There were still objectives to do once things were settled. Vezaias directed Remington on a memory that he could show the group at the base proving he was in fact working on freeing Vincent. The next task was to go over their mission that would happen during and after theater. If things went according to Vezaias’s plan it wouldn't be very dangerous, but the task was a pivotal step in weakening the foundation of the The Organization's tactical ability. Remington listened to the plan as Vezaias explained it. It was a good plan but he couldn't help but feel apprehensive about it. He tried to push that turmoil aside and focus on the other things he was dealing with. First, it was finally going to be showtime. Their first curtain performance was tonight and the tickets, as far as he could tell, were sold out. He was trying his best not to let his stage fright take over but he was feeling very nervous. He had made a post on his social media to announce the performance and his fan sites were buzzing with excitement over it. Next he was thick with turmoil over his physical body. He had a poor body image to begin with but today would be the first time he would walk out in front of the public eye while missing his eye. This was nearly crushing his resolve to go on stage ever again, for theater or the band. Vezaias was watching him closely and he knew there was something boiling under the surface of Remington's calm demeanor. It was almost time to leave for the show when Vezaias finally spoke up.

  “What is it, Rem? I know something is bothering you. Are you nervous?” Vezaias said, snaking an arm around Remington's shoulders and pulling him close.

  “Yeah, I'm nervous, but…” Remington paused. Vezaias patiently waited for his response. “…..I get excited when I am about to go on stage, but that's not usually very troubling. It's just that……” Remington sighed deeply, looking upset before continuing. “….. everyone is going to see my face. I am not at all comfortable with this.” He gestured to his missing eye looking as if he would cry. Vezaias was concerned now and kissed his forehead lovingly.

  “I think you look perfect no matter what, but if it helps your self esteem I can project something so that the audience will see you and how you looked before you lost your eye.” Vezaias said sincerely. Remington perked up at this offer. It was settled to be part of the plan now, and it was only a matter of time before Remington, Ava, and Lux were on their way through a portal to the theater. Vezaias would not show up with them as to keep his existence a secret until the last possible moment. Skyler and Demetri would arrive together not long after Remington showed up. Demetri of course knew there was turmoil but he did not open his mouth to ask questions or speak anything private about the situation. Skyler could not collect any memories that involved Vezaias because Vezaias made sure to cloak them. Skyler also assumed that Ava would be taking Vezaias's place since he was already the understudy. Backstage was very busy as the costume and makeup crew worked to get all the actors and actresses in costume.

  Once everyone was ready and every seat was filled in the audience, Zexich and Sigil directed everyone backstage and soon Skyler and Remington stood near the entrance waiting for their cue to take the stage. Demetri was on the sound stage playing the interlude music then shifted it into the introduction music.

  “Rem? Are you nervous?” Skyler spoke up as they both could peek through the curtain to see the packed audience.

  “Huh? Uh, a little bit.” Remington said seriously.

  “You have been quiet, I thought maybe you had stage fright.” Skyler whispered. Remington shook his head softly. It was more silence over the mission that would happen as soon as Skyler would realize that Vezaias was going to take the stage. It was time to begin and Skyler stepped out onto the stage to his mark and began to do the first scene.

  Remington watched until it was time for him to take the stage. Watching the play come to life on stage was great as this book had been an amazing story and wonderful part of his growth and life since the day he first listened to Zexich read it.

  He put a firm wondrously innocent smile on his face as his cue came to take the stage.

  The next scene was about to begin. Skyler was ready to take the stage to narrate as the scene should have been Remington as The Prince and Ava as the Snake, as Skyler assumed it would be, but suddenly Vezaias was standing next to him. Skyler jumped then fell into defense summoning his crystal blade and reached to freeze Vezaias in place but it did not work. Vezaias only smiled menacingly. Skyler moved to back up but in his panicked state he bumped into Lux who secured him in place from under his arms.

