Whisper of Another World (Imugi)

Nobody liked being dead. It’s why one could watch a Namekian wander where he did not belong with a halo over his head, ask what sounded like an odd question with an obvious answer, and still catch the meaning. Not to say it didn’t go without some jeering and laughter from those who paid attention to the declaration. The topic certainly didn’t bother the evil spirits, demons or renegade ogres that frequented the hideaway, but they were also not a famously helpful bunch.

Sitting in a heap beneath their cloak and leaning against a currently unattended stall that advertised exotic liquors, Imugi opened their eye blearily at the latest arrival making noise. Having been dozing off, they took a few moments to assemble their wits and comprehend what the Namekian was talking about. Relatively recently deceased, if they were to guess by the boldness to go around asking such things. Groaning as they brushed their cloak aside and stretched their aching joints, the demon grabbed the neck of a bottle of wine they were concealing and stood. It was a strange sight to see for the first time, as an invisible force ruffled their cloak and the hem of their robe, supporting their body in lieu of the leg and arm they were missing.

“My, you are asking for trouble with announcements like that,” They rasped, taking disjointed steps toward the Namekian. There shouldn’t have been much difference in the pair’s height, but between Imugi’s perpetual weary slouch and famished build, they looked much smaller. Added to their lack of life energy to those keen to it, one might have been surprised that they had no halo above their head. Watching him at a slightly upward angle, they bared a smile of sharp teeth at the wayward soul. “Lucky you, I never much saw the appeal in swindling the dead.”

Imugi laughed softly at the thought before returning eye contact to Gandigan. “Well, you have found a demon. So who are you, dead thing, so eager to leave and self-important enough to think you deserve to?” They prodded, teasing the Namekian more than scolding him. Truthfully, they were curious. By their admittedly limited knowledge of his people, it was unexpected to see one thinking so little of his death.

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Imugi noted the Namekian’s cavalier opinion of the ogres and nodded in silent agreement. It sounded like he was something of a troublemaker by his account, and strong enough besides to outpace Yemma’s little helpers. Not that it was a particularly high bar to clear. What provided much more insight into Gandigan’s power was that he’d apparently died fighting Lottus. A fact that Imugi couldn’t help but cackle at, eventually descending into a hacking cough in the bend of their arm.

“Aheh. I think you underestimate just how many dead people there are. Though I can’t say I’d be surprised to hear that he is responsible for a reasonable fraction,” Imugi remarked, thumping their chest softly with the bottle they held. Their familiarity with the Saiyan was just as evident as their amusement. While Gandigan expressed his aspirations for escape, Imugi looked past him for some place out of the way, gesturing off to the side. “Always the unfinished business. Come.”

Slinking out of the way of the foot traffic, Imugi held their bottle of wine across their stomach as though passing it to their obviously absent right hand. Instead of shattering on the ground when they released, it hung in the air relative to their waist, then was covered by their cloak falling into place. They glanced back up to Gandigan, still smiling deviously. “Now don’t bare your fangs at me, but I happened to have been there when Lottus reemerged in the mortal realm. I don’t know the specifics, but he arrived via a dimensional portal and in doing so severed his connection to Otherworld. Rare magic, that. Thus his ‘secret escape route’ as you say is not somewhere, but someone.”

Having wandered over to a stone bench, Imugi turned and sat down with a sigh, their sword clanking at their side. “Mind you, I imagine he had an easier time persuading some old demon to do him such a favour. His life evidently means a great many more deaths. Carnage and fire spring up at his leisure,” The demon carried on, their tone taking on an indifference as they spoke of the destruction Lottus wrought. Granted, that was better than the entertainment they’d expressed prior. “Now, Gandigan, why the Hell do you think anyone would do you the same favour, hm? Who are you to anyone besides a bloodstain on that Saiyan's crimson record?”

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“Where have I-? Where have you been hiding?” Imugi snipped back at Gandigan. For whatever it spoke to their credibility, they did seem somewhat insulted by the notion. Nevertheless, they quickly reeled in their offense and listened to what the Namekian had to say. Though a little disappointed at how he brushed away their question, the demon still snickered at the comment regarding Lottus’ lack of friendships. Both at the alleged truth of the statement and the naivety to believe that was all there was to it.

Resting their chin atop their hand, Imugi paid attention with a distant smirk as Gandigan proposed his own theory. Their brow knit in thought while they tried to recall any such Shinjin, but no recollection came. With a shrug, they reached over and uncorked the bottle they stowed away. “I don’t make a habit of consorting with Shinjin. Pretentious godlings the best of times, and treacherous things when their fruit goes sour,” Taking a swig of wine, they winced before swallowing and turning the bottle to read the label, frowning at the lettering. “Just vile.”

