《V.I.R.A.L 》Chapter 51: The Cult of Vanguard
Advertisement
The Sunset peak Institute was formed six years ago after the destruction of the similarly named Sunset peak. Five years ago, an unknown anti-human lay waste to an entire town. The town was frozen over in a never-ending ice age. If left unchecked, the attack would have spread to the capital of Rhinefield itself. By orders of the CEOs of V.I.R.A.L, a wall was constructed to stop the frozen wasteland. Due to the incident, more regulations were called on the means of the world, ending threats like the one at Sunset Peak, and thus The Sunset Peak institute was born. A prison designed to withhold the most dangerous and unstable streamers and Anti-humans alike. If not fallen into V.I.R.A.L's law they would be thrown in there with no chance of escape, and it was this prison that held the most infamous streamer of all time, Vanguard. With many questions and no answers in sight, Rhapsody turned their eyes on their former enemy in hopes of some insight into the new threat.
Percy and Zinnia were led into an elevator alongside at least a dozen guards. The moment they had arrived at this prison, they always had at least three guards following them. More were watching from the security cameras scattered everywhere with not a single-blind spot in sight. The elevator began to descend for what felt like forever as the guard turned to the two streamers. "Marcus doesn't get many visitors direct orders from the CEOs themselves. However, an exception was only made for Team Rhapsody the boys upstairs have been trying to be figuring out why."
"The CEOs of V.I.R.A.L allowed us this visit. That is strange."
"I'll say. You won't have long. So, whatever you have to say you better make it quick, oh and just want to say I'm a big fan of what you guys do. Better those freaks like Marcus in here than out on the streets."
The elevator doors opened as a long corridor of cells lit up. The guards stood by as Percy and Zinnia began their march. "Do you think he will answer our questions?" Zinnia asked.
"After what he put us all through. It's the least he can do." Percy barked.
"Is that who I think it is? This is exciting. I've missed our little game Zinnia." A voice called out from one of the cells. Zinnia turned around see Pokiero leaning against her cell with bandages wrapped around her eyes. "I've heard much from the others that you and your band of merry men are doing quite the works out there. Any chance of me joining in on the fun."
Zinnia snarled stepping away. "What's wrong? Starting to feel guilty for your crimes?"
"I was only joking. That monster made sure I never use my powers for the rest of my days. It's not bad here, to be honest. I could get used to it."
Advertisement
"Do you have no remorse for your actions? None at all."
"I have nothing to be ashamed of. I did nothing wrong. It wasn't my fault those people donated to me. They were lonely people with little worthwhile in their lives. I was just helping them escape from that reality, who are you to take that away?"
"It's pointless arguing with you, Harriet. And for the record Alton is no monster. He has saved many people's lives and brought evil like you in."
"You're right; it is all pointless. Your sense of justice blinds you. You won't listen. When Alton attacked me, I saw it. The real him for that split second. He should be in here."
"Come on Zinnia, don't let scum like her bother you." Percy insisted, pulling her away.
"I was done with her anyway. Not even worth my time."
The two left Pokiero to her self-pity as Vanguard sat in a chair watching them arrive. "You never knew when to take a hint, do you Zinnia? Always blabbering on about a hero's duty and other shit like that." He leaned forward shaking his head as he closed a book. "Out of all the people to visit me, I would have thought it would be Alton. So why are you lot here? Want to prove a point? Do you want to show me just how much more popular you've gotten Percy? You have nothing to prove. You already did all of that when you took me out."
"I have nothing to prove to the likes of you." Percy snapped, walking closer to the cell. "I've woken up from your nightmare."
"So, running around as wannabe heroes are any better? One false dream to another. You truly are pathetic."
Percy held his tongue as he stepped back. "I'm not going to let you get to me."
"Smart. So, you're not entirely without faults. Since none of you clearly came here for chitchat, what do you want?"
"We have questions."
"You are most certainly not here for streaming advice even if you were like I would offer it up to you two. What do you need to know?"
Zinnia gave a little thought as she spoke up. "Do you know anything about P4R4D0X?"
"The urban legend? Can't say I do. Internet horror stories never really interested me. I, of course, heard about it even when I first started streaming. Rodger would know much more than me. He was a fanatic on all those stories."
"Speaking of your partner in crime, any idea where he is?"
