianous stared, his mind not fearful but courageous he puffed his chest and spoke, "I am a Saint.. The Lusted remember– I could have you both dead and likewise with you so… what do you want?"
"Your invisibility is useful, use it on Thidos and see what he's saying." Miles quickly said, flicking his hands.
"He can sense me.."
"Not if I can help you.." Amarze laughed before the room went fully dark.