The Devil's Puppet

[Zapp]

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, 'Come and see'. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

No one came for some time. Black Rose must have given the order that she was not to be disturbed, and her minions followed it faithfully. Her body slid off his and fell to the ground, life-blood draining from the major artery thus severed. She was dead a minute later, her sordid career ended so unceremoniously. Unable to move due to the restraints, time passed, much time, until finally someone braved to see what was taking so long.

A Phantom underling entered, and recoiled slightly. Blood was on Looper's mouth, dried now. Black Rose's body adorned the floor as a rug. The neophyte was unsure what to do, for the master was dead. He ran from the room to call another, more experienced Phantom in. More time passed, and Looper felt the pangs of thirst and hunger that bespoke a day gone past. There was no repast. It was as if they had to summon someone from another place to deal with the matter.

At length, Looper perceived an ominous sound. The heavy footfall of a beast who was dread above all... his name was but a whisper...

"Syn."

---