Chapter 1
Virgil made sure his steps were light, walking as quietly as possible. He couldn't have anybody knowing he was there, from either side.
He crouched behind a broken wall, just large enough to conceal him. It had no doubt been unlucky enough to be hit by Remus's mace. Not that Virgil would know why it was broken.
Virgil huffed in frustration as his sleeve caught on a broken scrap of metal, protruding from the wall. He tugged at it until he got free, tearing his sleeve. His brows furrowed in anger, now his hoodie had a hole in it.
He knew none of the other Light Sides could see the tear. He fiddled around with it, trying to find a way to conceal it. He accidentally hit the wall with his elbow and froze as a loose brick from the top fell. Virgil gasped and dove to catch it, but wasn't fast enough. It hit a large scrap of metal laying on the ground, landing with a loud bang.
Virgil froze. Everything went deathly silent, and he hid behind the wall for a full four minutes, hearing nothing but his own breathing and feeling his heart pounding. Just when he thought he was in the clear, he heard footsteps.
"Now, now," a familiar voice mused nearby. Virgil stopped breathing, fearful that he'd be spotted as the other person continued. "What was that noise? Remus, dear, do you have any idea?" Sarcasm was thick in the voice.
"I think it was one of the Light Sides, Dee!" Remus replied helpfully.
"Well, yes, duh." the first voice, Dee, or Deceit, scoffed, "The question is which one is brave enough to trespass on our land?" Virgil peeked around the corner of the wall, terrified but curious as to what was happening.
Janus was standing not 10 feet away. His hand touched his chin. His snake eye gave off an eerie yellow glow. He looked perfect, hat straight, not a single wrinkle on his cape. Like always. He looked to be thinking. He tapped his boot on the ground in a steady beat. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Remus was looking at Janus, his eyes not wide and manic like normal, instead they were half closed and his mouth was turned downwards into a slight frown. He was leaning on the handle of his mace. He seemed bored.
Virgil knew it was time to get out of there. He started to back away slowly, as quietly as possible. He didn't take his eyes off Janus. Turns out he should have looked away, at least for a second, because he walked right into a large rock and tripped backwards, knocking over a pile of rubble and landing with a grunt.
Both Dark Sides heads immediately turned to Virgil. Janus spotted him first and smiled a small smile. "Virgil, I should've guessed. Have you changed your mind? Are the Light Sides not everything you thought they were?"
Virgil gritted his teeth, trying not to show that he had hurt himself as he rose to his feet. "The Light Sides are way better than you'll ever be, snake." He clenched his hands into fists by his sides.
Janus shook his head sadly, "Mmm. Well, you'll see someday that they don't care a bit for you." He looked straight into Virgil's eyes and moved towards him, holding out his hand, "Last chance."
Virgil backed up, not replying.
Janus sighed, "Well then. Just remember this is your fault." He brought his hand to his chest, and his snake eye flashed bright, blinding Virgil for a second. He moved his hands to cover his eyes. When he brought them down, Janus was stroking a yellow snake, which was coiling around his neck. Remus had moved closer, to stand next to Janus.
Janus murmured to the snake. Virgil couldn't make out what he was saying. The snakes head snapped up to look at Virgil. Virgil froze. The snakes tongue flicked once before it shot off of Janus's shoulders and launched itself at Virgil.
Virgil bolted, jumping over walls and dodging piles of metal and rocks. He could hear the snake hissing, the sound filled his ears, along with his heartbeat. He looked back over his shoulder just in time to see the snake bust through a large pile of rubble, shards of metal shooting in all directions. Virgil felt his breathing growing heavier as he willed himself to go faster.
The thought of all the other Light Sides powers shot through his mind. Logan's telekinesis. Patton's invisible shield. Roman's power bursts. He knew there was something special about him too, he just didn't know what. He concentrated as he ran, reaching into the depths of his mind, trying to coax his own power out, whatever it was.
The snake snapped at the back of Virgil's neck, drawing him out of his own mind. He gritted his teeth in frustration. He kept running, the snake hot on his heels. He ran past the border, expecting the snake to stop once he crossed, but it didn't. It kept chasing him.
Virgil wanted to scream for help, but he was too out of breath. He was dizzy, gasping for air as he continued to run. He eventually collapsed, falling forwards and knocking whatever breath remained out of him. He rolled over onto his back quickly, sitting up and locking eyes with the snake, which had stopped.
It gazed at him. It was a very beautiful thing, as much as a snake could be. The snakes tongue flicked and it waited a second more before it lunged at him, so suddenly that he was caught off guard. He closed his eyes, bringing his knees to his face and wrapping his arms around himself, trying to brace himself for the snake. He heard a loud hiss, and after a moment of nothing touching him, opened his eyes.
The snake had impaled itself on a sword, held right above Virgil's head. After a moment, the snake burst into yellow sparks and disappeared. Virgil turned around and there stood Roman, the one who had killed the snake. Logan and Patton were standing next to him. All three were looking at Virgil. All three glaring with disapproval.
"Hey, guys," Virgil said, trying to sound casual as their glares increased in intensity, "What's up..?"
Logan crossed his arms. "Virgil, I think we need to talk."
