AN: Welcome back to our regularly scheduled program! Sorry for the unusually short chapter. I hadn't originally planned to create this at all to be honest but thought it would be better described rather than introduced through dialogue. But yeah, I ended up going to Las Vegas for the weekend because my aunt was getting married. Was a bit skeptical because I was a bit worried an Elvis impersonator was going to marry them. Turns out he was going to a different wedding. Anyway, that happened and then I spent the rest of my time hanging out with family I hadn't seen in a long ass time. Anyway, this chapter is more to set up characters and future events along with jabbing at major plot points. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 18: Greedy Intentions

Two Year Ago...

The ringing sounds of arcade games, the shooting of fake blasters, and the cries and cheers of children made Regulus' eye twitch. It was all too much noise, but surely it was necessary.

The placing being his own, Regulus began to wonder why he would ever think of buying such a place full of animals. Small, loud, annoying little pieces of work. Regulus walked across the room, small children running around and away from him to head to another game.

Of course, this place served him nothing more than to clean his hard earned money. The money soaked in the blood of hundreds of people he chose to kill. He easily could've paid off an entire bank to clean it for him, but he couldn't open his trust any wider than it was now. Too many people were in on this massive opportunity, so much that it was stretched thin to the point of breaking.

Perhaps, killing a few of his own men would help with that. Thinking this, Regulus entered a restricted area of the building, walking down a hallway and entering a keycard secured door guarded by a lone man. The room itself was the size of an office and soundproof to ensure the safety of their words and what they said. And at the end of the room was a wooden table, made up of a delicate wood and masterfully crafted and decorated to depict kanji symbols of good fortune and luck. And so far, it had worked.

Regulus would've happily sat down in his seat had it not been for the woman already sitting in it; Elsa Granhiert, his right-hand woman.

"Disrespectful, as always expected of you," Regulus scoffed.

Elsa giggled, tossing the knife she had in her hand in the air and catching it by the blade. "Now, that's no way to say hello," she cooed.

"Ha, I'll be saying something else if you don't get out of my designated chair, succubus," Regulus murmured threateningly. "We have known each other far longer than any other of our acquaintances, but I will not tolerate your usage of merciless actions towards me and my things."

After a loud sigh, Elsa bounced from the chair and stood in front of the table as Regulus took a seat. She could tell he wasn't in the right mindset and decided to ask what was troubling him. "Well, someone's being petty today? Care to share what's troubling your beautiful little head there, Regu."

"For the twentieth time, don't call me that. Anyway, I ordered you here today so we can discuss the fall of our eastern supplier."

Elsa seemed unfazed by this. Probably because anything business related didn't appeal to her. "Hm, Frazer?"

"Yes, Nicolas has fallen. Taken down practically single-handedly by an old man in tighty whiteys. He wasn't my only supplier by any means, but he was the largest."

Nicolas Frazer, most notably known as Double on the eastern side of the nation. If you wanted to get quality meth, he was your guy. His name, deriving from his multiple personality disorder, was what made him both unique and dangerous. He had a bad side and an even worse side. But now he was out of the picture, not dead, but definitely not going anywhere anytime soon with his record.

And now, with him gone, Regulus was unsure on what to do. That was a large sum of money of his gone.

"So what will you do?" Elsa asked.

Regulus leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes tracing invisible lines on the ceiling. "Not sure yet." After a minute of silence and the air growing thin, Regulus continued, "My advisor is coming in, to relay information on the trials. I also have a young man arriving soon…. looking for work."

Elsa nodded. "So he found out about us somehow. You wish for me to silence him?"

Regulus waved his hand. "No. Let's give him a chance. Until then, be at attention. I'm not sure how many more slip-ups and failures I can endure before I lose it."

"Tell me everything," Regulus commanded.

"Alright," Regulus' advisor removed a small stack of papers from a briefcase, laying the papers down onto the table. "The trial is set to happen a week from now. Word is he hasn't given any names and refuses to do so. If that's the case up until the end then his sentence will be far longer. And with the size that his operation was in the first place with quite a few missing people profile's leading to him but not confirmed it's safe to say he'll be kept for maybe forty, fifty years."

Regulus rubbed his cheeks. "And so, would it be smart to rescue him before or after his official sentencing?"

His advisor put away half of the papers, reserving the others. The others had what looked like maps and schematics of a building.

