Ares stared down at Gold Tooth, his eyes gleaming with mockery. "Thought you'd be some burly man," he said, his voice dripping with disappointment. "But it seems you're nothing but bone and marrow."
Gold Tooth's expression remained serene, his violet eyes glinting with amusement. He was a man accustomed to power, one of the few Barons who ruled the Black Market with an iron fist. His gaze drifted to the orc's lifeless body, and a hint of approval flickered across his face. "I must say, I was impressed when you took down my pet with a single slash."
Asami's eyes narrowed, her hand still resting on the hilt of her blade. Gold Tooth's gaze met hers, and he offered a slight bow. "And for that, I think I'll answer any question you want."
Ares' expression turned intense, his eyes burning with a fierce curiosity. "I'm looking for a product that's been circulating in the streets," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "It's called the Catalyst."
Gold Tooth's eyebrows arched, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. "Oh, you mean the Amplifier?"
Ares' jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with impatience. "Yes, whatever it's called."
Gold Tooth's grin widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Yes, I've heard of it. I think it's a very effective way to give power to the... untalented."
Ares' face twisted in disgust, his voice rising in outrage. "That thing's a fucking poison! And your men are selling it in the streets? It's killing people!"
Gold Tooth's chuckle was low and menacing, his eyes glinting with mockery. "There are more than six Barons in this godforsaken Capital... and out of all six, you'd think so lowly of me, to distribute that Unholy drug to people?"
Ares' eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "Word on the street is pointing at you."
Gold Tooth's laughter was louder this time, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I might be a street rat, but I don't like playing dirty... and if you're so interested in knowing who might be distributing that lowly amplifier, you should seek someone called the Enchantress."
Asami's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with doubt. "And why should we listen to anything you say?"
Gold Tooth's laughter ceased, his expression turning cold. "You Imperial Soldiers are more stupid than I think, and it annoys me a lot. I don't want to keep seeing your silly faces anymore... they make me wanna puke...which is why you must listen to what I'm saying." As Gold Tooth finished speaking, he turned around, his back to Ares and Asami. "Remember, Imperial Soldiers... the Catalyst is not something to be trifled with."
He took a step forward, about to disappear into the darkness. Asami's grip on her blade tightened, her eyes narrowing. "Stop in the name of the law!" she commanded. "We still have many questions."
Gold Tooth's laughter rang through the tunnel, his voice dripping with amusement. "You think the law applies to me? I am Gold Tooth, a Baron of the Black Market. Not even the king can control me."
Asami's eyes flashed with anger, and she bolted towards Gold Tooth, her sword at the ready. She connected with a rough slash, but Gold Tooth dodged it incredibly smoothly, as if it was nothing. Asami quickly reacted, throwing another slash. Gold Tooth dodged again, his movements almost a blur. This time, Asami saw him snap his fingers, a grin spreading across his face.
In that instant, Asami realized she was in the kill zone and it was too late to dodge. A violent explosion, like a brutal force, settled over her shoulders, throwing her backward against the wall. She stood glued, unable to move even a muscle, as if stuck. The force was beyond anything she had ever experienced. She felt her bones rattling, her muscles screaming in agony.
Gold Tooth's voice rang through the tunnel, his words dripping with brutality. "Not even God has power over me... what more a mere esquire?"
It was then that Gold Tooth felt something cold pressing against his neck. He realized it was a sword, Ares' sword, pressed against his neck, with Ares standing behind him. He hadn't even realized that Ares had managed to move so fast, so undetected, that if he had wanted, he would have slice off his head. Ares' voice was low and menacing. "Don't make me do something I'll regret."
Gold Tooth sighed after he noticed the intensity in the words, forcing him to snap his fingers once more. The force holding Asami dissipated, throwing her back to the ground, coughing.
Ares withdrew the sword, his eyes never leaving Gold Tooth.
"Damn..." Gold Tooth said, turning around to face Ares, who was inches away from him. "...You could have killed me there."
"But I didn't...." Ares said.
"Why?"
Ares sighed, sheathing his blade at his back. "You have no idea how disgusting blood can be, especially if it's someone else's blood on your fucking hands."
Gold Tooth's smirk grew as he rested his hands on Ares' shoulders. He stared into Ares' eyes, his gaze piercing. "You're a good man," he whispered with a husky voice.
Without warning, Gold Tooth pulled Ares close, his lips pressing against Ares' in a smooth, mocking kiss. Asami's eyes widened, her insides tightening as she watched this happen.
Ares' expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened. "You should learn to wash your mouth if you're the type that loves kissing strangers," he said, his voice steady.
"Well, my lips should be sweeter than honey," Gold Tooth chuckled, the sound low and playful. "But, it's high time I walked out of this mess. Until we meet again."
Gold Tooth began to walk into the darkness, leaving Ares to wipe his lips with the back of his hand. "Bloody faggots," he muttered under his breath.
As Asami got up, shaking off the shock, she looked at Ares incredulously. "Didn't know you were a fag."
Ares smiled, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I'm not really a fag... I asked a friend of mine to use a charming spell on me, but it seems she didn't do the spell correctly. Now I charm boys into kissing me. Isn't that hot?"
"Oh please..." Asami said, but she couldn't stop the thought that crawled in her mind. What kind of magic did Gold Tooth use? She could almost remember the moment of weakness, and if he had wanted, maybe he would have crushed her there in the blink of an eye. She was glad Ares acted in time, otherwise she'd have been made history. "Be serious with your life...."
"I am," Ares said. "But I feel like what I call serious, always ends up becoming toxic danger."
The darkness slowly started pooling around them, like a cloud that slowly drifted towards them. Asami took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle on her. She stood firmly, knowing what was about to happen in the next few seconds, as the spell that binded them wore off. "This is going to sting..." She mumbled.