Lovers In Crime: Soulflames

Chapter 2: The Executioners



LAZZYHEART

"Ugh! How boring, just sitting here waiting for someone who won't even come! Someone's taking forever!" Vanessa Baudelaire, codenamed Vile of the Executioner, also known as Belladonna, is an expert-ranked assassin sitting in the sixth queen chair of the organization. Frustration and boredom consume her as she slumps her face onto the desk like a lifeless ghoul, claiming the other side of the desk and stretching her arms out in bitter pleasure.

With an assertive attitude and a knack for brutal sarcasm, Vile isn't shy about expressing her thoughts. Her blunt personality allows her to communicate with the force of a speeding bullet train. She proudly embraces her identity as a daredevil, unafraid of any challenge or danger.

Notably, Vile shows little interest in life and finds pleasure in the misery of others. She boldly claims that everything is better off dead, a dark view that drives her actions and success in her violent path.

Meanwhile, the man sitting across from Vile forcefully slams his hands on the desk, grabbing the attention of everyone in the meeting chamber. Jauis Zweihänder, codename Rave of the Executioner and also known as Cubozoa, holds the first queen chair, marking him as an expert assassin. With a piercing gaze, he locks eyes with Vile, silently conveying spiteful aggression and setting the stage for a tense confrontation.

Despite Rave's intimidating presence, Vile remains unfazed, appearing even more bored and disinterested. Nonchalantly, she rests her chin on her palm and leans on the desk, slowly closing her eyes as if trying to shut out the world around her.

Rave's irritation grows as he notices Vile's lack of response and her inappropriate demeanor. To provoke her, he puts his feet up on the desk, crossing his legs and resting his hands behind his head, making himself comfortable.

As this unfolds, spectators in the meeting chamber react with bewildered expressions and murmurs, as if watching a scene from a melodramatic show, captivated by the escalating tension between the two.

Rave has a cold and distant demeanor, preferring to be alone, which makes his antisocial nature even more noticeable. However, beneath this icy exterior, he has a certain charm that attracts others, and he is sociable with those close to him.

The sound of Rave's actions startles Vile, causing her to open her eyes and find his shoes barely touching her arm. This intrusion infuriates her, prompting a sharp insult in her native tongue.

"Stop it, you damn pequeña pantera! I'm so not in the mood to play games with you! Go bother someone else!" Vile retorts, her words dripping with disdain, then deliberately closes her eyes again, ignoring his response.

Annoyed by Vile's words, Rave snaps back, "Don't call me, 'little panther!'" He looks away, trying to calm himself.

To those paying attention, it becomes clear that Rave has romantic feelings for Vile. However, he plays the role of a villain, refusing to admit the truth, perhaps out of pride or a desire to maintain a certain image within the organization.

"These two idiots just can't shut up. It's always a lovers' quarrel," another man interrupted, clearly frustrated by the ongoing argument. This man is Nickulai Edouard, codenamed Grimm of the Executioner, also known as Corpse. He is an expert assassin and occupies the second queen chair in the organization.

Grimm turns to glare at Rave beside him, his look fierce enough to make anyone feel uneasy, before he turns away in disgust.

He has a strong dislike for social complications, as a heavy darkness follows him everywhere. People fear him and keep their distance, aware of the curse he carries.

Grimm is cursed by the vengeful spirits of the ancestral Idou tribe, a curse passed down through generations long before the post-cataclysm. Not much can be said about a man with such an unfortunate fate, who resents close relationships because of his burden. Despite his curse, he is fairly normal in many ways and can socialize with others, though he often keeps his distance.

"Mind your own business or you'll never know where your eyes might disappear to." Rave threatens, a mix of eagerness and anger in his expression.

The tension between Rave and Grimm escalates, creating an atmosphere filled with animosity and complicated dynamics within the organization.

As the situation escalates, another woman steps in to intervene. Lazuli Volkov, codenamed Beguile of the Executioner, also known as the fearsome Conqueror, holds the ninth queen chair in the organization. She is a respected figure, often seen as a mother to the younger members.

With just a light cough, Beguile can silence the room. Everyone stops what they are doing and listens when she speaks.