"Well, you have three options," the advisor informed. "If you go in before his trial and catch him then we could lay low until he's clear and have him work behind walls. The good thing is that this option is probably the safest in terms of rescue. The downside is that it's a great risk to everything. And I doubt you'll want to risk this for just one man."

"Hm, second option?"

"The second option is rescuing him after the trial. That's where we'll utilize the mapping of the building that I got and hopefully sneak him away. The holding cells aren't that far from the nearest entry point so it'll make going in, getting him, and going out a short trip. You'll have to disable cameras and take out a few guards before you can actually rescue Mr. Frazer. Do that and you'll be home free. Fail, and you'll probably share the same cell as him. Once you're caught in the act, it's all over. Everything you've worked for will be gone."

Regulus pondered those options, seeing neither as a risk worthy plan.

The advisor took a deep breath, shuffling the papers in his hand. "Those are the only two options we have if you wish to rescue Mr. Frazer."

Regulus glared at his advisor. Then his eyes softened. "Go on," he commanded.

His advisor began to sweat. His eyes glanced around at the guards in the room, suddenly feeling like a gazelle trapped in a room full of lions. What he was about to explain might either kill him or not.

"There was a woman….. The Administrator of CEDA. She wants to help."

"Precisely," came another voice at the door.

Regulus looked at the newcomer, a woman. Silver hair, violet eyes, she was unfamiliar to Regulus. "And just who might you be, interrupting a superior is extremely rude and in some cases deadly."

The two guards, feeling uneasy with the situation, drew their pistols. Happy with this, Regulus smiled. Satella, to his surprise, did as well.

"As your sheep just informed, I'm the Administrator of CEDA. You may call me Satella, but your friend there can call me ma'am." Satella said lastly referring to Elsa. Her smile seemed sweet, but Elsa was the only one that could see the true mischief lying just underneath. "I know you don't trust me, and you probably never will. But I have an offer. Something you can't refuse because it can benefit the both of us. All I need is your cooperation."

One Year Ago…

Regulus looked down at his hand, a small syringe in his palm. Inside the medical device was a red liquid, like water with coloring. His mind was a mess of thoughts. He wasn't exactly sure on what to do with it except stare.

"What is this," he had asked Satella.

"The next step," she had replied. "A ticket to Hell, yet also being a protection."

Regulus gripped the syringe. "What if it doesn't work?"

"It will." Suddenly sweet, Satella's silky smooth voice reassured Regulus to his core. "This is what you wanted, right?"

Nervous, Regulus met Satella's eyes. He suddenly felt calm looking into her eyes, remembering why he had fallen for her in the first place. "It is. I'm just… scared." His voice was shaky. For the first time in a long time, he was at a complete loss for words.

It was a scary decision, one that only few had to make. It was either yes or no. Satella knew this all too well. Not only did she want this, but she needed this. Regulus, one of her most trusted at this point, needed to be protected by her.

Satella held the back of Regulus' neck, leaning forward and kissing his cheek and saying, "When you wake up I'll still be here with you."

Regulus blushed, having never been kissed for a long while. Love had never been on his schedule for it had always been taken up with business. He never hoped he'd find it one day, but he was glad it did. And when it came in the form of the woman before him, he was happy.

Slowly, he removed the needle's plastic cover. The thin piece of metal wasn't easy to look at it when it contents included a life-changing fluid. He brought the needle close to his arm, sitting down in the chair behind him as he did so. He brought the needle down until it touched his delicate skin, nearly piercing it. He brought it away momentarily until he felt Satella slip her hand into his, holding tight.

Satella gave him a reassuring nod, smiling as sweet as a peach. This was enough for Regulus to finish the job. He sunk the needle into his arm, slowly pressing the red fluid into his bloodstream.

"Ah," Regulus sighed in slight pain when he first began to feel the fluid enter his body. It felt hot like he had just injected straight hot water into his body. It was bearable but soon became unbearable. Quickly, the liquid traveled around his body, growing more intense the longer time went. "Hah, it-it…. hurts," he managed to say through clenched teeth.

As pain, unlike that from intense heat, began to set in, Regulus finished pushing the liquid into his body began to tense up. It felt like every muscle in his body suddenly tensed up, using every ounce of energy they had reacting to the pain.

"Regu, stay with me."

