He's able and unwilling.

“Eek!” Bell said, shoving Verdi back. Rather than stumbling backwards like a normal person, her hands pushed straight through his body and tore off both his arms at the shoulder, blood and connective tissue staining the ground as Bell screamed. She screamed even louder, looking at the blood drenching her hands as she took a step backwards, her foot crushing the floor and sending rubble in every direction. Verdi let out a curse as the shrapnel tore his leg off, swaying unevenly he raised his stump limbs in a vain attempt to stop himself from falling.

“SHIT-SHIT-SHIT-SHIT SOMEONE CATCH ME!” He yelled as Varrick dove forward, grabbing Verdi by the shirt as he hung mere inches from the dirty bar floor. There was fear in his eyes as he was left suspended in the air, face to face with the caked on filth and grime of Belsach’s dirty patrons. He swallowed to hide his fear, the prospect of face planting in the stale beer worse than **** itself as Varrick slowly pulled him back to his foot.

“Bell!? What’s wrong!” Daria asked, far more concerned about the vampire’s sudden mental breakdown than Verdi’s dismemberment. Bell took another step backwards, rubble flying out as she lost control of her insane strength. Varrick stepped forward, blocking the shards as Bell glanced around the room in a panic.

“Am… Am I Bell?” She asked nervously as Verdi nodded.

“Yes. You just lost your memories. Now please stop dismembering me, I really don't want to face plant in whatever caked on fluids are in Belsach's bar floor.” He answered flatly before squatting down and preparing to reattach his limbs, only to look at the filth on the floor and at his stained limbs. After a second of debate, he stood back up with Varrick’s help. “Evangeline, I hate to bother you, but can you spare some biomass?” He asked as the angel nodded, strolling over to Verdi.

“Of course dear. Say argh!” She said, holding him by the shoulder as he frowned.

“You mean ah?” He asked with a puzzled voice, only for Evangeline to tense up her muscles, bone exploding out from her knuckles as her blood drenched his clothing. Her right arm exploded, her skin unable to compete with the rate of her growing muscle as the angel’s arm tensed up, charging up power. Before Verdi could react she lunged forward, her fist punching straight through his stomach and emerging on the other side of his body.

“AAAAAAAAAARGH!” He yelped as the bone spikes rammed straight through his body, the angel scattering his organs as she held him midair by the guts. Bell screamed at the sight, cowering in fear at the grotesque show as Evangeline twisted her hand.

“Inventory.” She said, depositing her nutrient sludge straight in his body as his limbs shot out from their stumps, regenerating instantly as the optimized nutrient sludge was assimilated by his body. Luckily, Bell was busy shutting her eyes in fear to watch the depraved show of Verdi’s healing. Pulling her hand out, she let Verdi go as he hopped to his dismembered leg and removed the shoe, remaining on one foot to avoid stepping on Belsach’s filthy bar floor.

“I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.” Verdi grumbled while looking down at his tattered clothes. “Goddammit, I liked this shirt.” He mumbled, more annoyed at the tattered remains of his outfit than his disembowelment.

“Sadly, my ability is still on cooldown so I couldn't partake in your bounty, but rest assured we may feast upon our pain later.” Evangeline answered sadly, as though she had missed out on a particularly delicious meal. Nearby, they could hear a low chanting from Bell, the noises Verdi’s body made while healing leaving her insensate.

“Stay back, stay back. Stay back.” Bell whimpered as Evangeline took in the show, committing the sight with an evil grin as Daria sighed.

“You guys stay here. I’ll go take Bell for some fresh air.” She said before walking over to Bell, the two vampires speaking in hushed tones before leaving the bar hand in hand. As they left, Verdi walked to the bar and began looking around before swiping a piece of parchment paper and an ink quill. Dipping the ink quill in a well of ink, he began writing a note, his eyes focused on the parchment as he wrote.

“What are you doing?” Fenri asked, watching him frantically write his note.

“Writing a note to myself to read when I lose my memories again.” He answered, the alchemist far less excited about regaining his memories than Citrinas had thought. He’d been fixated on reclaiming his memories, and instead of cheering at the reclamation of his identity he seemed to give it little regard. No, there was something wrong. He was writing too quickly and far sloppier than usual, his neat handwriting borderline chicken scratch.

