Loki’s Successor System

The streets were cold, and dark at this time of dusk. Many feared the hobgoblins, painting them as criminals who wait for night to commit immense treason. Yet two figures were walking on the pavements of these rather gloomy, ominous streets.

The few light sources in these streets were the buildings, the moon, streetlights, houses, and the cars driving up and down road lanes with typically bright headlights. Lest, of course, they got in an accident nearly lethal. The goblins were said to be the most reckless drivers; provided that, unfortunately, their legs were naturally short. Too short to reach for the gas and brakes. Many were forced to either refrain from driving or simply have cars specially designed for them. Not many goblins could afford the latter, sadly—so the vast majority stuck to walking.

The cars and the races were trivial as of now. They were important—yes—but right now, for the two figures walking these streets were more interesting. The first figure was Jin. He certainly did not—by any means—want to be where he was tonight. He was incredibly tired after a long day of fighting. He had eaten from over ten different restaurants to fill his stomach up as a means of generating energy. With a full stomach, he felt as though he couldn't walk the streets. Ashton's arms were cramping from today's swinging, and he was forced to slumber for healing.

The latter was very pleasing to hear for the figure walking beside Jin tonight. Sylvia had been wanting to speak to Jin in private for quite some time now. Tonight was, thankfully, was her golden opportunity. She glimpsed at Jin as they walked. Somehow, she had begged him into following her at this hour. She realized that he was a bit different today. Maybe what Ashton had been telling her was one hundred percent true, after all.

"Where are we going? It's late," drawled Jin; tired.

Sylvia glanced at him. "What did you guys do today anyway? You're both dragged out."

"Oh, it's nothing," Jin said, "fought some guys—why do you care?"

"I don't know," she averted her eyes. "It's just that I've never really seen you tired before."

It got awfully quiet for a while until Jin looked directly at her, and started speaking again. "Sylvia? What do you want? I didn't follow you here because of anything relating to us being on good terms now. I decided to come out here to listen to what you've got on your chest. What do you want to tell me?"

Sylvia sighed. She wanted to converse with him about irrelevant things first, but it looked like she had to spill the gist now. "I called you out here," she said, looking down at the floor, "because I'm guilty. And I'm miserable. I lied to you a few days ago. I was consorting with the Demons. They wanted me to be at your house. I don't know why but I can assure you that I'm no spy. I didn't even carry a phone to your house.

"And I had no idea Flint was planning to betray you. I'm an actor. I got a job by some handsome guy and his crew, I took the job from the handsome guy and his crew. That's all there is to it."

Jin glared mortally at her. "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?"

She quickly looked away from him again. Her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just didn't know how you would have reacted. What I saw in your eyes the day I went to your house—it was a look I couldn't even see on Flint's face and he was a demon. I was ... I was scared. Scared you might've hurt me. And tonight, I'm still scared. But hear me out, Jin.

"I'm not working for Flint anymore. All they did was tell me that I had to go to your place. They said that I'd either be killed by you once I got there, or used as bait to lure them in. They also mentioned that they wanted to see some 'fire in Jin' so they all wanted you to kill me. I'm not a spy. I swear."

Another figure fell in beside Jin, walking at his pace. This figure was identical to Jin but somehow looked more intimidating. Sylvia wasn't able to perceive it. It said, "Did you hear her, Jin? There's a possibility of her being a traitor, you know. A spy. They could be using her eyes to watch you. But that's exactly what we--"

"Want," Jin finished. "If they're watching, they'll see me get stronger. They'll watch me and know my exact location," Jin furrowed his brows, "they'll watch me become a monster and shiver while watching this 'monster' in action. They'll be so daunted that they even become deterred from ambushing me as planned. Should they still choose to attack the monster ..."

"We'll finally have our revenge," the figure finished. "Revenge without searching for the people we wish to get revenge on. The way a true mastermind gets revenge." The figure smirked.

Jin had also smirked.

Sylvia shot a few glimpses at him. She was horror-struck. This certainly was not the same Jin she's met before who could not look her in the eyes. The Jin would blush. And shy away.

Intense sorrow manifested on Sylvia's countenance. "I'm so fucked up. For the last time, Jin. I was just an actor. And at this point, I don't care if you believe me or not. I just," she quivered, "I just want you to know that I'm sorry. And you're not the first life I've ruined."

The figure walking beside Jin looked at her and said, "We must use the people around us as best we could. They too must be deceived. Keep putting her under countless delusions; until she becomes your pawn.

"Trick her. Pretend to have empathy. Come on, Jin. You know what I'm talking about and exactly what to do."

Jin suddenly called her name. "Sylvia."

She slowly looked her him; parting her lips.

From the corners of his eyes, he could see her glimmering silver eyes. These eyes were like crystals shining, and glittering. In her eyes; Jin saw her innocence. But he desperately wanted her to really be guilty so that he could have a reason to harm her.

It looked like making her his pawn was the best thing he could do. He couldn't have a woman stabbing him to his heart while he slumbered.

Jin looked at Sylvia. "Sylvia … I fell in love with you at first sight when I first saw you. You were so interesting. Your eyes were the most beautiful I've ever seen. Just so you know. But I'm afraid I cannot feel love anymore. But …

"I think I owe it to you. You obviously have some feelings for me. You care about my friends. You have even more innocence in your heart compared to my kindest friend, Ash. Maybe we … maybe we can go on a little date tonight."

Sylvia was shocked. Her eyes winded in shock. Did she just hear that? A date? What feelings did she have for him? What suddenly got into his head? Her face became rubescent. "A date?"