Chapter 648: Memorial
The debauchery of which many families succumbed brought upon adverse concern on the organization of future events. Media helped in fueling the public outrage, mainly, the Apira news station, a very notorious group known for biased and unjust points of view. The whole continent shifted to a campaign of ‘Boycott Ansoft.’ Thus were the first few days after the event, sales stopped, idols quit, and broke contracts without much repercussion. In the end, the agency stood on the edge of heartbreak, many o’ fans were sad and afraid. Once a mob takes hold of a subject, no matter who’s right or wrong, they’ll follow until the bitter end. Amsey stood before a crumbling empire, the life’s work flushed down from a single attack.
To further the fall, the other conglomerates, mainly, the Gaso Group, organized hostile takeovers of hangar space at the harbor. Ruffians ran in, destroyed consumables, and left; the falling economy forced the company in liquidating many assets. Without support, not person to hear him out, at the break of dawn on the 5th of October, a heavily saddened Amsey climbed the treacherous hill to Igna’s estate.
The bell must have rung a few dozen times, the black outline of the trees had a few sparks of amber. The sun rose softly, the misty cool air gave perspective.
‘What am I supposed to do?’ cold on the buzzer, he leaned against the wall and fell, ‘-I’ve lost everything. The company had to give out money to so many people; we had to pay the performers and staff triple the agreed amount. Our reputation was dragged into the mud, the Gaso Group took advantage and established her agency as a place of righteousness. My most prominent stars, William and Windy... I told them to scout a new agency, a better place, I can’t afford to limit their talents. It would be selfish and unfair, performers must be on stage, making music and bettering the world we have.’
Despair brought its due, the demon of misfortune overshadowed the curled-up shell of a man. ‘-I should have died and retired... the gift of youth, I was played for a fool, complacency, how stupid could I have been...’
“Come on in,” said a distant voice, “-Amsey...” the gates to the vampiric lair parted, “-I was waiting.”
“Igna?” he turned and wiped the teary eyes, “-I’m sorry,” he bowed, “-I’ll leave, being here fills me with guilt, I created the mess, I should clean it up...”
.....
“Stop being melodramatic,” he caught Amsey’s tender arms, ‘-has he lost weight?’ Shoving said thought aside, “-come on, let’s go in and have a drink,” offered he, “-We’re friends after all.”
“Thank you,” he grinned wholeheartedly, “-I’m grateful to have you on my side.” The remainder of energy served to ignite Amsey’s walk, the latter felt better after the encounter. Igna followed, ‘-the man’s broken to the point of no return. Manipulation is a scary game. He sadly has no idea I could have undone the severe treatment. No matter,” the porch stood crowded by éclair and a few maids of whom took care of the slump Amsey.
“My lord,” the background swapped for the very high-tech study, “-Amsey’s taking a bath. Vanesa and Draconis were summoned by Lady Lilith. Beelzebub’s love of filth has created mud monsters of relative strongness.”
“Vanesa’s taking a nap?” he narrowed.
“Yes, the lady very much enjoys the new duvet and mattress.”
“Very much is an understatement, she adores them.” In with a snap clicked the lock, “-shall we discuss business?”
“Yes,” a giant hologram covered the room, “-Ansoft’s at an all-time low, Lum is barely making a profit. There are a few ways we can turn the situation around, turn the hate into admiration,” the images linked to a certain individual, “-and tis lady Aceline and Kinless, the heroes who saved the concert. The public is very much in favor of thy return. I have an idea, risky one, but perhaps, a novel endeavor?”
“To resume the concert, however, make it a commemoration to the fallen. We sing and plea for the health of the wounded. We won’t use much production and limit the performance to Aceline, whilst I stay on the acoustic. It’s a perfect way to sway public opinion,” returned Igna.
“You’ve planned ahead?” smirked éclair.
“Obviously,” he flicked the pen, “-about the matters of money,” the pupils side-glance the basement where Angel Dust production went in full swing.
“Still need to launder the money first,” said éclair, “-focus on one task at a time,” the doors knocked.
“-Enter,” shouted Igna, the lock unclicked.
“Pardon the intrusion,” just as he entered, the butler left after a courteous bow. Paying no heed, the beautifully inlaid wooden barrier shut, “-I’m here,” he said.
“I see that,” they closed the distance and had a serious tête-à-tête.
Meanwhile, at the other side of town, the business didn’t take long to boom. The gambling house stayed opened during the day under the preface of an eatery. Sure enough, the silent came to eat or be fed. “Kul,” yawned Asmodeus, “-here,” he threw a heavy black bag, “-bury that too,” dense foliage hid the backyard.
“Who is it this time,” she wiped her sweaty forehead.
“A fellow comrade,” he lit a cigar, “-the boy tried to sell our products to a riveling manufacturer.”
“You could have let him live...” she frowned, “-whatever, throw him in here.” A deep rectangle kept the reserves of many unknown faces, *snap,* a fiery lance dipped and scorch the bodies into dust.
Meters from the yard, the red-light district’s workers had their weekly check. A small infirmary beside the motel crowded in waves of ten. At the helm stood each leader of the brothel. “Next,” said a rather gloomy nurse, her notepad had seen better days.
“Have you heard of Kinl’s disappearance?” gossiped the ladies.
“A client of mine said he had an unfortunate accident...”
“Life is rough for unmade novices. They either spend their life working the street, trying to make money, or try to garner our support. Last week, I heard Jeo ran away with her lover, the master wasn’t pleased, the next day, their bodies were found severely mutilated in some random field.”