Being the oldest, Beguile is responsible for maintaining order in the organization, ensuring it stays organized and disciplined. Anyone who disrupts the balance is swiftly dealt with, like an insect nuisance.

"Everyone, please settle down," she says elegantly, her voice calm and soothing.

The more easygoing members nod in response. Beguile adds seriously, "Am I understood?"

Her voice is mature and refined but can also sound unintentionally seductive, leading some to describe her as an alluring angel. Surprisingly, Beguile is raising two children who are skilled in following her example.

She is one of the last experts to join the organization, adding to her mysterious nature. Beguile is a powerful woman, capable of taking lives as she sees fit, embodying her reputation as the Conqueror.

Next to her, a young woman looks around in wonder. Prima Volkov, codenamed Marionette of the Executioner, also known as Puppeteer, holds the tenth queen chair. With a playful pout, she asks Beguile, "Where could Lady Dragonfly be?" Her question sparks curiosity, but the crowd quickly shifts back to their own conversations.

As Beguile's daughter, Marionette comes from a respected lineage. Despite her youth, she is already a skilled assassin specializing in puppeteering—manipulating others to take their own lives. This unique style sets her apart.

Marionette has a childlike demeanor, which is reflected in her youthful appearance. Opposite her sits her younger twin brother, Saffron Volkov, codenamed Phantasma of the Executioner, also known as the Illusionist. He responds to her question matter-of-factly, "She must be late again. It's nothing new."

Despite their childlike looks, both twins are exceptionally skilled. Saffron is infamous for involving his targets' families in his hunts, sparing no one in his twisted games. The hunted truly fear him.

Marionette nods in agreement with her brother. It's important not to be fooled by their youthful appearances; the twins suffer from a condition called Tomislav Jurcec, which has trapped them in bodies that stopped aging during their preteen years. They are older and wiser than they seem.

The presence of Marionette and Phantasma adds intrigue and complexity to the organization, with their family ties and unique skills making them a force to be reckoned with.

A young Marionette reaches into her pocket and pulls out a lollipop. True to her childlike nature, she unwraps it and bites into the candy, enjoying its sweetness. Then, she cuddles her beloved teddy bear, Mr. Stitches.

As she bites the lollipop, it breaks, leaving a shard of candy behind. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she pins the shard onto the desk and starts stabbing her teddy bear with the lollipop handle, leaving holes all over Mr. Stitches.

Noticing his sister's antics, Phantasma decides to help. In this era of advanced technology, people often have enhanced accessories. Phantasma's wristband, equipped with a micro terminal, responds to his commands. He activates a storage unit in his watch to summon a knife, tossing it at Marionette with a grin. However, their mother, Beguile, intercepts the knife before it reaches her.

"Phantasma, what have you done? You could have hurt your sister!" Beguile exclaims, concerned.

Phantasma shrugs, treating it lightly. "I was giving her something she needs."

Beguile, feeling uneasy, warns her children to behave. She notes it's the seventh time they've torn their toys apart that day.

Marionette, smiling brightly, innocently says, "But, Mama, I just want Mr. Stitches stitched up. It won't be Mr. Stitches anymore if there are no stitches, right?" she giggles, handing her mother the teddy bear.

Beguile takes the teddy bear and pats her daughter's head, looking slightly bothered. She stores the bear and the knife inside her bracelet, using a storage function similar to Phantasma's wristband.

This technology of spatial storage units is available to everyone in their world, allowing access to a variety of items.

"Everyone seems unusually optimistic today," another woman remarks, her eyes on the flip book tablet in her hands. This woman is Chion Leclercq, codenamed Sibylline of the Executioner, also known as Incognito. She holds the eighth queen chair and is an expert strategist.

Beguile turns to Sibylline, observing her as she is engrossed in a novel on her tablet. Sibylline constantly challenges herself and has made many sacrifices in pursuit of her passions, always working toward her long-term goals.

Sibylline was straightforward and carried a strong sense of pride and determination. Her commitment to her goals was clear to everyone. As the strategist of the organization, she used her intelligence to help the assassins succeed in their missions. However, her strong personality and high standards often made her seem controlling, which intimidated those around her.