  “Hello Skyler, you do not look at all happy to know that I'm alive. How very unkind of you.” Vezaias said smoothly.

  “Just how the hell are you alive?!” Skyler snapped.

  “Maybe it's because your Organization isn't as good at killing people as you think they are.” Vezaias cooed.

  “Let me fix that issue!” Skyler tried to lunge for Vezaias but Lux held him back.

  “Now, now, Skyler….” Vezaias held up and hand shifted the reality around them as if he was wrapping the theater into a bubble. “……you wouldn't want to start a confrontation here with all of these innocent people watching. Someone could get hurt.” Vezaias said calmly and full of maliciousness. Skyler was angry and tried to retract himself in fear that Vezaias would do something irrational. Remington’s scene ended and he returned from the stage running into Vezaias's arms that closed around him quickly. Skyler was stunned and even angrier.

  “Rem! You have been with him even after….!” Skyler snapped.

  “I told you that anyone who didn't vote to kill me was stupid. I was being very honest, because the moment I was able to find him, I immediately returned to him. It was also the moment I returned to being your enemy. Or you could say, I never stopped.”

  “Then why are you here?!” Skyler nearly shouted.

  “I'm the snake, remember? I mustn't abandon my role. I play the part very well after all.” Vezaias mused malevolently. “And there's our cue, Rem. Let's steal the show.” Vezaias said as he walked out to the stage Remington waited behind for his cue.

  “Rem, don't do this! Why would you return to him when you know that he…!” Skyler pleaded.

  “I belong to him for as long as he exists. I'll always search for him, I'll always need him. I love him like the sun loves the sky. I'll protect him with my life, and I'll follow him into hell if I must.” Remington interrupted. Skyler was quiet and angry. It was now Remington's cue to take the stage. He gave Skyler an uncharacteristic smug look before turning to walk out onto the stage. Lux released Skyler from his grip and let him continue on with his narrative in the play. The play went on and soon the last scene was complete. Skyler finished the narrative. The lights faded and the curtains dropped just as the crowd began to cheer. Zexich and Sigil directed everyone back out onto the stage to take their bows. To Skyler's horror Vezaias took his left side and Remington on his right along with Ava on the right along with the rest of the cast as the curtain raised again and they all gave one final bow before leaving the stage. They rushed off stage to the left and herded Skyler and cornered him backstage.

  “Skyler, I'd like to have a nice calm chat with you. Will you come with me?” Vezaias said smoothly as Skyler pressed against the wall.

  “I'm not going anywhere with you!” Skyler reached into his pocket finding that he was missing something important.

  Lux was now standing beside Vezaias looking over his shoulder menacingly holding up a keycard. Vezaias smiled very venomously at Skyler.

  “So you have no way to fast travel thanks to Lux, he is an excellent pickpocket you know, and you cannot use your telekinesis against us, or your talent to read the past. I'd hate for there to be a hostile situation here when there are still innocent people that are trapped as my hostage. Plus you are all alone without any of your allies. I will keep them prisoner until our conflict is resolved. So what's it gonna be Skyler? Come with me and have that chat?” Vezaias cooed smoothly, getting closer to Skyler and staring him down seriously.

  “Fine. Just don't hurt anyone.” Skyler said angrily.

  “Wouldn't dream of it. Do you really think I'm that much of a bad guy?” Vezaias said with an upbeat laugh. Remington opened a portal and Lux snatched Skyler by the arm and led him through to the other side followed quickly by Remington then Ava and Vezaias. They landed in the safe room where Skyler was once again surrounded.

  “How are you alive, and what do you want, Vezaias?” Skyler asked angrily. Remington looked as if he was ready to defend.

  “Easy Rem, he can't do anything here. He’s at a huge disadvantage.” Vezaias said cooley. Remington tried to relax but the air was thick with tension. “Look Skyler, I have nothing against you, even if you did plot behind my back to attack us….”

  “We were trying to help you!” Skyler retorted quickly.

