Wanderer stood outside Mephisto's new build prison cell at south of Sin city. Dweeb prison as he call it. since its remind him someone once a special,
Mephisto was a cunning fox, he make sure he was in most deep and secure part of dweeb prison. with a Ai sensor and guard with rotated neutral security guard from different company. he cant risk rely on VDV due circumstance.
As he approached the cell, Mephisto looked up from his book, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ah, Wanderer. What can I do for you?"
Wanderer didn't bother with pleasantries. then take seat in front of him "Stop playing around. Tell me the truth about the True Horde. Are they Nero's creations?"
Mephisto's smirk widened. "Now, now, Wanderer. Let's not resort to threats. We're all friends here, aren't we?"
"Friends? You've been terrorizing this city for years. You've killed countless people. You're a monster."
Mephisto shrugged nonchalantly. "Monsters are a matter of perspective. I prefer to think of myself as a visionary, a man ahead of his time."
"Tell me about the Horde, or I'll mutilate the Widow Queen right in front of you. piece by piece, One finger at a time."
Mephisto's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger crossing his face. "You wouldn't dare. To harm her would be to cross a line even I wouldn't dare to tread."
"Is that so? Or are you just trying to scare me off?"
Mephisto then throw his book on the bed, then leaned back against the prison wall, "Perhaps a bit of both. But let's not forget, I hold the Widow Queen's fate in my hands. If you wish to see her harmed, then continue to threaten me."
"Fine," wanderer said. "I'll give you a deal. Tell me the truth about the Horde, and I'll spare the Widow Queen."
Mephisto's smirk returned. "Now we're talking. But remember, I'm not one to make promises I can't keep. If you fail to uphold your end of the bargain, then all bets are off."
"Deal."
Mephisto leaned forward, "Very well. The True Horde mutants... They are indeed the culmination of Dr. Nero's darkest experiments. He sought to create a race of super soldiers, beings of pure power and obedience. But the experiments went horribly wrong. The creatures that emerged were monstrous, twisted abominations."
He paused, "Nero called them 'The beast. They were his greatest creation, and also his greatest failure."
Wanderer cross his legs and put his hand on his chin. in deep thinking "so. why you even help this kind of guy? what benefit? .. dont tell me you created chaos so had.. own trade... i mean.. creating source of income"
Mephisto chuckled softly. "Oh, I see you're not just a pretty face. Sharp as ever, Wanderer. You're right, I do have my own reasons for aiding Dr. Nero."
He leaned back in his cell, a sly smile playing on his lips. "You see, chaos and destruction are great for business. It's all about supply and demand. And when a world is torn apart by war and strife, who do you think the people turn to for comfort and escape?"
“people if without god will seek hedonism as comfort..”
Mephisto nodded "Ah, you've hit the nail on the head, Wanderer. People are so predictable, aren't they? When they can't find comfort in religion or morality, they turn to their basic carnal desire. And I, my dear friend, am the purveyor of the ultimate hedonistic fantasies."
He chuckled, "The Horde destroy, and I reap the profits. It's a simple business model, really. Create chaos, and then sell the solution."
“,,so you fully embrace the villain character huh? "wanderer pause a bit. choosing the word carefully " that admirable.. Satan must proud”
Mephisto chuckled. "Oh, I don't just embrace it, Wanderer. I revel in it. Being the bad guy is so much more interesting than being a hero. After all, heroes are bound by morals and values. But villains... we have the freedom to do as we please."
He chuckled again. "And as for your second remark, I assure you, Lucifer would be quite pleased with my work. We're kindred spirits, you see. Both of us enjoy causing chaos and destruction."
“do you not even afraid hell?” wanderer raise his eyebrows
Mephisto tilted his head, a sly smile on his lips. "Hell? Why would I fear hell, Wanderer? Isn't that where all the fun people go? I welcome the idea of an eternity of fire and brimstone, surrounded by kindred spirits. It's much more exciting than an eternity of harp music and white clouds, don't you think?"
Wanderer nods “i see.. god indeed created hell for people like you.. people who find pride had distance with god..”
Mephisto laughed,. "Ah yes, the wrathful judgment of the Almighty. I suppose you believe everyone who doesn't follow the narrow path of your religion is deserving of eternal torment, hm? How judgmental of you."
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
He leaned forward, a smirk on his face. "But tell me, Wanderer, if your god is all powerful, why does he allow evil to exist in the first place? Why doesn't he just snap his fingers and eradicate all wickedness from the world?"
Wanderer’s eyes then turned contemplative. “It all started when God decided to create something… beyond an angel and an animal. He had already created djinn, similar to humans in that they had free will. But… He created something new: a human. Humans are more complex. It was… a wonderful creature. But of course, the backlash is… they, these humans, only believe what they can see, unable to see the bigger picture. And as to your question… human sin is proof that they have free will, unlike angels, whose nature is merely reactionary. But that doesn’t mean God lets humanity go astray; He gives humanity prophets and His teachings.”
Mephisto chuckled, "Ah, so your god gives humanity free will, then punishes them with eternal torment if they don't follow his teachings. Sounds like a cruel game to me. And yet you still worship him, despite knowing that you could be condemned to hell because of the choices you make."
He leaned back, a smirk on his face. "But tell me, Wanderer, what's the point of having free will if you're constantly being watched and judged by a higher power? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of true autonomy?"
Wanderer slowly nod “ there is something.. beyond than following desire.. there is a beauty in submission.. "he sigh and close his eyes" i might had strongest force in wasteland after caliphate and swat.. but i feel.. that kind of power didnt please me..”