"How troublesome! The one person who calls for the meeting is the one who arrives late. Women loves to take their sweet time. Such a waste of time," a man exclaimed in frustration, arms crossed and eyes shut. He smirked at Sibylline, implying something with his words. This man was Effiedel Lefebvre, codenamed Arcane of the Executioner, also known as Gunslinger. He was an expert engineer and held the third queen chair.

Arcane was a mysterious person, often doing whatever he pleased, including challenging Sibylline. Their interactions were filled with tension, as they frequently annoyed each other. Once friends, their relationship had soured for reasons unknown to others. Arcane was self-absorbed and flaunted his vanity, making it hard to ignore his arrogant attitude.

Unlike Sibylline, who worked hard toward her goals, Arcane often pursued his own interests and rarely engaged in productive activities. He undermined others and discouraged assumptions based on his behavior. When he did apply himself, he revealed surprising wisdom, adding to his enigma.

Despite his unpredictable nature, Arcane was a master gunslinger, capable of taking down targets with a single shot. When he drew his gun, it usually meant the end for his target.

"Nah, your mother wasted her time giving birth to you!" Vile exclaimed, glaring at Arcane with a menacing look.

Arcane was left speechless, realizing he had made a big mistake by provoking the women, who were fierce and merciless. The men in the organization were just as formidable.

Sibylline, not backing down, asked, "Arcane, you were saying?" Her tone showed she expected him to explain himself.

Arcane replied mockingly, "Well... aren't you smart, figure it out. Is it possible that there's only water where your brain is supposed to be?" His words were meant to provoke Sibylline further.

Maintaining her composure, Sibylline calmly replied, "You shouldn't have spoken out of line. You're embarrassing yourself. It's really humiliating." She closed her flip book tablet and added, "And, I heard you're going on a date with someone new. Why don't you take things seriously for once? Being a playboy doesn't suit you!"

Facing Arcane directly, she was ready for a confrontation. Her words struck a nerve, exposing his incompetence and priorities during a crucial mission.

"So what? It's none of your business and piss off!" Arcane shot back, only fueling Sibylline's frustration. She tightened her grip on her tablet, causing the glass to crack as she tried to control her anger.

Grimm, known for sinking boats, couldn't help but voice his annoyance. "Here we go again. What an eyesore," he muttered, rolling his eyes. He often complained, especially when witnessing two people caught in a heated argument and couples bringing forth their dramas.

"Zhù Kǒu!" A commanding male voice suddenly echoed in a foreign language, urging everyone to be quiet. The voice belonged to Zhǔquán Líng, codenamed Atom of the Executioner, also known as Ránshāo. He was an expert strategist and held the fourth queen chair in the organization. Atom came from Chinu on the continent of Maharlika, and his language was unfamiliar to most present.

Atom's intervention effectively silenced the heated exchange. He was the calmest person in the room and facedpalmed in frustration at the bickering before Beguile could even ask him to step in.

Joining the organization wasn't part of Atom's plan, but personal reasons and genuine interest led him to work alongside the leading woman in the group. He was both a skilled assassin and a sharp strategist, combining physical strength with mental prowess.

Though he preferred to be a pacifist, when provoked, Atom could unleash fierce wrath on his enemies. This made him a dangerous opponent, leading to restrictions on his fieldwork. The last time he was sent on a mission, an entire city was destroyed.

"Ah!!!" Atom's sudden shout startled Katherine Alvarez, codenamed Reverie of the Executioner, also known as Nightingale. Reverie, an expert engineer holding the seventh queen chair, jumped up from her seat.

In her haste, she accidentally knocked her due berry shortcake off the desk, causing it to crash to the floor and shatter. The environment inside an alternate space is different from reality.

"Oh no! My dueberry shortcake!" Reverie cried, feeling a sense of loss. She had a somewhat immature demeanor and was often treated like a younger sibling since she was the youngest in the organization. Reverie also struggled with narcolepsy and frequently fell asleep at any given time or place.