"No. Although I have a few ideas, wanna hear them?"
"You would give him up? Just how cold-hearted are you?"
Vanguard shrugged his shoulders, not caring. "It's not like he meant that much to me. At the end of the day, I was just using him for my gain. I couldn't care less what happens to him. He's probably trying to find a way to break me out right now. Even if he somehow managed it, I wouldn't leave. There's nothing out there for me now."
Advertisement
"What about the cult of Vanguard?"
This got his attention as he turned to them with a smug look. "So those bozos are back, huh?"
"You know them?"
"Tch, of course, I do. They literally named themselves after me."
"Who are they?"
"Diehard fans I guess, no it goes a bit further than that I suppose. Truth be told they are lunatics. They see me as some sort of messiah destined to save the world from the coming collapse. They caused a few problems back in the day, but they eventually fizzled out. I almost forgot about them."
"Well, they are back and causing us and other streamers problems."
"I'm not too surprised by that," Vanguard admitted standing up. "With me out of the picture they probably think of you lot as traitors to their cause. If they don't free me or whatever the collapse will without a doubt happen."
"What's this about a collapse?"
Vanguard smirked shrugging his shoulders. "Beats me, I made sure to distance myself from those sorts of fans. Not a good public image. But I believe they marked it to be something like what happened with sunset peak. A second ice age with no real way to stop it."
Zinnia was still looking conflicted as she frowned to herself. "This doesn't help much, was P4R4D0X ever linked to the cult?"
"Never crossed paths no."
"How many members are there?"
"Beats me."
"Where are they hiding?"
"How should I know?"
"How do we beat them?"
Vanguard pressed his head against the bars staring at them with a blank look. "You really don't get it, do you? The cult is after you. They aren't like the other crooks and streamers you put down. They won't stop. They don't care for casualties. They won't show you mercy. You in their eyes, doomed the whole world. You killed their families and loved ones for exposing and taking me down. You are the spawn of the devil in their eyes. They won't ever stop their little witch hunt until you are all dead."
"Or we take them down."
"Tell me, Percy; you know this. How many fans did I have?"
"About two million."
"Two million. Many of those fans were like you, Percy. Blind and foolish. Wouldn't believe shit if it was right in front of them. I could murder their family right before their very eyes, and they wouldn't believe it. How many of those lost souls would turn to the cult in hopes of getting me back?"
"There might just be thousands of members," Percy whispered.
"Indeed. And with each passing day, they only gain more and more members. Not even V.I.R.A.L will be able to ignore it. Do you want my honest advice children? Run. Just run away if you want to live to the end of the week that's your only chance of doing so. You have no chance of winning."
"We beat you. I think I like our chances."
"Funny, you did you not ever think once maybe I let you win?"
"What?"
"Oh, come on Percy, don't tell me you've already forgotten everything about me? I've been doing this gig for fifteen years. I've fought more powerful foes then all of you combined and came out on top. If you honestly thought for a split moment a bunch of amateurs running around playing hero could bring me down, well then you lot are no different to the cult. I could break out of this very cell and kill you both if I wanted to."
"You're lying." Percy barked looking worried.
"Want to bet?" He taunted. The three stood in silence for a short while before Vanguard chuckled to himself lying back down. "I'm joking around. None of you when to loosen up. Enjoy life."
"All that stuff you said true?" Zinnia asked.
"Take it as you will. I'll give you one last piece of advice, though. See it as your prize for taking me down."
"What could you possibly give us that we don't know?"
Vanguard looked up at the ceiling before closing his eyes. "Don't trust Alton. He's hiding many things from you."
"Like the fact he used to be a streamer named Avalanche."
"Take it he didn't tell you that? Tell me, Zinnia. If someone you trust so much can't even tell you the truth himself, can you really trust him? His last time paid the price for doing so. Would be a shame if the same happened to you."
"What do you mean?! Answer me, Damn it!"
"I have nothing left to say to you. Leave me in peace."
Zinnia stepped away as Percy looked just as conflicted. They got some answers to their questions, but now they were unsure if those answers are any better. Percy glared over his shoulder as Vanguard in disgust. "I thought I could keep my cool around him. I hoped coming here today would prove I'm better. Guess I still got a little while to go."