Mephisto raised an eyebrow "Hmm, so you've reached the pinnacle of power and found it lacking. Fascinating. So what does please you, Wanderer? If power and influence aren't enough, what is it you truly desire?"
“united with god”
Mephisto chuckled, "Ah, so you seek divine union, do you? How poetic of you. But what's the catch? You've grown weary of the burden of power, yet you still seek something more."
He leaned close hold the cell bar. look deeply at wanderer weary eyes "Do you truly believe that unification with the divine will bring you fulfillment?"
“human can try.. and let god decide the end.. that is something we call it a fate”
"Hmm, so you throw yourself at the mercy of fate, hoping for divine acceptance. How reckless and na?ve...But I respect your determination. It's foolish, but admirable in its own way. You continue to seek something beyond your grasp, believing it will bring you peace. How amusing."
Wanderer humming, his gaze fixed on the glimpse of source in small window cell “..hmhm... so enough about me. we will execute you for your crime because of helping figures like Nero and others. i know the backlash from it. Series 9 figures might start a war on me, but i'm willing to provoke them to finish this once and for all.”
Mephisto smirked,. "Ah, so here we are, ready to deliver your righteous justice. How noble of you. I won't resist. After all, I'm a man of my word. I'll go willingly."
Wanderer raise his eyebrows “really? do you really that excited leaving this.. mortal world and go to hell?”
Mephisto chuckled,. "Excited? Ah, no. I'm not one to get excited about such trivial matters. And as for hell, well, it's more like a home to me than this mortal realm."
He then take sit on his bed, and shrugged nonchalantly. "The flames of hell will feel like a warm embrace after being in this cold world for so long."
Wanderer nods “you as you are.. me as me.. i dont judge your ..extraordinary.. world view.”
Mephisto chuckled,. "heh, Extraordinary, you say? I suppose, in your narrow perspective, my worldview might seem that way. But don't worry, Wanderer, I'm not here to pass judgement on you either."
He paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on the small window on its prison. "We all have our own ways of seeing the world, don't we? Your beliefs, my defiance. We're not so different in that regard."
Wanderer humming almost amuse “"Hmm, hmm... What makes a man like you? Do the sins you do daily make you embrace your flaws in such an extreme way? Because I notice my dark tendencies are evoked by the chaotic nature of this city, more so than in the wasteland.”
Mephisto chuckled, "Oh, the sins I commit daily? They're just a natural part of my nature. It's who I am, just like your righteous attitude is who you are."
He paused for a moment,. "But you're right, this city does have a certain energy that brings out our darker tendencies. It's a place where chaos flourishes and morality is optional.,, this called sin city for reason you know.."
“,do you believe i will bring a order in this city? or our demise seal is sealed because the end of time?” wanderer ask
Mephisto chuckled,. ""...Order, you say? Ah, But let me ask you, have you ever considered the possibility that your efforts are futile? That the end of time is already sealed, ,, the corruption is too high. nothing you cant do"
Wanderer close his eyes for awhile before speak “.. prophet said.. plant a tree despite you know if tomorrow is end of time ,,, since i know his perspective of time is different with normal human like us ,,, so answer is.. i will keep trying”
Mephisto smirked, "Ah, the prophet's words do ring true, don't they? And your determination is admirable, I'll give you that. You're like a bull, charging straight into the unknown, despite knowing the uncertain fate that awaits you."
Wanderer then smile"im a lion... “
Mephisto chuckled, amused by Wanderer's response. "A lion, you say? Ah, how fitting. Majestic, brave, and fiercely determined to protect your territory.but a lion can also be vain, arrogant, and prone to making mistakes, don't you think?"
“yes.. its needed to deal with people like you.. sometimes.. bad dudes need a good spank in butt”
Mephisto chuckled, "Ah, so I'm one of those 'bad dudes' in need of a good spanking? Well, I have to admit, I do have a knack for causing trouble. It's in my nature, after all."
Wanderer nods, his gaze look on him “i will see your last trick before your execution time arrive ,, i can just shot you here right now.. but i wanna use you as declaration of war ,, to any.. lizard guy behind this city,,, so. good luck..”
Mephisto nodded with a smirk"Ah, playing the role of the sacrificial lamb, eh? Always the sentimental one, aren't you, Wanderer?"
Wanderer then ask “do.. lizards guys in shadows was your friends? or just another minion in your eyes man?”
Mephisto paused for a moment, contemplating Wanderer's question. "Those Cloudalists , Capitalist nomads. Tech Oligarch, Reclaimers.. My friends? Ha! You underestimate the complexity of relationships in the shadows. Minions, allies, opponents - those labels blur in the realm of power and information...Friendship is a luxury I can ill afford."
Wanderer humming again “hmhm.. what a lonely existence you had ,,”
Mephisto chuckled, "haha, Ah, loneliness. A concept you're all too familiar with, aren't you, Wanderer? After all, your world is filled with chaos and violence, leaving little room for genuine connections." his eyes narrowing. "But solitude has its advantages, especially in my line of work. It allows me to operate unimpeded, without the burden of moral constraints."
Wanderer pause a bit "no.. even connection is had a time limit.. i feel if those thing is was a important part of life.. the memories.. "
Mephisto raised an eyebrow, "Ah, the transience of connections and memories, eh? But you're right. Nothing truly lasts forever, not even the most profound connections or vivid memories. Everything is fleeting and subject to the passage of time."