“Wait. If you’re leaving a note, are you gonna wake up as a blank slate when this is over?” Citrinas asked, not even trying to hide the concern in her voice as she gently clenched her fist, preparing for the worst as Verdi answered, continuing to write while he spoke.

“No, I'll just forget everything I’m doing at this moment. Think of me right now as sleep walking.” Verdi answered as though amnesia and reclamation of his memories were a common occurrence, his note now taking up half the page of random characters.

“We can just have Bell take a drink and restore your memories again.” Belsach offered as Verdi shook his head.

“I got three reasons why wiping Bell’s memories repeatedly is a bad fucking idea.” He snapped while cocking his head to his dismembered limbs, the limbs twitching every few seconds as though they had a mind of their own. As he wrote, Fenri strolled over and rested her head over his shoulder, her posture awkward as she tried to read his note. “Besides, I don’t think it’s fair having Bell lose her memories just so I can remember them.”

“What language is this?” Fenri asked, squinting her eyes and finding the writing to be nigh incomprehensible.

“My mother tongue.” He answered casually as she rolled her eyes and gently shook his arm.

“Change languages. I can’t read this.” She demanded as Belsach, Evangeline, and Varrick joined in, the three of them reading the language only to have similar failure in deciphering it. Citrinas quietly poked her head on Verdi’s other shoulder, joining in the party as she tried to read it. It was familiar, yet distinctly different from anything modern language spoken today. It was a rare language, taught only to natural born nobility and used to transfer covert messages between them. She didn’t speak, silently reading his note and committing it to memory.

“Why would I do that? It’s a note for me!” Verdi snapped back before clearing his throat. “Also, in 3 days, Eren will be here, and we need to help Tristiana save him. So we have 3 days to find her. Hopefully we can use the radar to find her.” He added, casual reference to the supposed Hero of the Hearth forcing everyone to go silent. For a moment, the only thing heard in the bar was the sound of his writing, the alchemist unwilling to elaborate further. Fenri was the first to speak up.

“Champ, who are you and what do you mean save Eren?” Belsach asked, his tone amiable as though he were trying to seduce the alchemist.

“I'm Eren's friend from another world, and by saving ERen, I'm saving his life and his eternal soul from damnation.” He answered succinctly as Belsach calmly cleared his throat.

“I’m asking nicely, Champ.” He said in a soft voice, the goblin’s hideous wart covered face contorting to a more grotesque form as his humiliating aura leaked out of him. Everyone in the room recoiled as though he had soiled himself, his mere presence like wallowing in feces. As much as he liked Verdi, even he was nothing compared to Eren. Verdi remained unperturbed by the casual show of power, the alchemist continuing to write without a care in the world.

“Dear, why is your name listed as Not Applicable?” Evangeline asked, the angel refusing to even hide her use of identification skills on him. Citrinas subtly did the same, using God’s eye on him as a familiar screen showed itself to her.

Name: N/A

Class:N/A

Race: N/A

Skills: N/A

Status: Curse of the Forgotten (Suppressed),Blessing of Oblivion, Blessing of the Magus (Suppressed), Curse of the Broken, Curse of the Spiritless, Curse of the Sterile, Blessing of Regeneration, Legacy of the Dead.

She’d seen this status before. When he’d been mentally broken by the revelation that he was a madman hearing voices in his head. His mind had been so broken that he had to clear it to remain semi-functional at that time. Yet, she could see he was expressive, he was responding to their questions, and he was joking with them. He was still functional, he looked to be the same person he’d always been. Judging by everyone else’s reactions, his status screen was a list of N/As. His acting was flawless, but Citrinas’ God’s Eye ability had a single utility no other person had.

It could read emotions. Verdi was a great liar and a master at hiding his emotions contrary to what everyone believed. He wore his heart on his sleeve because he wanted people to know how he was feeling. When he wanted to hide his feelings, only a Blessing could hope to see the truth. She read and re-read his mental state, silently comparing it to his easygoing demeanor.

Mental state: Panicked

“Because I don’t like people reading my status.” Verdi snapped back angrily as Fenri looked at him, using her own appraisal skill.