  “You call it help, I call it getting stabbed in the neck….” Vezaias said seriously.

  “We told Lucius not to….!”

  “THAT SON OF A BITCH WILL GET HIS SOON TOO SKYLER!!” Vezaias shouted angrily then calmed himself quickly. “Especially for what he did to Remington.” He glanced at Remington who choked back his self consciousness. Vezaias put an arm around him pulling him closer. Skyler was quiet. “Now, excuse me, but, I really feel like I've been unfairly targeted. What exactly did I do to make you and your friends feel the need to try and kill us?” Vezaias asked calmly.

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  “We weren't trying to…!”

  “OH DON'T GIVE ME THAT FUCKING SHIT SKYLER!” Vezaias shouted. Remington seemed to cling to Vezaias now like glue. “Whatever, it doesn't matter anymore. You see, maybe I was being a little bit suspicious. My fucking bad, but it's fine, because I've been building my own team. I got Remington here. I've been making him stronger. Then I had him kill Ava, so that scientist of yours would recreate him. Then I coached Lux and Remington on how to help him manifest his new talent. Ava looked excited now as if it were his own moment in the spotlight. “I call his talent 'Mimic'. He has always been good at acting, now he has the perfect way to do it. Would you like to see a demonstration?” Vezaias glanced at Ava who suddenly shifted to look just like Vezaias. Skyler was horrified but still very angry. Ava then shifted to look like Lux.

  “Ugh, I am very much against cloning.” Lux complained.

  “Shut the fuck up Lux.” Vezaias snapped. Ava shifted back to himself looking very pleased.

  “Okay! That was my part, can I go watch TV now Vee?” Ava said eagerly.

  “You know we're not finished Ava, we cannot be rude to our guest, right?” Vezaias smiled maliciously. He redirected his attention back to Skyler. “Lux showed up, which I hadn't exactly planned on, but I really needed to strengthen my numbers, so I kept him.” Vezaias said mildly. “He killed himself because he was out of control and I told him they would make him a zombie, now he believes he will be my slave forever. Then I've been making him stronger. It wasn't easy because he does not handle amputation very well.” Vezaias eyed Lux with expectation. Lux held out his hand. Remington immediately hid his face in Vezaias’s shoulder. To Skyler's horror Vezaias summoned his machete and with a quick swing severed Lux's hand off completely.

  “AHHHHHHHH FUCK VEZAIAS!!!!!” Lux clutched his stub and seared in pain. Skyler nearly collapsed by the sight of the blood gushing out. He covered his mouth, resisting the urge to vomit as he dropped to his knees.

  “FOCUS LUX!!!!” Vezaias demanded.

  “I’M DOING MY FUCKING BEST OKAY?! SHIT!!” Lux was shaking and pale looking as if he would pass out but he let go of his arm and reached for Skyler surging pain through his body and absorbing it into himself suddenly the hand began to form quickly and only a few minutes later it was nearly full sized.

  “Very good Lux, what an improvement.” Vezaias complemented. Skyler cringed on the floor, feeling the painful static electricity nerve pain Lux left behind after draining a considerable amount of energy from him. He held himself painfully.

  “What do you want with me?! Why did you bring me here?!” Skyler cringed harder.

  “Fighting you and your friends all simultaneously is a bad idea. Even if I can cloak us from your more troublesome talents. I saw an opportunity to take out one of the organization's strongest members, after he foolishly left the safety of his group to go to this theater performance. You are one of our biggest threats. Now they won't have your past reading talent or telekinesis capabilities, and that drastically improves our chances.” Vezaias cooed.

  “So you're going to kill me?!” Skyler growled.

  “Almost.” Vezaias mused. “First I need to take a little sample.” Vezaias thrust his hand digging it deep into Skyler's chest and drawing out the crystal orb from deep inside. Skyler seemed to freeze in place as Vezaias inspected the crystal then plucked a chunk off of it and plunged it back into Skyler's chest. Vezaias then sliced off another sharp chunk and held it like a dagger, as Skyler regained awareness.