Through the torture and the loud, fast thumping of his own heart, Regulus managed to make out Satella's voice call out to him. As he began to feel like he was leaving his body, he opened his eyes and found Satella. Her captivating eyes and heartwarming looks were all he could cling onto. He focused entirely on her face to stay alive. He had to, nothing else mattered but her. This couldn't be it. He refused to let this be the last he ever saw of her. He didn't want to die a blubbering mess, moaning and crying in agony as his body started to die.

The reflection of the lights in Satella's eyes, the small purse of her lips, and the small dimples on her cheeks. Such small details, but it's what he found beautiful about the situation.

Slowly, thin purple lines began to rapidly travel around his skin, like worms. The lines zigzagged across his arms and chest, traveling up his neck and then sinking into his eyes before disappearing entirely.

At that moment, Regulus couldn't help but shut his eyes as an even stronger wave of pain overtook him. Within a couple seconds, he knocked out.

Satella waited, her hand still in Regulus'. After a minute went by with nothing she slipped away her hand to feel his neck for a pulse.

Nothing.

Satella was silent, her eyes saying nothing. Then slowly, Regulus' started to turn cold, his body no longer functioning normally and keeping his blood hot.

"Just a little longer," Satella whispered to herself, passing her fingers through Regulus' thin hair. She grew more worried by the second, hoping he'd awaken.

And that he did.

Regulus' eyes suddenly shot wide open, his lungs taking in as much air as they could. Breathing rapidly, he began to take in his surroundings. Everything was the same as before. So it became clear to him that time had barely passed since he had felt that excruciating pain throughout his body. He was about to get up when he felt someone hug his head from behind.

Immediately reacting, Regulus tore himself from the grasp and shot to his feet. He turned and faced Satella, murmuring in confusion as he did so, "What? Who?"

Smiling, Satella approaches Regulus and held his hand. Softly, she asked, "Do you feel alright? Do you remember me?"

Regulus took a step back, looking down at Satella's hand grasp his own. "I-I don't know. At least, I think I don't."

"Don't worry," she reassured. "It's only temporary."

Regulus' breathing started to even to a steady pace. The cold sweat he felt was now gone. And the woman before him began to come back into his memory. She was….. Satella…. something. Her last name, it was fuzzy.

Reaching towards his face, Satella held Regulus' face, feeling the unusual cold feeling of his skin. "May I see something," she asked.

Still confused as to what was happening, Regulus agreed nonetheless. "Sure, but what is i-?!"

Before he could even finish his question, Satella pulled a knife from her sleeve and sunk it deep into Regulus' chest. Ripping through the tissue and muscle, the blade tearing through his heart.

A silent scream escaped Regulus' mouth as he clutched, unbelieving, onto Satella. The intense pain, the empty feeling is betrayal, Regulus fell to a knee, his hands grasping onto the knife as he started to fall unconscious.

Months Later…

"Go to hell, you fucking bitch!"

Before he knew it, a bullet forced its way into Regulus' chest, tearing his flesh and snapping his bones. The impact slowed him down, bringing him to the ground. Through the pain, he fought on.

Without a warped mind, he normally would've ran away. But this was different. Anger surged through him as he looked at Atbash. Hatred boiled deep inside, providing him with enough will to get back onto his feet and rush at the man again.

He raised his hand over his face, trying pathetically to protect his one vital body part. Luckily, Atbash had no intention of doing so and shot his body three more times. Pain. More pain. He loved it. It still meant he was somewhat human.

Coming to a stop, Regulus clutch his chest. Looking down, he could see his entire front start to stain red with his own cold blood. He stumbled back and looked at his hand, coated in his own blood.

Regulus smiled, wondering if this was his end. With the unbearable pain in his chest, he started to feel dizzy.

The police and ambulance sirens were starting to sound muffled and far away. He was losing it, slowly going under. This wasn't the right condition. He had to wait, to rest.

He had to wait for Satella.

With a smile on his face, Regulus fell to his back and looked longingly at the stars, wondering which held his name.

Present Day...

"Let me go!" Somewhere in the same place she had been before, Ashley struggled against the men zip tying her wrists down to a chair.

One of the goons standing by rubbed his face, asking with annoyance, "Can someone please shut her the hell up? This is the second time."

Ashley turned to the man, spitting at him and yelling, "Fuck you!" To the man's pleasure, one of the women came up from behind and stuffed a dirty piece of cloth in Ashley's mouth.

Still, Ashley tried to swear through the cloth, her voice coming out muffled. After some time, she gave up and took to glaring at the people around her. There were four of them; three men and one woman. None of them appeared to have any guns on them, but she couldn't rely on that.