Despite her conditions which also made her looked like a lazy person due to it. Unfortunately, her current situation made her vulnerable to teasing, especially from the twins.

The older twin mocked her, "Reverie, you're so lazy. You're always sleeping, look at your face. It makes you look really stupid."

The younger twin joined in, passing a marble to her sister, "What a piece of work. You're a burden to many."

The twins silently chuckled, using a game of passing the marble with messages inside to tease Reverie. Confused and teary-eyed, she felt wronged but struggled to understand due to her airheaded nature.

Beguile, witnessing this, nearly spilled her tea and sighed. She set down her cup and turned to comfort Reverie. "These children are a handful. Don't mind them too much, Reverie. I'll make sure they behave."

True to her word, Beguile scolded her children. "Didn't I tell you two to watch yourselves? What was that poor display of decipline just now?"

The twins pleaded for leniency, but Beguile stood firm. "It's unacceptable. Both of you will skip the meeting today."

Protesting, the twins tried to reason with her, but she pointed to the door, demanding their departure. Reluctantly, they left the room, holding hands for comfort.

Beguile's strictness came from her desire to ensure the best for her children, even if it meant disciplining them during important times. She knew that if the lady arrived and saw such behavior, the consequences could be severe.

As the tension eased, Beguile sighed and settled back into her seat. The other members observed the scene but stayed out of it, respecting the personal nature of the matter.

"Ahem! Anyway, it's inappropriate to sleep while eating. Watch yourself next time, Reverie. Here, have these instead," Sibylline interjected, offering Reverie her last box of candies to lighten the mood.

Grateful, Reverie walked over and hugged Sibylline warmly. "Thank you, Sibylline! I'll be more careful from now on. You're the best!"

As Reverie apologized to Beguile, Arcane cast a disdainful glance her way. His displeasure made Reverie feel uneasy.

Beguile intervened before Reverie could continue. "Let's leave it at that for now and focus on something more important. Everyone seems distracted, and the Lady will definitely arrive soon."

The anticipation of the Lady's arrival sparked urgency among the members. They realized they needed to focus and prepare. Beguile silently hoped for silence and that everyone would redirect their attention to the task at hand.

Unexpectedly, the chamber room door swung open with a loud slam, startling everyone inside. This sudden entrance brought a wave of killing intent, instantly making the atmosphere tense and putting everyone on edge.

Beguile sighed, realizing the seriousness of the situation. The lady's arrival suggested she was in a bad mood, setting a foreboding tone for the meeting. It was clear that anyone who disturbed the session would face immediate punishment, possibly even death.

Without wasting any time, the lady took her seat, signaling that the meeting had begun. The members quickly adopted an attitude of obedience, positioning themselves accordingly.

The lady's presence struck awe and fear into those present. An enigmatic aura surrounded her, intensifying the already heavy sense of tension. Everyone wondered what had triggered such anger in her.

Silence fell in the room, but it didn't ease the lady's mood or dispel the tension lingering in the air. The weight of anticipation pressed on the members, their minds racing with questions and concerns.

Introducing Blithe del Rosario, known as the Queen of the Executioners, the Lady Dragonfly of the underworld. She held the Execution Second Commander position in the organization, commanding respect from her peers while seated confidently in the eleventh king chair.

Blithe embodied a mix of strength, intelligence, and charisma. Her piercing eyes hinted at her deep knowledge and experience. Known for her determination and strategic brilliance, she had become a legend within the organization.

Her rise to power was marked by countless successful missions and a ruthless efficiency that earned her both respect and fear from her subordinates. She could quickly analyze complex situations and make split-second decisions that led to impressive results.

Despite her formidable reputation, Blithe had an air of elegance and grace. She captivated those around her and commanded attention just by entering a room. Her presence alone demanded respect and obedience.

Beneath her calm exterior, Blithe was deeply loyal to her comrades. She prioritized the safety and success of the organization, willing to make personal sacrifices for their goals. Her commitment inspired the members to give their best efforts in every mission.

Blithe's unique blend of leadership and expertise made her the ideal person to lead this important meeting. As she activated the terminal system, her gaze swept across the room, silently signaling that the time for action had come.


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