“Still,” added another, “-our lives are better, the families have deep respect for us maidens of the night. All expect that brat...” her eyes narrowed as did the others. “The egotistical maniac from that conglomo-”
“No more gossip,” fired a brute.
“No more, yes, no more.”
*Dring, dring,* “-Kul speaking.”
“Hello, yeah, it’s Esvalo. I need another batch, swing by the main office, the boss’s here,” the phone cut, ‘-where’s Asmo now?’ she exhaled and scanned, ‘-upstairs?’ the shovel flung onto an unmaintained flowerbed. Moans soon crinkled her forehead, *-clop, clop, clop,* a kick barged open the door, “-No time for bonding,” she glared and spotted a seductress pulling back the now gagged Asmo. *Hmm, hmm,* the grip eased, “-it’s not what you think,” he stood unable to move from the handcuffs, “-she wanted to try out being a dominatrix.”
“Whatever prince of lust,” her eyes glazed in disgust, “-I got a call from Esvalo, he wanted more produce,” facing the corridor, “-at least outgrow the cartoonish undergarments, doesn’t befit a demon.”
“SHUT UP, GEN-10 IS A GOD, HE CAN CHANGE USING A WATC-” the door slammed, “-but...” *Whip,* “-AHH, IT FUCKING HURTS!”
Time flowed unbothered by the many events around the world. Hidros joined to express their sympathies to the heart-breaking shooting. Iqeavea remained its cold self and chose to ignore the event. Being part of Lum, any link would export the backlash in due force.
“The situation is dire,” firmed Amsey, “-cooking won’t do anything.”
“We need to sway public opinion. I have a plan, and it will take a major decision from you,” the hologram displayed Phantom, “-I can make arrangements for Lum to join hands with Elon’s Dynasty and Phantom, the birth of a new conglomerate. What say you?”
“How big a loss am I looking at?”
“I don’t know, perhaps the merging of many companies into the Dynasty, it really depends. You know as well as I do, the debt will only greaten. I propose selling off the other companies and brands, allow another more financially grounded organization to take the helm. They deal with the loss... tis the best move.”
“What about me?”
“I’ve bought and owned 75% of Ansoft’s shares. If you accept, I’ll sell them at the same price ought it, consider it a loan. Work back up to owning an agency, then slowly expand. Let’s be honest, the agency is nothing, and will perhaps remain so... I’m sorry.”
“Time waits for no one,” he stood, “-everyone’s left me, they’ve opted for a better future. If survival means to sell myself, I’ll gladly do so.” A firm handshake marked the start of a new path. Not long after, éclair took the jet to Hidros, Amsey would spend the next weeks and even months negotiating for his future.
Astra roared to life, ‘-time to sway public opinion,’ they made to the memorial of a thousand candles, names of the dead were carved in a granite plate. Those in mourning spent the day and night at said spot, the pain of letting go felt too great. *Calling Aunt Elvira.*
“Good morning Igna.”
“Good morning aunt,” the voice kept a grudge, “-I hope Phantom is doing better. Here’s the deal, the leader of Lum’s headed to Hidros. He’s willing to sell most of his companies to survive; I don’t have to explain what this means. Either it’s us or the other fours, though, the truth of who organized the assault seemed hard to swallow.”
“What sort of deal have you promised?”
“Up for debate. Elon’s Dynasty, Phantom, and now, a disgruntled Lumian O’dla. Imagine the brand picks up in popularity and rises to the top once again. We’ll have a firm footing in Alphia and allow easy entry for our brands. Opportunities to rightfully claim media companies and expand. Currently, the under and overworld are ruled by other parties. I’ve already started my conquest. Will my aunt help or stick to the belief that I should do it all on my own... considering Leko and Alicia’s death, I ought to believe the second.”
“How long will are you going to bring up that story?”
“Until I see them fall,” he gritted, “-tell lady mother I said hi. I bare no ill-will towards Phantom, nor towards you, aunty. A grand opportunity comes thy way, make the best of it.” The call ended, she leaned into her chair and faced the ceiling, ‘-Igna’s amazing... did he organize the fall of Lumian O’dla or does fate just love him?’
“Hey, I’ve brought a snack,” said Courtney, “-why the long face?”
“Your son,” she said, “-he broke through Alphia’s rigid barrier. We can earnestly invade their continent as a force of our own. The leaders on his way here. We’ll make for Elendor, tis a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Guitar in case, flower in hand, the duo of Aceline and Kinless shuffled along with the gathering of people. Many were angry at security; videos of the rescue operation had the entire continent in awe. A moment of solemn silence brought attention. It wasn’t easy to forget Aceline’s face and presence. The scattered bunched, Aceline turn and swept the crowd. No words need be said, he took the guitar and strummed, she closed her eyes and listened. The notes struck deep within, a precious moment of what they thought matched what was heard. She flowed into prayer, the matured voice sang melodically, the lyrics wished the fallen grace and blessings. Candles and flowers stacked at the memorial.
‘Aceline and Kinless play in remembrance of the departed,’ read a life-feed. The masses regrouped. There hadn’t been any ceremony, the offerings felt empty and null. Circumstances brought on fear, yet, as her vivid stance during the shooting hammered their memory, the same lady stood sternly and poured her heart. Most dropped to their knees and grieved, a reason to move on presented itself, “-rest in peace, my fellow companions.”
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