“Wait, if you remember everything now, does your Blessing cause you to lose memories?” Fenri asked, eyeing the note he had in his hands as though she wanted to rip it to shreds.

“Kind of. My patron goddess hates my guts and curses me whenever I use my Blessing, and Bell stole the curses from me on accident. I guess stealing Divine power includes debuffs too.” Verdi said with a shrug as everyone went silent. God did not take things away from their worshippers, they blessed them with more power. Not even the gods of the most depraved and cruel monsters dared harm their worshippers. He had to be lying, yet nobody seemed able or willing to question his words.

“What do you mean cursed?” Belsach asked cautiously as Verdi looked at the ceiling to think, his hands still moving as he compiled everything.

“My goddess sealed off my spirit power, my memories, most of my magic power, a bunch of skills, and my virility. Fun fact, amnesiac me is a eunuch in denial firing blanks and telling himself he’s doing it willingly. Bit pathetic to be honest.” He said, treating the list of disabilities inflicted upon him with the same seriousness as a grocery list. His inability to use Spirit power, his amnesia, and his strength being robbed were notable, but what stood out was his casual remark of lacking the Warmth Blessing. He’d always been insistent that he was using Warmth to ensure he wasn’t impregnating everyone, but now it seemed he was subconsciously denying reality. She couldn’t help but wonder what else was incorrect about his own body or about his origins.

“So why the fuck were you left on a mountain instead of working with Fox-Bitch?” Fenri asked as Verdi shrugged, himself unsure of the answer.

“I dunno. Honestly, I thought I was gonna die before the plan even started. They probably thought I was dead and left my smoldering corpse to burn in the snow.” Verdi theorized, the alchemist himself unsure of just how he’d ended up on a mountain and treating his own **** without any fanfare.

“They?” Evangeline asked, only for her eyes to sparkle as she realized the implications. “Dear, are you telling me there’s more hybrids like you and little Tris?” She asked excitedly, eager to add more specimens to her collection.

“Yup. All 15 of those bastards looked at me and said “Eh. He’s dead.” and fucking left me.” Verdi said, slightly miffed at being left for dead in a tundra. “You know, they didn't even give me a grave. Can you believe that? All that hard work, and not even a sign that says here lies the greatest hero who ever lived.” He said before grumbling about how his grave should be lavish, filled with gems, have a solid gold casket, and inscribed with every accolade and cool title he could think of.

“Hold on, is every hero from 8 years ago a hybrid!?” Varrick blurted out as Verdi nodded.

“Only the ones you couldn’t find.” He answered.

“Well, where are they?” Varrick continued as Verdi ground his teeth.

“Oh, uh, they're around. Doing everything exactly as I planned unlike A CERTAIN IDIOT FOX WHO DEVIATED FROM MY PLAN.” He said angrily as Citrinas flinched. Verdi was the mastermind behind everything? Had he sent her to the mountain then?

"What's your plan?" Citrinas asked, suddenly overjoyed to find that they had found the greatest source of information in their quest. Verdi knew everything, and he was obviously on their side, at least in theory. She could feel herself growing agitated as he looked away and crossed his fingers.

"Top secret." He answered succinctly as Fenri groaned.

“You got 5 seconds to talk before I get stabby!” She exclaimed, beyond annoyed at his shenanigans. Despite that, Verdi seemed unfazed by the threat. If anything, he seemed amused that they could get him to talk through **** considering his pain tolerance, his amusement matched only by Evangeline's growing excitement at the prospect of ****. The only person who seemed calm in the room was Varrick, the paladin studying Verdi’s face before speaking.

“Why won’t you tell us?” He asked, his voice surprisingly calm despite how annoying Verdi was being. Upon hearing the question, Verdi tilted his head back and forth, mulling over the demand before giving his answer.

“You’ve got traitors, and I can't blindly trust everyone since I don't know who is my enemy. Until I save my friend, I’m keeping the whole plan in here.” He said, tapping on his forehead as Citrinas looked at the ground.

“You don’t trust us?” She asked, feeling slightly more hurt than she expected. She knew that he had no real reason to trust her considering she hadn’t risked her own life for his sake, but it still hurt to hear it. As if sensing the hurt in her, Verdi raised his hands non threateningly, halting his furious writing to clear up any ill will she had received.

