Moving Forward – Part 2(/2)
This custom commission from LittleBadWolf illustrates what I consider to be the final chapter of The Case of the Titan Syndicate. It may not be perfect, but it is a finished tale that was penned entirely by my hand. And truthfully, when I started building these characters up in my head, I never believed I would be capable of actually bringing them to life like this. I expected to be yet another in a large sea of creative and talented people who just never bothered to show the world what they could do.
Of course, there are certainly things I would change if I went back and rewrote the story. Specifically, I would take more time to show the research and observation that Enigma went through, ideally with Edmund but the script as it stands makes that more difficult, to track down both Azurium and eventually Volpes. I would have Enigma and Volpes interact more, just as I would with Edmund and his father. I’m confident in the scenes depicting Azurium and Volpes’s rehabilitation, and Edmund finding it in his heart to give his father another chance, but I would rework what came before. Or at least, expand on it.
Perhaps one day I will, but for now I’m happy to close the book on this tale.
As a fun fact, the original draft did not include the scene where Enigma literally closes the case with his final commentaries of the matter. That was added in afterwards, because I feared the ending as written prior was not definitive enough. I wanted to more clearly communicate that the story was over.
Walking up to the Greens, Volpes saw the blonde tigerkin, dressed in naught but a pair of brown pants, shadowboxing next to a bench. He couldn’t help but smile, watching the youth bounce back from the revelations that shattered his worldview in one fell strike those many months ago.
Though Edmund was turned away, he had heard the larger beastkin approach and started winding down before taking a seat on the bench having barely broken a sweat.
“Do I call ya ‘Dad’ now?”
Volpes was almost physically knocked back by the question. “What?”
“You and my old man are married, right? So am I supposed to call ya ‘Dad’ now?” Edmund could see clearly the effect of his inquiry, but there was no better time to get it out of the way.
“I don’t think either one of us is comfortable with that.” The alchemist’s reply was accompanied by a shudder of pure revulsion.
Edmund smirked at the irony that this discomfort might have been enough to break the ice. “Heh. You ain’t wrong. Volpes it is, then. Can’t imagine why you wanted to talk to me instead of my dad though.” Leaning back into the seat of the bench to get comfortable, he motioned with his eyes and hands for the new professor to take a seat next to him.
“You’re in the best position to answer my questions.” With practiced motions, he sat gingerly, setting his bottom gently on the bench. Hunched as he was, he looked as small as a man of his stature was capable.
Tilting his head towards the fox, Edmund cocked an eyebrow, touching a hand to his chin as he observed his new stepfather. “About?”
“About what I did to you as a child.”
“You mean with the potion.” It was not a question.
“I met someone. Someone whose body is starting to fail them. They’ve yet to see their tenth summer.”
“And ya wanna use yer titan brew to save his life, right? Just like mine. That it?”
“Correct. But before I do, I wanted to ask for your opinion. Az and I tracked your development to make sure you were healthy, but that only told us part of the story. We didn’t know your pain until-”
“The night we kicked your ass? The morning after when I was too pissed tah look at ya?” Either Edmund was the type of person to handle his problems directly, or he had already had ample time to process his feelings for the bluntness with which he spoke.
It took Volpes longer than he expected to reply. And when he did, one quote came to mind. No. The truth was that it had been on his mind for far longer, but it was especially relevant now. “‘I’m just a genetic freak, molded by a fox with a fucking muscle fetish.’”
“I was mad. Honestly, I might still be.” The youth started to tilt look upwards, towards the trees and the soft glow of the afternoon sun.
“And yet, I can’t deny there was a grain of truth in those words. Enough to make me wonder if I’m doing this for the right reasons, or if I’m just giving myself an excuse.”
“Sounds like you still got some things to work out, but I’ll tell ya this. I don’t think you would’ve taken the time to talk to me if this was just about livin’ out a sick fantasy.” When his elder didn’t respond, he continued. “The kid needs ya, like I did. You don’t have the luxury of doubting yerself.”
The fox breathed deeply, gave a long sigh, and finally spoke. “You’re right. I suppose I’m just too deep inside my own head.”
“Yeah. That’s Teach’s job. Let him handle that. And while you’re at it, go easy on the dose this time. I don’t think we need too many more muscle freaks walkin’ around campus.”
Allowing himself a chuckle, the alchemist stood up from the bench. “I have the equipment here to better refine the dosage. Believe me, I have no desire to make any more titans.”
“Then ya answered your own question. See ya, Volpes.” Something approximating a smile, as close to one as Volpes could muster, crossed the foxkin’s features, fur gently swaying in the wind. He stood up, thanked his young stepson, and walked away.
Watching the new Master of Alchemy return to the MRC, Edmund cracked a smile. “Guess I can get used to this fucked up family of ours. Ya sure know how to pick’em, old man.”
Though the vulpine was well outside the an ordinary person’s earshot, having already reached the streets, Edmund could pick up Volpes’s words the way only another titan could. “I heard that, brat.”
He couldn’t stop himself from laughing.
Sitting at the desk in this office, the pen in Enigma’s hand practically moves on its own, striking the parchment in front of him.
“Volpes’s testimony is consistent with reports from our spies: The ruling families of Opentis have gone too long unchecked by both the Magistrum and the other ruling powers of Crossroads, and the people have suffered as a result of our inaction. Though I myself have expressed skepticism working with Volpes’s Titan Syndicate, the change in circumstances warrants revisiting that possibility. I recommend continuing to provide aid until such a time where direct action can be taken.
As for the titan himself, he’s settling into his new role as Professor of Alchemy. My observations indicate that both Volpes and his partner Azurium are genuine regarding their attempts to start over. Though I suspect there yet remain difficulties in the transition, active observation will no longer be required.
Which leaves my apprentice, who has finally come out of the other side of this ordeal. Though he was shaken by the revelations we uncovered, he’s already begun to accept them and adjust to his new normal. I’m encouraged by the progress made between him and his father, and will continue to look for ways to foster this rekindled relationship, preferably with less subterfuge as I fear Edmund has taken too well to my lessons on perception.
In conclusion: There is still work to be done in Oplentis, but the case of my apprentice’s absentee father and the Titan Syndicate can be closed.”
Signing his name, Rabrandt “Enigma” Cyanis, to the report, the mind mage sealed it into an envelope before handing it to a courier pigeon. With swift, practiced motion, the window flew open, and his pet’s “training” instinctually took over.
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