[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/UY46axQ.png[/img][color=b18f71][h3]Blackthorn Investigation, Part Two[/h3][/color]
[i][u][color=b18f71]January 1st, 8:10 PM. 
Cultist Hideout, New York City, Pricetown.
Interactions - None.
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Tracing his fingers across dusty surfaces, Nello's eyes fixed their gaze on various trinkets spread across the attic as it contained clutter numbering in the infinite space of a hoard. Boxes stood stacked, containing various files, the ink on their white shapes now faded as the documents themselves had grown yellow with age. 

Attempting to read what had been printed on their now withered parchment, Nello would soon consider the endeavor a failed prospect. Allowing the files to once more slide into the box, he could deduce that they had nothing to do with what was happening in that building, and neither did the trivial trinkets scattered about. Tables, chairs, and furniture were riddled with spiderwebs, the mere thought of those pincered beasts sending a chill down Nello's spine. Clenching his teeth, the boy gulped and slowly moved across creaking floorboards. Even beneath his miniscule weight, they were beginning to give way, dust flowing through the damp air with every step. 

[color=b18f71][i]"Makes you think this place is almost normal, eh?"[/i][/color] Nocturne spoke, a small chuckle escaping his lips. Though decaying wood was reacting to Nello's presence, it was quick to ignore the demonic spirit's ghostly nature. [color=b18f71][i]"So what's the plan? Going to ask the cultists nicely to release the prisoners?"[/i][/color] 

Turning his attention to Nocturne, where the creature stood amidst dust and darkness, Nello did not appear angry or frustrated. Rather, he seemed unsure, and insecure. Lowering his gaze, the boy gently rested a clawed hand against the doorknob, his sharp, black additions clicking against its rusted, metallic shape. [color=b18f71]"I can't do it, Nocturne,"[/color] Nello spoke, a mere whisper as the young teen's hand trembled. He tightened his grip at the knob, the boy's frame tensing. [color=b18f71]"I..,"[/color] Nello breathed, shutting his eyes. [color=b18f71]"I have to be able to do this, my way."[/color]

Tilting his head, Nocturne narrowed his glare at the boy, those crimson orbs nearly glowing within the attic shade. [color=b18f71][i]"And when that way fails?"[/i][/color] Came a question, hitting Nello like an inquisitive fist. Silence lingered, their conversation reaching its conclusion. This was not a venue to discuss philosophy, but in the very same breath, one would need to consider the question. Was it really? Once Nello decided on opening that door, he would be met by a choice, one where morality clashed with efficiency. 

Not even this teenager was under any illusion that one could rehabilitate a follower of the Three Horned God with madness seared into their flesh. Then, what was the point in refraining from the decisive blow? Nello had his answer. It was an attempt to justify his decision, yes, but it was an answer, all the same. Nello did not want that blood on his hands, because he wasn't sure that he would be able to live with the consequences of such an ultimate act of supremacy. 

He attempted to push the door open, but as was an expected outcome, Nello was met by a locked obstacle. Though gently, he pushed harder, allowing Calamity to appear in his hand once more as he began prying the door's rotted surface from the lock. This managed a successful result, though time consuming, and allowed for the young hero to venture down a set of splintered stairs. 

A repetition was required, where it demanded from Nello the same treatment he had afforded the attic door, on yet another, which lead into the interior of this derelict building. Old pictures on cracked walls rowed the length of the hallway where Nello now found himself. As if an attempt to feel safer, he allowed Calamity to give way for Nocturne, preferring the company of this demon rather than the edge of a sword. It exposed the boy's inexperience, and his young age. Fear, it was a clinging emotion which he felt, like any other person, despite his nature as a demon. 

Moving behind a wall, Nello lowered himself to a knee as the hero narrowed his eyes at the beings now coming into view on the lower floor. With fingers circling a rod of the railing separating him from a fall, Nello leaned forward. A small, warm breath escaped his lips, his eyes fixed on what used to be an old living room. He could see three monstrous beings speaking to one another, sharing words of prisoners and captives. They were all three sitting around a table, bottles of beer upon its wooden surface, occasionally reaching their lips in delighted sips. 

Nello could make out their appearances. They were all relatively young, each one a beast species. The hyena Nello had followed sat amongst them, and they were dressed in ragged hoodies with similar pants. Worn shoes found home on their feet and it was not a stretch to consider the cultists equally ragged. A shower had not blessed them in quite a stretch of time, surely, as Nello's nose took in a sickly stench emanating from their company. [color=b18f71][i]"You have the skills to kill them all in an instant,"[/i][/color] Nocturne commented, his snout close enough to Nello's ear to allow his breath a trickling path down the boy's scales. [color=b18f71][i]"Why make this difficult?"[/i][/color]

Clenching his fists, Nello raised his hand towards the top of the railing and threw himself over its height. Mere moments later, the hero landed. He smashed into the table, betwixt the three cultists as Nello harnessed the momentum of his fall, the boy's hands smashing two cultist's heads against their table with a loud crack. 

In an instant, Nello vaulted over the remaining dweller of darkness amdist this chaotic shock, which he had caused. Again, Nello used his momentum as an advantage, and slammed the cultist against the floor. The three were rendered unconscious. [color=b18f71][i]"Hoe-lee shit, son! Damn!"[/i][/color] Nocturne burst out laughing, [color=b18f71][i]"No killing but severe fucking brain damage is fine!? Woooo boy!"[/i][/color]

Before Nello was afforded a chance to respond, two additional cultists made their presence known, as they ran into the room from an opposing hall. "The fuck!?" One of them exclaimed, brandishing a large machete. Gunshots in these acoustics would give away their position, instantly. 

"He took them out!" The remaining cultist shouted, drawing an identical weapon. "Kill the little shit!"

[color=b18f71]"Noct',"[/color] Nello frowned, Calamity appearing in his hand. 

[color=b18f71][i]"Fuck yes, let's start cutting!"[/i][/color] Nocturne's voice echoed within Nello's mind as the boy's fingers tightened around his sword.