"You did good Percy. Don't worry yourself. We've got too much on our plate than to worry about his little lies."
"What are we going to do now?"
"We fight, of course. I'm not going to let a few rumours and threats scare me away."
"What about Alton?"
Zinnia stopped looking paranoid as she looked back as Vanguard whispering. "I have no idea."
Advertisement
Reluctantly Helping the Villainess and Others
Transmigrated into the Aurelian Empire, a fictional place in a book series, Gettorix Batvi is plagued with too much knowledge. Back on Earth, he read just about every piece of media related to Aurelia. Ignorance would be bliss. But, he knows of the problems faced by many in the empire. He even knows how to solve some of them. But, Gettorix has never been the leading man before and he never planned on it. The first priority is navigating the Royal Academy and its infamous villainess Catarina Severian. But that's just the first step. If he can solve those problems, court intrigue, noble squabbles, heinous crimes, and empire level threats are all down the road waiting to disrupt his new life.
8 109Zeltis
Alexander Kent has many things going for him, but despite all his wonderful qualities, he still finds himself the target of bullies. The harshest of his many critics is the one who worries him the most: his father. A near-tragic accident renders Alex incapacitated. As he hangs on death’s door, he’s visited by the unlikeliest of beings: a demon. Their unfathomable exchange becomes even more troubling when he’s offered a second chance at life… in exchange for use of his body by the devil himself. Alex’s deal with the devil leads him into a hidden supernatural world, rife with mystery, danger, and a convoluted web of the worst the underworld has to offer. Now, he has no memory of his ill-fated deal and is desperate to break free of the hold the Demon King and his minions have on him, but escaping their clutches may prove to be more difficult than any battle he’s ever faced. (Author's note: I've had writers block on this for a while but recently hired a professional editor. I don't think it will be much longer before I have new chapters. A cover is also in discussion. I won't just drop it. Thanks to Papillion for the cover!!!)
8 183Atone Online
In a fully immersive digital world where reputation is the most important stat of all, one lone prisoner fights to survive. His identity has been stripped away. His body, like his reputation, lies in ruins. There can be no turning back for the lowly scrap of personaware known only as Shade. In a world where it's easier to be the bad guy, his path will be fraught with warriors, demons, and necromancers, all standing between him and the greatest prize of all… redemption. Will Shade atone for his sins? Or will temptation win out over redemption, molding him into the greatest threat the ‘game’ has ever seen… Atone Online is my WIP LitRPG novel, and the first book I have ever published directly to the web as a serial. I’ll be sharing the unedited story online as I write, before eventually having the whole book edited for publishing on Amazon. So in the meantime, this is your chance to log into the world of Atone Online for free. Hope you enjoy. ©Aiden Steele
8 138Clean Slate
Humanity ignored the warning and the world came crashing down in a wave of purple madness. Desmond Slattery was one of the few that survived the initial destruction of the apocalypse. He watched from safety as the population mutated and turned on each other. Peaceful animals also transformed into monsters with claws and blood covered fangs. The world became fantasy. But just as they caused death, the changes kept Desmond Slattery alive. Without them he would not have made it through his first civilization ending event. If he wanted to stay alive he was going to have to get stronger. He was going to have to level up, post-apocalyptic RPG style, and there are no extra lives.
8 187Dragon Arts
Abandon as a child, raised by dragons. Lee will have to show the world that the weak can become the strong. Can Lee bring hope to the weak, or will he let the strong continue to devour them. Follow Lee as he continue to rise in power and overcome the impossible.
8 117A crumbling autumn leaf
DROPED That systems comes out of nowhere, he's fine with that, it will be hard, but he can bring everyone... What do you mean we don't get to go to the tutorial? Well fuck. How did everyone else die anyway? They just needed to stay silent and not touch webs! Magic isn't even that hard, they could have survived this if they had just listened! Now his family is gone and Aki has nothing but time and the system notifications to figure out what actually happened to the rest of the world, perhaps even finding another reason to live after he finishes destroying the dungeon he spawned at from inside out. ***** This novel bases heavily on novels like Defiance of the fall, The new world and The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound. I would like to think that's it though, so please point out any sort of copying. As someone has pointed out though, i warn now that the main character is bisexual, so please, don't waste your time if that bothers you.
8 160