“Wait, wait, that came out wrong.” He said, awkwardly scratching his neck as he avoided eye contact with her for once. “I trust you guys with my life and I'd die for you all. I just don’t trust anyone but me with Eren’s life.” He answered as Evangeline gasped.

“Dear, you can trust me! I'd NEVER let you or Eren die! Not even in a million years! Just ask my previous lovers!” She said, her breasts jiggling as she tapped on her chest to emphasize her conviction. As everyone looked at the crazed angel, Belsach’s previous hostility faded away as he shook his head.

“Fine. I’ll trust you Champ. Don’t make me regret it.” He said, silently accepting Verdi’s answer. From the looks of things, it seemed he realized that having Verdi talk was borderline impossible. Asking nicely wouldn’t work, and **** was outright useless considering he shrugged off injuries that would kill pretty much anything on the planet.

“I can tell you this. Tristiana is working with me but she got delayed in, uh, Kolderia so she’s behind schedule and making mistakes as you can tell.” He said while awkwardly coughing into his hand, doing his best to conceal the fact that he was the reason she was delayed. Suddenly, Fenri grabbed him by the skull, the hero glaring at him as he broke into a cold sweat.

“Wait, did you plan on getting me mind controlled by Fox-Bitch!?” She asked as Verdi frowned and looked at her as though she were insane.

“No, how the fuck would I plan that? You weren’t even in Ruyanei when I drafted the plan! Tristiana deviated from the plan trying to snatch Citrinas, I interfered with her deviation on accident, now she’s behind schedule with the spark gap generator.” He said quickly, the abruptness of Fenri’s movements causing him to drop his note. He yelped, catching it midair as he inspected it for any ink smudges.

“Wait, why did you send me to the mountain you were on if you thought you were going to die? In fact, how did you do that? That was a joint choice made by several royals. Plus, I was there because Leraje collapsed a valley.” Citrinas asked, trying to make sense of the sheer logistics and meticulous nature of his plan. To execute such a maneuver would require political capital and foresight of a true master. When he looked at her as though she were crazy, a sense of dread filled her heart.

“Do I look like an omnipotent god to you people?” Verdi asked before shaking his head. “I’m sorry, that was a stupid question on my part.”

“God of femininity maybe.” Fenri mumbled as Verdi set his note back on the table.

“I heard that!” He snapped as Citrinas grabbed his shoulder to get his attention.

“If you didn't send me there, then who sent me to that mountain!? Who's the traitor!? Why did they send me!?” She asked, realizing why Verdi was so cautious. There was a traitor who was manipulating her as well. They’d sent her to investigate where Verdi was. Were they planning on having her kill him? What if he was supposed to kill her? A thousand questions ran across her mind, yet Verdi seemed unperturbed as he shrugged.

“I don't know. It's a big world Citrinas, there's gotta be smart people who saw my plan and acted. Plus, if I knew who your traitor was, don't you think I'd be telling you everything right now? He asked as Citrinas felt her face heat up in embarrassment. It was obvious that people would react to a plan and adapt. The fact that his plan had run almost perfectly despite him being disabled for 8 years was proof he was brilliant. To expect him to still have all the cards despite being “dead” for 8 years would be asking for the impossible.

“So what’s the note for?” Varrick asked as Verdi held it up for them, his completed note still incomprehensible to everyone but Citrinas. Rather than speak up regarding its contents, she remained silent.

“It’s my Blessing.” He answered, telling the truth regarding a portion of it. “I don’t want to use it if possible considering I’m already a crippled retarded eunuch, but I will if things have gone catastrophically wrong.” He said, his voice devoid of the slightest hesitation of crippling himself further. She couldn’t tell what his Blessing was nor what its effects were, but she did know one thing.

“You’re not going to use it ever again.” She commanded, clutching his arm tightly as he looked at the mage, startled at the authority in her voice. He seemed taken aback, as though he didn’t expect her to do this, only to crack a small smile as he looked away from her smoldering eyes.

“So, is there anything you’re willing to tell us?” Fenri asked, snapping the pair out of their trance as he coughed into his arm.

“Oh, one thing I want you two to know before I leave.” He said, snapping his fingers as he looked at Citrinas and Fenri.