  “Ugh, Vezaias, don't do this! We don't have to fight! We don't have to be enemies!” Skyler pleaded weakly as he clutched his chest painfully. “We just wanted to help you!”

  “Skyler…. We're not going to fight. You are too disadvantaged for us to need to fight you. One of your biggest mistakes was believing that any of us needed your help. This is way bigger than you will ever know. Now that I have this you won't be getting in my way any more.” Vezaias mused callously. He then eyed Ava who waited impatiently for him to make his next move, a thrust that plunged the sharp crystal shard deep into his chest until it absorbed all the way making him shift into an exact copy of Skyler. Skyler was horrified and in tears now as Ava looked himself over in disgust.

  “Bleh, yuck! I don't like this one Vee! It feels so clean….and wrong! This one is terrible!” Ava complained.

  “Shut the fuck up Ava. Go watch TV now and take that hand with you. Put it in the freezer.” Vezaias said in irritation. Ava shifted back and smiled.

  “Thanks Vee!” He said before grabbing the hand from the floor and heading upstairs to do as he was told. Vezaias returned his attention to Skyler then absorbed the rest of Skyler's crystal.

  “They will know that I haven't returned! They will look for me!” Skyler urged.

  “Oh don't even start assuming you know what will happen. They will believe whatever scenario I make for them, you see I've trapped them all in a delusion and if I want them to believe you are alive, they will. They are trapped so deep in my delusional world that they will never know what is real and what is fake. I will pluck them apart piece by piece until they are nothing…..” Vezaias got down to eye level with Skyler, smiling wickedly at him “That's when the real fun begins Skyler, too bad you will never live to see it.” Vezaias said maliciously. Vezaias got up and readied himself. “Rem please hold him still while I dispose of this garbage.” He said amusingly.

  “No! Rem! Please! You don't have to do this! All I wanted was to help you! You don't have to do what Vezaias tells you to do!” Skyler pleaded.

  “Skyler, I don't want you to die. I appreciate everything you did for me. You helped me so much, but I have to do what Vezaias tells me to do, even if I don't want to do it. I know he is going to take care of us, keep us safe, and do what is best for us. He knows what he is doing. I tried to tell you before, he has a plan. I will follow him no matter where that plan takes us, until the day I die, and even then I will search for him in the afterlife.” Remington said dreamily.

  “Rem….” Skyler was crying. He held his chest and pulled out a white glittery marble then offered it to Remington. Remington took the marble and examined it closely then put it in his pocket.

  “Goodbye Skyler.” Remington said, trying to smile. Skyler was quiet aside from his crying as Remington clutched him with his invisible grip then Vezaias lunged at Skyler clamping down his teeth on Skyler’s throat and ripping his neck into shreds then lifted to swallow a hunk of flesh. Skyler flopped and jerked and choked on blood and it gushed out of his mouth and throat spraying the floor with crimson. Vezaias fed more as if he were a lion feasting on a zebra. Remington and Lux were both horrified and seemed to fade their own awareness out while the gory meal continued. Eventually Vezaias stopped eating and wiped his mouth looking satisfied then turned and left the safe room. Remington held Skyler in his grip, crying silently and emotionally long after Skyler had faded away, but eventually releasing him gently to the ground. He stood there blank and weeping quietly for a moment before kneeling down and pulling what was left of Skyler into his arms and screaming in pain. Skyler was limp, heavy, shredded, and bloody. Remington reached in his pocket and pulled out the marble. He clutched it tightly, afraid to look at it. He swallowed back his fear and absorbed the memory.