The man nearest her, about arm's length, seemed to be falling asleep. If she could just reach him somehow and grab his knife. Maybe then she could have a chance to escape. She didn't know what Regulus had planned for her, but she didn't want to find out.

If she wanted to get the knife she would have to break out of a zip tie. Only then would she have a chance. SHe looked around at the others, noticing they weren't really watching her anymore. To them, she had absolutely no chance of escaping.

Only when they all weren't looking did Ashley start to move her wrist around, trying to snap the plastic tie off. She used as much force as possible, to the point it started to hurt with the plastic pressed into her skin. Her force only increased, stopping when one of the goons looked in her direction. But when he looked away, she resumed.

Then, by some miracle, the tie began to loosen. The plastic locks began to give, snapping out of place and slowly freeing her. Saving the celebration for later, she slipped her hand out from the loop and reached towards the knife the sleeping man had on his hip. She was just barely close enough, having to stretch out further to wrap her hand around the handle.

"Hello again!" Regulus cried in glee, walking down a flight of stairs ahead of them the led up to an office space. A weary smile on his face, he walked with his hands behind his back. Ashley, patiently zip tied in her chair, regarded him with disgust. She didn't have to be smart to know he was in charge of all these people. The very same people that forced their way into a safe house of sorts and killed everyone but her. And why? She had no idea.

"My, my, isn't this a happy bunch," Regulus sarcastically noted, picking up the nervous vibes. "You know, I'd expect more from my friends, but I guess nowadays things haven't been looking good for everybody. Me, personally, find our current situation somewhat beautiful. It's like a new chance for humanity. Why waste time trying to perfect something that's beyond saving when you can just start clean?" Regulus planted a hand on Ashley's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "I don't expect you to understand, my sweet. But things have already been set in motion. The end of days is upon us and I wish to be here to see it. What say you? Will you be my bride?" Regulus leaned in close, his nose nearly touching her's.

Ashley physically shook in disgust, throwing her head back and headbutting Regulus.

"Gah!" Regulus stepped back, clutching his nose. He showed no pain but excitement in his voice. "Beautiful! I like it! A fighter, just what I've always wanted. You will replace her perfectly." STanding straight up, he commanded his friends to leave.

Now alone with Regulus, Ashely only thought about killing him and running away. Whatever Regulus had meant, she didn't want to find out. And if she was meant to be a replacement then what had happened to the previously girl.

Smiling mischievously, Regulus leaned toward Ashely again, saying softly. "I once had my heart broken. Both literally and in its own sense. But since then I've been incomplete, searching for the right one for me. Whether by natural means or by force, I wish to have someone to share my life with. For better or for worse."

Again, Regulus began to lean closer to her. She had a sick idea knowing what he was going for and refused to let it happen. Yelling through her gag, she kicked her feet up and kicked Regulus away. Using this opportunity, she slipped her hand out of the loose zip tie and grabbed the knife she had hid under her foot. WIth him recovering, she quickly cut off the other zip tie. However, Regulus was quick and grabbed Ashley by the arm before she could run and forced her to stop.

Desperate, Ashley turned around, closing her eyes and stabbing blindly with the knife. She felt it sink into something and then she let go. When she opened her eyes she was horrified. Despite wanting to kill him, she wasn't ready to see the whole knife sunk deep into Regulus' neck. Blood quickly began to rush out of the wound, seeping down into his clothes. Regulus himself seemed to be in shock, not ready for such a lethal and direct attack.

Disgusted by the sight, Ashley turned and ran. She ran for the door, ready to meet what or whoever was on the other side. However, she didn't make it. She fell to the floor when a sudden shock of intense pain hit her leg. Crying, she attempted to get to her feet but fell again when pain shot up her leg. To her dismay, Regulus had torn the knife from his neck and threw it at the back of her knee. This horrifying fact became clear to her when Regulus suddenly appeared, standing over her like an angry god.

"You….. shouldn't have…...done that," he said with some trouble, the deep cut in neck closing and healing at a lightning speed before her very eyes.

"Wha-? What the hell?!"

Regulus grabbed Ashley by the hair and lifted her into the air, speaking with venom, "Perhaps…. few days in solitary will help you!" He then threw her onto the floor, planting his foot on top of her chest. His neck now as good as new, Regulus called for his men to take a weeping Ashley away.