“What is it?” Citrinas asked, bracing herself for some other revelation. He’d meticulously planned something over the course of 8 years, he was commanding the strongest generation of heroes to do his bidding like they were mere foot soldiers, and he had knowledge of technology seen only from the Ancients. She was bracing for an earth shattering truth, something that would leave her terrified of the extent of the traitors in her own country. Instead, what he said was far, far more jarring.

“Amnesiac me loves you two, but he’s too scared to actually say it out loud since he thinks you’ll reject him.” For a moment, everyone just stared at him, waiting for the punchline to his joke only to realize he was dead serious. Citrinas felt her face heat up, the arch-imago shrinking as she let go of his arm and tried to cool herself off by rubbing her hands on her face. Fenri, on the other hand, just burst out laughing uncontrollably.

“Champ, I respect you for being honest with your feelings, but, well, there’s a time and place for this.” Belsach said with a sigh, visibly annoyed by Verdi’s abrupt proclamation.

“And what do you, er, Verdi think of me?” Evangeline asked eagerly, pressing her chest into his back as she rubbed his shoulder.

“He thinks you’re alright, but barely knows you. He does think you’re very cool, a great fighter, and just a little eccentric, but thinks it might be nice to spend more time with you.” He said, the answer pleasing the angel as she stepped back, her wings fluttering as she blushed like a virgin.

“Oh Verdi, you’re such a tease, but if you want to stay with me, my Domain is ALWAYS open for you.” Evangeline said as Citrinas continued to cover her face trying to hide how red it was.

“Wh-wh-why are you saying this now?” She asked, her voice slightly quivering as she tried to regain her composure. He grinned, his eyes twinkling as he gave Citrinas his answer.

“Payback against the retard who shit up my plans in Kolderia.” He said, somehow insulting a separate person and himself at the same time. “Tristiana’s partly at fault for mind controlling Fenri and trying to snatch you since that wasn't part of my plan, but I mostly blame the jackass who delayed her long enough for Harvin and Mathias to show up for ruining my plan!” He added, quietly imagining the **** he was going to get on Tristiana. Rather than being bloodlust, he seemed like he was ready to pull one of his pranks on her. It was likely to be a stunt that was traumatic, annoying, and hilarious only to Fenri, but it was not lethal.

"So you're getting ****... On yourself?” Varrick asked as Verdi smirked and pointed to him.

“Yup! That’s what makes it funnier.” He said between soft chuckles. “When that jackass finds out what I did, he’ll get even angrier when he realizes he can’t get back at me!” He said before looking at Fenri, the hero still laughing uncontrollably. As he looked at her, she took a deep breath and composed herself. “Hey, Fenri, when I lose my memories again, you should offer to help him get **** and watch him seethe.” He joked as the hero patted him on the back.

“Here I was afraid you’d be a different person with your memories, but you’re still the disgruntled, perverted gremlin I know and love.” She said as Verdi reached down and grabbed her ass to prove her statement.

“You know me so well.” Verdi said cheerily before elbowing her. “Hey, wanna fuck with him some more?” He asked as the pair exchanged a smile that could make a flower wilt. Citrinas rubbed her eyes to ease her growing headache, the pair still in perfect sync as Fenri lent him her ear.

“I’m listening.” She said as Verdi held his hands up to paint the scene, gesturing as he spoke.

“I’m gonna pass out in a bit when the Blessing ends. While I’m ****, I want you to strip me naked, throw me in bed, and I want you and Citrinas naked and embracing me. Then when I wake up, say last night was the best fuck you ever had.” He said between chuckles as Fenri frowned.

“Why?” She asked as Verdi made a wide gesture as though he were unveiling his greatest masterpiece.

“Imagine how humiliating it is to be cuckolded by yourself. Bet you he's gonna cry if you pulled something like that.” The two burst out laughing, the mere thought of the prank leaving their sides in pain. Even Verdi’s inhuman pain tolerance was nothing as the pair hung onto each other to stay upright.

“You’re a real bastard, you know that?” Fenri said before slapping him on the back. “Yeah, I’m in. Let’s fuck with him.” She said as Citrinas interjected.

“Cucko-you’re the same person! Your lovers can’t cheat on you with you! That’s just sex!” She said indignantly, only to regret her words the instant the pair looked at her. It seemed she wasn't exempt from their little pranks.

