Chapter 382 - Asuna Muld

"Succulent," said Sultria wiping his mouth. The meal ended with them taking a walk outside. Cold and damp, the hill-station was more deserted than first appeared. A singular asylum for those who lived across the vicinity. As directed by the nice lady, there was indeed a motel of a few generous floors. The interior was simplistic, a proof of the hard times. The window gave on the front of the establishment. A narrow road led further into the heart of town. Many o' windows could be seen across the motel, windows of which were closed and never parted. 

"I'm glad we took the same room."

"The town has an eerie feel. I'd give it to the weather. The few people we came across were nice, accommodating, and helpful." Pulling the couch closer to the window, Staxius lit a cigar with a bottle of whiskey beside. 

"Are you sure it wise?"

"Yeah, don't worry," he puffed, "-this isn't enough to get me drunk." *Snap,* "-I've cast a barrier around. Tell me more about AHA and why you called on me."

"Sure," he pulled on the other couch to sit opposite. The cool breeze entered with the swaying curtains. "Whuotan is under attack. The reports date to almost a year ago. From fighting villains, the Allied Heroes were given the task of fighting the invasion. Needless to say, our forces overwhelmed the beasts at first. Just as a sigh of relief was going to be breathed, the beasts evolved to match and adapt to our DNA. I was left out of the matter entirely. Well, until it grew out of hand and here we are."

"Honestly," puffed he once more, "-you know nothing of the situation, do you?" 

"I'm afraid not."

"Not the matter, what of the AHA, how does it work, what's the basis for their actions, and how does their organization work."

"I thought you already knew?"

"I'm referring to the things kept hidden."

"If it's politics then sure. The AHA isn't funded by the Empire, rather, they're funded by companies and powerful businessmen. AHA is farther from being the helper of Alphia, tis rotten to the core. Those at the top aren't heroes, no, it's those with large sums of money to spend. The focus is on being popular, the flasher one is, the better. More public attraction meant more money, and more money was profit. Profit put inside the coffers of the leaders instead of the betterment of the people. You know how focused our culture is on idols and movie stars. We thrive on entertainment. Starlight's adventure has released a show not long ago. Him being the new and upcoming hero representing the AHA, sales went through the roofs. Kids gobbled the show as if starved animals – the choice of audience was perfect. It spouted many spin-off shows, figurines, toys, merchandise, you name it and it was there. A massive boom for AHA. Well, that was before Starlight lost his flare – the jokes, casual nature, grew boring. People wanted more action, more grit. Try as they may, the heroes could but be dogs wagging their tail at the chance of being chosen. Favoritism is made awfully clear with the class system between heroes. How dare we say we're the same as the Guild in Hidros. There, the adventurers have a purpose, a will to save those in need, they are the heroes, not us, not what has become of them with power. When all is said and done, AHA is nothing than a factory for producing content for kids. I'll give you an example of a hero so badly treated the whole thing was covered. Asuna Muld, a hero who went by the nickname of Luna, was once the most promising hero the people had seen. Before formerly being recruited by the AHA, her activities were independent and garnered the praise of many. Why would people not love her, a charming personality, her tight bodysuit, and a lovely figure was subject to many fanatical fan-groups to be formed. She skyrocketed to the top of the news overshadowing exploits the AHA had made. The fame brought had many offers of going to the movie industry. She only did one film, Luna on Earth. It hit, by hit, I mean, sales figures were in the billions. In an interview, upon asked whether if she would star in another movie, the response given was, *-I'm honored of the privilege to experience the movie industry for myself. I enjoyed every moment of it, though, I think my calling is still to fight villains and help my fellow comrades.* The very next day, she joined the AHA. On the surface, people loved her, she seemed to be on the top of the world, well, that was before the incident. Underneath her suit, underneath her makeup, laid a stain placed by the AHA. More specifically, the son of one of the backers. He took a liking to her; one thing led to another, they acquired revealing and incriminating pictures of her partaking in narcotics. The blackmail began during her shooting Luna on Earth. The son demanded her to be his – with the pictures against her, the movie, and fame. She could but nod. I sadly have a few clips of what the son recorded. Her being abused and tormented, very illicit imagery. Her cries echo to this day in my head. S.e.xually abused to satisfy the l.u.s.t of a sadist, her fate grew worse. The announcement to join the AHA was done out of necessity. The substance abuse increased, her bank-account lowered, the abusive boyfriend kept on recording their nights. Then, one day, after a blunder causing the death of a brother and sister of eight years old, the people shunned her for being careless. They didn't know how much she suffered. In the end, from that incident, the popularity dwindled, the son grew bored, the bank account emptied, her addiction turned destructive. Alphia then woke to the sad news of her passing away. Ruled as a suicide, the real truth was of the son's action. The way he made love was borderline assault, her overdosing on narcotics made her dull to pain, no screams meant no fun, and it ended in tragedy. She was strangled to death; the post-mortem picture is of her smiling. The Hero named Luna, trapped and killed by the actions of AHA. A private investigation by my team revealed that the dependence on narcotics was triggered by a visit to AHA headquarters. Her real age, despite her looking 19 was 35. A mother of a boy who studied at Hidros in the art of becoming a mage. Tis all I know of her past, as for how she met her end, you know it well." 

