Villain Retirement
chapter-273

"N… no."

"F… fuck… I didn't say goodbye to my daughter today."

In the midst of the night, where everything was supposed to be quiet and peaceful– the whispers and somber screams of the people started to echo and flutter in the air. There was only supposed to be the sound of silence where they were…

…but now the sound of their heartbeats was enough to turn them deaf.

There was supposed to be no sound here– after all, the ones that previously lived here have died more than a year ago; all of them, millions of them.

…but now, the only thing that the people currently present was the sound of their own fear; eating away at them as the very cause of this silence floated above them. His silhouette, covering the little moonlight this desolate land receives.

"D… Darkday!?"

"Why… why is he here!?"

***

"Hm."

"It's a little tight, but nothing I can't alter, Miss Empress. I grew an inch taller since I last wore it."

"...Can you please not talk in your normal voice?"

A few hours ago, somewhere in the dark sky, were Empress and Riley, who was currently wearing his Darkday outfit. And Empress didn't want to admit it, but looking at him right now… she felt fear.

They were right to call Darkday a calamity instead of a supervillain. Empress had fought so-called mass murderers, slaughterers that do not have emotion, and some potentially even stronger than her. But never once has what she felt with Darkday been replicated by anyone. The number of Darkday's appearances could probably be counted in one's hands– and yet the number of people he had killed was in the double-digit of a million.

Darkday… was a force.

It was akin to what one could feel as a raging storm that was capable of blowing away houses were on its way to you– you know it was coming, but the only thing you could really do was try to hide.

But if one were to hide, then one might drown in the aftermath.

If one were to run, then one might be flung away by all the debris being blown away.

And if one were to face it head-on, then one would be considered insane.

There was absolutely nothing one could do– and that is exactly what Empress was feeling right now as she faced Darkday in all his evil and glory.

"Then is this more appropriate, Empress?"

"..." Empress then took in a small gulp as Riley's voice changed into what she was more familiar with– the voice of Darkday; soulless. Almost as lifeless as the sky they were on, and yet there was a certain charisma held in it.

The charisma of death, that is.

"That will do," Empress then let out a sigh. She was actually talking to Darkday in a civil way, not just Riley; but Darkday. Never did she think a day like this would come,

"Follow me as I explain the first part of the pla–."

"Empress, I need to set a condition first," Darkday breathed out as he followed beside Empress, "If I find out this is a trap and that you are lying about Megawoman, I will kill half the population of the people you loved so much."

"If I wanted to trap you, then there are so many better ways to do it… and I know all of them will fail," Empress shook her head as she continued to fly, "Do not belittle my intelligence, Darkday. I am no longer treating you as anything but a calamity– we're just both using each other."

"Very well," Darkday let out a small chuckle that almost crawled throughout Empress's body.

"There is no redemption for you at the end of the road, Darkday," Empress then continued, "Even if you had a change of heart, the people you've killed…"

"..." Empress did not continue her words as she just increased her speed. There was no use in trying to converse with Darkday about his deeds– he himself knew what he was and is. He never once tried to ask for redemption, or try to make excuses. He… is just as he is.

And so, they continued to fly in silence; with only the rhythm of the clouds hitting their ears. And then, finally, they seemed to have reached their destination as Empress abruptly stopped.

"She is here," Empress then said.

"I do not see any floating ships, Empress," Darkday muttered as he looked around.

"...No, I meant below."

Darkday faced Empress for a while, before slightly descending below the clouds, and what welcomed him was a view of ruin– the city of Toronto.

"Megawoman… is somewhere here?"

"There," Empress then pointed at a ruined building, "They are hiding Megawoman somewhere underground. I've seen people come and go– like that."

And as Empress was explaining, a couple of people started to emerge from the rubble.

"Then we'll pull whatever infrastructure they have to the ground," Darkday then muttered as he raised his hand.

"No! What the fuck are you doing!?" Empress, however, blocked his view.

"Isn't this why you brought me here?"

"No! If I just wanted you to lift whatever dungeon they have, then I wouldn't have asked you to be Darlday," Empress sighed, "We don't know what they're doing with Megawoman, so it's best to be cautious."

"And what's your plan?"

"...You just wreak havoc," Empress breathed out as she turned her gaze below, "And I will respond in a few minutes– and in the midst of the confusion, I'll penetrate below ground and find Megawoman."

"...You should have asked me to make a plan instead, Empress," Darkday shook his head.

"And let you go on your own? No, no way."

"Wouldn't the other members respond once they report that I am here? Tempo will get here in a manner of minutes, Empress."

"They–"

[They won't.]

And before Empress could even say anything, a voice whispered from one of the bangles attached around her arms– Whiteking's voice.

"Whiteking?" Darkday tilted his head, "I see. So that's why Empress is so confident with her flawed plan."

"..." Empress's eyes momentarily became dead as she heard Darkday's words.

"Anyway, I have a question, Whiteking," Darkday then said as he leaned closer to one of Empress's bangles, "Mother, how did the two of you meet?"

[...We're childhood friends. Enough with the chat, there's only a window of time we can proceed with this mission.]

"Let's talk after this is over, please bring mother."

[...]

"..."

"..."

"I'll be going then," Darkday then turned to face Empress, before his body started to fall towards the ground head first,

"People are going to die tonight-- a lot of them."

"It doesn't matter... retrieving Megawoman is our priority."

"I am starting to like you, adulterer. I promise not to kill you accidentally."

And with those words and a small giggle fading in the air, their plan finally started.

"D… Darkday!?"

"Why… why is he here!?"

There were currently 4 people outside the rubble; and all of them, almost trembling on their feet as Darkday slowly descended to the ground. And although his feet landed ever so gently and softly, the people that were there felt a small tremble rumbling within them.

"You have something of mine, kidnappers…" Darkday's whispers reached their ears, causing one of them to faint right there and then,

…I want her back."