  Skyler anticipated the attack, the Shinehana dropping down, nearly severing Vezaias’s head from his body. The loud crunch of the spinal cord made his stomach turn immediately. He couldn’t take the time to be sick yet, he had to take initiative now before Lucius could take another unnecessary life. Skyler shot forward and swung the blunt end of his blade and cracked Remington just hard enough to knock him out but not injure him. This did not prevent Lucius from preparing the kill shot. He swung his khopesh at Remington's head which would certainly kill him instantly. Skyler jerked, lifting his crystal blade blocking the attack but the force of Lucius's strength dropping him to one knee.

  “Do not defend this trash’s life!” Lucius growled angrily as he pressed harder against Skyler’s crystal blade.

  “We agreed there would be no deadly force!” Skyler snapped back then swiped the stalemate away and clutched Lucius in his invisible grip to secure him.

  “He has killed Rocks! And after pretending we were family! Now Ax is gone! Possibly dead! This trash is responsible for our losses today! And we should not spare his life for these crimes! Look at the damage they caused us!” Lucius growled gesturing to the aftermath around them. Demetri was on his knees crying while holding his bloody wound. Rock not far away, dead on the ground surrounded by a pool of his blood that had gushed from the large open slice through his chest.

  “I know what he did, but I just can't let you kill him. I promised him I'd protect him no matter what. I don't know why he suddenly decided to become our enemy, this just doesn't seem like it was his uninfluenced decision. I need to find out why this happened and if we kill him we will never know what really happened!” Skyler was gushing with tears. “Please don't put him to death! He is my friend!” He sobbed trying to block any attempts at killing Remington with his own body.

  “You can spare him long enough to ask him what you want to know about their motives, but once you have an answer, he is dead. I will fucking make sure of that!” Demetri snapped as he stood up painfully then he left quickly through a portal. Skyler soaked with pain wondering desperately why Remington would have ended up doing these things. He stayed close to him to make sure nobody would hurt him after taking him to the infirmary. Rock’s body was also taken to the infirmary where he was covered with a thin sheet. Zexich got to work quickly on patching Demetri's wound before tending to Remington's severe injury. Skyler stood on guard to make sure Remington would continue to be safe despite the thick smell of blood in the air that he fought himself to ignore. Soon Ziona arrived and rushed over to the hospital bed that Rock lay on. She uncovered him to his shoulders to see his pale blood splattered face and immediately began to sob into his lifeless chest, meanwhile Zexich was scraping out the mangled remains of Remington's eyeball that couldn't be saved. Despite how much it made him sick, Skyler blocked anyone from possibly getting close enough to Remington to kill him. This seemed to anger Ziona.

  “Just let him die!” She shouted as Skyler stood his ground. The memory faded.

  He cried more before laying Skyler back on the floor and scooting away and sinking into heavy dissociation. It took a long moment before he realized Lux was in front of him talking to him.

  “Remington….hello? Please answer me! Hey…” Lux gently shook him.

  “Huh?” Was all Remington could manage.

  “You are in need of emotional support. True or false?” Lux said softly.

  “True…” Remington said softly. Lux scooted beside him and put an arm around his shoulders.

  “If he was our enemy, why are you so upset?” Lux asked quizzically.

  “He used to be my friend until I betrayed him. He was a genuinely good person who was selflessly trying to help me. After the battle, he protected me and wouldn't let the others put me to death. He didn't deserve to die at all.” Remington cringed and began to sob. Lux was quiet and let him cry for a while before speaking.

  “If that's the situation then why did you help?” Lux asked very aloofly.

  “I had no choice. If Vezaias tells me to do something….” Remington began in frustration.

  “Right, cuz his influence is absolute.” Lux sighed. He was quiet for a long moment. “….I guess Vezaias really is a zombie. Now he is eating people.” Lux said seriously. Remington was desperately trying to avoid acknowledging this detail. He looked sick and put his face into his hands. “You don't think that…..” Lux paused. Remington tried to look at him calmly while he was deep in consideration. “….. nevermind……I don't even want to think about it. You want to go upstairs? I need a cigarette.” Lux said with a sigh. Remington only nodded softly. Lux got to his feet and pulled Remington to stand up.