Calm Before the Storm - Chapter 5 - Deadly Sins
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Wayhem sighed as he scrolled through the latest from the Agreste brand. He smiled seeing Adrien as radiant and dazing as ever. Though a pang of sorrow hit him as he wished he could have seen Adrien outside of the lovely photos. He had been able to get peeks at Adrien whenever he saw Adrien around, but never had the chance to speak with him like before. It was like Adrien couldn’t see him anymore.
“Do you want that to change?” Adrien’s voice asked.
Wayhem gasped and looked around his room. Chills ran up his spine as the air chilled around him. He moved to stand when an imitation Adrien manifested in his room. He screamed and fell back.
“Who are you?”
“I’m a friend that can give you exactly what you desire most, and the power to achieve it.”
“I… I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, Wayhem, I can see right into your heart. You long for him. The boy with hair of sunshine gold, fair and beautiful skin, a voice of angels, all wrapped up nicely with those piercing, hypnotic eyes. But it doesn’t just stop there. Oh, no. You want to know his touch, his embrace, his everything. I can see it. I can feel it.”
Wayhem blushed. “N-no. No! I don’t want all of that. Well, maybe a little, but… he’s just… just a friend.”
“Aww, poor thing. Why deny yourself when you could have so much more? Especially when he needs your help.”
“He… he needs me?”
“Oh, yes. Adrien has lost his way as he chases that which is lost to him. Would you not want to help save him from himself? Would you not want to show him something better? Something newer?”
“I… I suppose? And you could help me with that?”
The imitation Adrien smirked and held out its hand. A belt chain materialized in its palm.
“What’s that?”
“A special jewel. With it, a covenant is forged, and a bargain made. Will you accept?”
Wayhem considered, then took the belt chain and put it on.
“Good. Shall we get started?”
“Uh, how do we get started?”
“Simple. You need only utter the phrase, ‘Libidine, lust.’ Only then will everything be sealed and I yours to use as you wish.”
Wayhem hesitated. “I… are you sure this will help Adrien?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have any reason to lie to you.”
Wayhem gulped. “Alright. Libidine, lust.”
~~
Su-Han stopped to rest. He and the remaining Guardians were almost back to Paris. He hoped that they were not too late and they would be able to assist in stopping Hawkmoth. He lamented his missed opportunity when Hawkmoth, or rather Shadowmoth, seized all the miraculous from the temple while he was away. He would be sure to set things right this time. It was his duty as the Celestial Guardian.
“Your guardianship means nothing anymore, old man,” a man’s voice hissed.
Su-Han jumped to his feet. “Who’s there? Show yourself, coward!”
A moment passed before a purple demon kwami materialized.
“What the-? What kwami are you? Why are you roaming freely? Who was your Guardian?”
Superbia laughed. “I belonged to no one. Your precious Mage felt it too dangerous to allow me and my fellow sins, and even loathsome virtues, to be created. At least, not without figuring out how to tamper with what we are.”
“If that is all true, then how do you exist now?”
“Why, because of Velze. Dear Daddy was brought back. He stripped all mortals of their dominion over us kwamis while giving all kwamis a physical form to inhabit.”
“What? You lie!”
“Lying is for the weak, and I am not weak. Everything I say is true. Anything that you once were is a mere memory. You are nothing. Even those teens could beat your sorry butts now. Granted, they all have our favored siblings. Shame. Daddy wasn’t supposed to have any favorites, but we know better.”
“But… what about Hawkmoth?”
“Oh, handled almost a year ago. See, you took too long and left everything to a bunch of teenagers that allowed your powers and rights to be stripped away. Now all kwamis are free to roam around and cause all sorts of mayhem as they please. Including little Plagg. My, I wonder what he’d get up to first now that he can use his powers without consequence.”
Su-Han’s jaw dropped. “What? They didn’t! They wouldn’t!”
“Oh, but they did. All kwamis are free and you have nothing. Now the world will fall to ruin and there’s nothing you can do about it. Unless.”
“Unless what?”
Superbia’s eyes lit up. “Let’s make a deal. You can become my holder, and you’d get access to the greatest of all powers.”
“But… a Guardian is never meant to use a miraculous,” Su-Han argued.
Superbia shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’m sure the others will understand.”
“What others?”
Superbia didn’t answer, but clapped their hands. Su-Han watched as the remaining four Guardians emerged from the shadow, transformed into demons.
“What did you do to them?” Su-Han demanded.
“I didn’t do anything. They made the choice. They choose power and a return to the true order. You can join them. You can gain the power of a kwami and return everything to how it is meant to be. That is, if you’re not scared.”
Su-Han considered. “This is wrong.”
“Oh, please. You mortals have such polarizing views. There is no true right or wrong. You allow such ideas to keep you from doing what you feel is good. So, what do you feel is good, Celestial Guardian?”
“I… I want to keep Order. That is my job.”
“Then what do you feel you should do?”
Su-Han reconsidered. “Where is your jewel?”
Superbia held out his hand as a pair of earrings materialized. Su-Han took a deep breath and put them on.
“What is your phrase to transform?”
“Utter the phrase, ‘Superbia, Pride,’ and this covenant will be sealed.”
“Superbia, Pride.”
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