Prompt 490 Bane - naughty_bangles - Rumors - Original

[naughty-bangles.livejournal.com]

Title: Rumors
Fandom: original
Prompt 490 Bane
Warnings: Mentions of blood and all massacre.
Word Count: 594


The rumor spread through the city fast, travelling on the back of low, whispering voices. No one could swear anything, because no witnesses could be found; people did disappear, though, and were never heard of again. A dozen missing persons, and not a single eye witness: rumors of slayers had started from less than that, and most used those false alerts as a proof of simple popular gossip. It was easy enough to explain: a couple person out to hide somewhere, a deal gone wrong, the past back to catch up a bit for some. It could have been anything.


It wasn’t time for rumors anymore when they found the bodies. Butchered didn’t quite fit what had been done to them. It wasn’t just a senseless massacre, with blood and body parts everywhere; it was a warning, artistically staged to produce the highest effect. The basement where they were found was nearly overflowing with dead bodies, most having been physically quite impressive. They all looked helpless now, set in vanquished postures, pain still visible on their face. Most were thugs, there because of past deeds awaiting payback. Some had been at the wrong place at the wrong time, unfortunate witnesses to a harsh justice that didn’t tolerate them. One of them was a child.


There was no signature, because none was needed: only one slayer was cold enough to orchestrate such a massacre. Even though nobody has proof, they weren’t rumors anymore. The Bane was in town.


Discussions of the Bane usually happened with whispering voices, on a corner, as if speaking his name too loud would summon him on the spot. But tonight, after a few barrels of the local moonshine had been opened, some had thrown caution out of the window.


Rarudo had drunk more than his share, and was standing precariously on a chair that looked like it would break under his weight at any time. He sticked out his broad chest, playing the card of the alpha male ready to save the day ad nauseam.


“Maybe it’s fate that brought the Bane here! We can’t just stay here and cower until he is done with us. We must destroy him. *I* must destroy him. Believe me, when I’m done with the son of a bitch, his mother won’t be able to recognize the pieces left.”


Most patrons ignored him, or at least tried to. Rarudo was one of the strongest demons around, but if strength had been enough to stop the Bane, his reign of terror wouldn’t have lasted that long. You could read on the faces of most of those present that not only they didn’t believe Rarudo to be up for the task, but that the mere thought of defeating the Bane easily was the kind of blasphemy that could conjure the slayer to destroy the pub and all those inside. Yet, no one dared to interrupt the demon, for retaliation was sure to happen, and escaping the Bane to fall under the fists of a drunk demon was not a happy perspective.


“Calm down, Rud, or it’s gonna be no more booze for you”, the bartender finally said, invoking the only authority Rarudo was likely to obey. An hesitation crossed the demon’s face, mixed with a surge of anger, but reason eventually won and he got down the chair, mumbling about cowards and not being able to recognize his own greatness. Once he was quietly sitting at the counter again, the atmosphere in the pub relaxed, and the usual chatters and laughters were soon invading the space.