"Cry me a river," said Staxius untouched meanwhile cries came from the back. 

"What's the matter with you?" sniffled Gophy who soon teleported away. Intherna did the same in a subtler manner.

"Did you feel nothing from that?" asked Sultria with watery eyes.

"No," he said taking a puff, "-her story is sad. Her narcotic addiction, was it God's Ale or Angel dust?"

"Both, how did you know?"

"I figured as much," he paused, '-they gave a high enough dose to have her hook for life. Quite a good way to have a person self-explode, the AHA are lions in sheep's clothing,' then and there came a moment of inspiration. The scheming mind showed a course that would be entertaining.

"Emperor," said he, "-let me ask. Who are the people in charge of the AHA?" 

"I rather not say, that information is unknown to me – we know they are rich and powerful, tis the short of it." 

"Asuna, the hero named Luna, her end was abrupt. Do you know her child's name perchance?"

"Yes, it's Olaf Muld."

"Olaf Muld, you say he's studying mage-craft, what field exactly?"

"Magiology the last I heard of it."

"I knew it," he smiled, "-you do have a soft heart. The boy knows his mother died, but not the real reason. The studies are being paid by the Imperial family."

"That's an outstretch if I heard one, what would possess thee to say that?"

"It isn't a lie though," he smirked, "-Sultria, my son-in-law, you're an open book. The actions in the diner prior, the way you cried upon retelling the story. Strong and compose on most days, thee only cries if the issue has thy involvement. Why would the Emperor of Sultria know the life of a singular hero as opposed to countless others? The interest in Asuna Muld's case instead of the AHA. Remember, I asked for the latter? The response I got was that you knew not. The truth is that you didn't care. As for Asuna, a far more complex and deep case, you knew it all too well, you knew it as if being part of the investigation. The conclusion drawn is simple, thou hath the means to know what thee wants."

"I yield, Asuna was a close friend of Mother. Her birth is closer to being royal than one might think. Mother was she who took on Olaf's financial troubles."

'Not to mention she sunk into despair because of the drug we made. I must do her death justice, I care not for how she died. I do love exposing the strong – Alphia is fun.'

"Do you have a picture of Asuna perchance?"

"Yes, here," he showed via phone.

"Black-hair, she's young and strong. Tell me, Sultria, do you believe in ghosts?"

"I mean, what is a ghost. The art of magic dispels the fear of the spiritual."

"I know, yet, the fear of what comes after death is there – people believe in reincarnation and ghosts."

"I guess it's just about right. I'm not scared of death, I've seen it all too well."

"What of the businessman or a spoon-fed rich heir?"

"What are you referring to?" Sultria's eyes sparkled. 

"You caught my intent," resting the cigar, he took a sip, "-Asuna needs justice. You say she was a close friend of thy mother?"

"Very close, one could mistake them for sisters."

"Then it's sorted. Let's have the AHA have a taste of their own medicine. I'm in the mood of causing a revolution."

"What of the monster problem?"

"I've accounted for it already," he grinned, "-fate is very much a lady who has my heart. Gophy, I need thy help." 

"What's the matter?" asked she who materialized with no signs of cries.

"I've a plan in mind," he showed the picture, "-does this lady remind thee of anyone?"

"She looks like me. Of course, I'm prettier by all accounts."

"Yes, tis what I'm getting at, Gophy, you resemble her in some weird way. Listen, Sultria, I've decided. The AHA is going to pay, especially the rich-spoon fed heir. I'll make sure every penny is returned to him who lost everything."

"What's the scheme then, what are you plotting?"

"Tis a secret, I've a vague idea, it's best you not bother with the details. Call it a night," the windows shut, "-I'll go for a stroll, Gophy will stand as guard," *click,* shut the door with him dashing down the stairs. 

'If the leaders are rich people, I should be able to get in their good favors on that soiree. Dorino's reach is big. The monster problem, Asuna, Gophy, there's a link I can exploit. Nothing like a bit of scheming. Do people believe in ghosts, who knows, but I'll make sure they remember karma exists,' knocking over stray pebbles, he walked along the alleys onto a stone-path headed to the outskirts of the town. The view was of an endless drop onto a steep slope. 

"Lady Gophy, what did thee think of the king's words?"

"Nothing much," she sat woefully over the window, "-there but one thing to wait, and tis of a scheme. The story you recounted was of utmost grieve. I think Master sees Asuna as a way to make amends for a girl he knew long ago. A girl who went through a similar type of injustice."