“Lovers huh?” He said, Citrinas feeling her face heat up like a kettle once more. Suddenly, he dove forward and gave her a hug, kissing her on the cheek as she broke out into a cold sweat. “I love you too Citrinas. I'm really happy the feeling is mutual.” He said, the joking tone in his voice doing nothing to alleviate the effect it had on her as she felt her mind go blank. They'd done things in the bedroom beyond the human form, he'd used every orifice on her body for his pleasure, but the simple peck on the cheek was enough to leave her borderline insensate as she tried and failed to regain her composure.

“Look at you Princess, being romantic in front of everyone.” Fenri said, patting her on the back while looking down at the arch-imago shrink even further. Citrinas could feel her own embarrassment boil over as she slammed a palm on the bar counter.

“We should be discussing how to find my sister and what we’re supposed to do when we find her, not-not-not our romantic-no, personal, personal life!” She said, **** to change the subject as Verdi shook his head reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, I’m gonna save your sister and Eren with the radar. My plan is foolproof… Er, fool resistant. As long as Verdi doesn’t fuck up my plans again, we are golden!” He reassured her. “You just need to help me find Tristiana, tell her I’m the one who hybridized her, and she’ll know what to do!” He said, the casual remark causing everyone to look at him.

“Wait, you hybridized my sister!?” Citrinas asked as Verdi nodded before flinching abruptly. His mind seemed to wander off as the slightest hint of pain ran across his eyes. It wasn’t emotional pain, it was genuine physical pain in his eyes, like someone was hitting him at that moment. He smile and he clapped his hands together, hiding the pain as he put on a brave face.

“Oh, I’m out of time. Once again, please catch me when I pass out, give amnesiac me the note, and tell him I said fuck you.” He said, handing his note to Fenri as Citrinas ran forward.

“Verdi! Wait, you can’t just pass out now!” She said, only for the alchemist’s body to go limp, collapsing backwards. His eyes drooped as his breathing stopped, He didn’t even try to stop his descent as he fell into Citrinas’ arms. As soon as she caught him, her heart sank. He didn't have a heart beat. His body was growing cold. He had no life signs whatsoever. This wasn't a normal case of someone reclaiming their Blessing from a vampire. Something was wrong.

“Someone get Bell! I need to-” Citrinas began, only for Belsach to grab her shoulder, his long fingernails staining her coat. She wanted to bat him away, only to see the look on his face as he shook his head.

“I know your sister’s important, but Champ is not going to trust us and I think it's a fair assessment. Plus, if all 15 heroes trust him, I think it's fair to say he knows what he's doing.” He said as he sighed, ignorant that she did not want Verdi to reclaim his memories. She wanted to make sure Bell's memories were still gone, that this wasn't the result of a vampire's power.

“I'm not-”

“Look, I’m going to have my men put the radars around the city and keep an eye out. You keep an eye on Champ. When he wakes up, you should talk to him.” He said as Citrinas bit her lip, unable to speak up. Raising her hand, she focused as power welled within her before a portal appeared, her Domain shimmering as she looked to Fenri.

“Let’s go put Verdi in bed.” She said as Fenri threw him over her shoulder. As the trio returned to the pocket dimension, she looked to the note Fenri had clutched in her palm. Verdi obviously wanted to keep this secret, and they couldn’t trust anyone. The only person she could trust was Fenri, the hero being in a whole other world. They walked through her castle, Fenri humming a tune to herself as she unceremoniously tossed Verdi in bed, preparing to strip him naked for her prank. Just before she remove anything, Citrinas spoke up.

“There’s more to his note than just his Blessing. He wanted to keep something secret from us. I think you should know.” She said as Fenri froze in place. She threw a glance to Verdi, then to the note in her hand. At first she looked like she wanted to tell Citrinas to stay quiet, to trust in their friend that he was keeping everything secret for a reason. When she saw how scared Citrinas looked, the pair left the room and sat in Citrinas’ study.

“Talk. Now.” Fenri demanded, handing the note over to Citrinas as she looked it over one last time. She wanted to have misread it, but as she gave it one final look over, she grudgingly accepted that she was correct.