Imugi set the drink back down and recorked it. Back to watching Gandigan, the demon contemplated the situation with a huff. “These four horsemen are of no familiarity to me, but I suppose it is just as possible they opened the Super Saiyan’s cage. Had I known of his regicidal aspirations when we met, I probably would have tried my hand at it too. Which does bring us back to you!” Suddenly, Imugi’s ghastly smile returned, somewhere between sarcastic and truly gleeful. “I can only imagine you want to get back at Lottus. If it’s been that long, I’ll do you the kindness of reminding that he did murder you once already. An experience most wouldn’t be so keen to repeat, Gandigan!” Giggling as they spoke his name, the laughter was cut short by a cough, which they buried in their cloak.

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Four Shinjin trying to wrangle the Super Saiyan so that they might use him as a weapon… The very idea made Imugi’s eye twitch in irritation. Fortunately, the idea was succeeded by the pleasant thought that they’d probably die terribly in the attempt. Their cough escalated a few moments longer as they laughed at the imagery, dying down slowly as they recovered. “Ha. Yes, I… don’t think I’m terribly concerned about it.”

Having cleared their throat and coaxed a breath back into their lung, Imugi hummed skeptically at Gandigan’s confidence. Everything they knew led them to believe it was misplaced. Perhaps he would seek Super Saiyan allies of his own, which had worked rather well in Hatchi to the best of their recollection. Though that might entail allying himself with the kingdom, a prospect that made the demon’s hand curl involuntarily around the handle of their sword.

“What makes you think he’d be my problem? I’m no damned ogre, he can wreak all the havoc he’d like down here. My problems are arrogant little mortals who forget themselves, who think it makes them powerful and important to stand over others. The dead are not my problem, Gandigan, they are the result of my solving them,” Imugi spat, vitriol seeping into their voice. The wine roiled in its bottle at their side, tipping over and rolling down to the ground. Though not directed at the Namekian, he was in the crossfire of the sudden anger that washed over the demon, though it began to recede just as quickly. “Kill him if you can. Then kill him again if he returns, since you’re so sure of yourself. Then again, and again, and again again again... Manage that, and let him make the mistake of thinking he can do it forever. The soul isn’t meant to do such a thing, he’d burn it out sooner or later.”

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Imugi scowled at Gandigan for trying to abate their anger, an act that only seemed to irritate them further. Who did this Namekian think he was, trying to rope them into his problem? They may have been mad, but not mad enough to turn their ire on Lottus without a real reason. Hissing through their teeth, the demon lashed out to grab the front of Gandgian’s shirt, though their grip would be predictably weak even if the Mazoku allowed them. “Are you only hearing what you want to?! You presume to know my methods, but you know nothing, little Namekian!” Imugi growled angrily, their bony knuckles whitening with their clenched fist. “I do not extend favours or hold debts, and I assure you, I do not care if Lottus lives or dies. He could be drinking the lifeblood of your planet right now and I would not lift a finger against him.”

Again, Imugi was suddenly cut off by a cough, which they did their best to stifle and released their grip in the process. Hacking into their hand, they pulled their palm away to see a small splatter of blood on their purple flesh. Their weakness made itself known as their shoulders sank, a light wheeze leaving them. “There was a time I would have taken Lottus on. Not because I delude myself into believing that I am good and just, Gandigan,” They looked back up to the Namekian while making the jab, wiping the blood on their robe. “It just sounds like it might have been fun… When my magic was strong and my body wasn’t destroyed,” A heavy sigh shook their frame, the demon’s entire body sinking with the lethargy they no longer ignored.

“We demons permeate the veil between this realm and the mortal rather easily, you understand. Killing an enemy was fine, but to be rid of them meant ensuring their soul be cleansed. It’s why I hooked my claws into what little life I had left when the Demon King Basillus tried to have me killed,” Reaching up, Imugi traced the edge of their eye patch, then down their neck to their missing arm. “Hmph… Point being, perhaps it could be done, but I do not have the ability or desire to do it for you. And it would be more foolish to seek another demon with the same proposition."

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A scoff left the demon as Gandigan told them to be thankful. Of course, if he had given Lottus a fight on his own, he probably was more than able to make Imugi regret their aggression. Not that they were inclined to let that stop them. For a moment, their hand hovered above their sword as the frail creature contemplated how quickly they could cut out the Namekian’s proud tongue... And then, they relaxed. Imugi had no real quarrel with Gandigan, much as his manners may have irked them. No sense in indulging their violent impulses here and now.

“Fine, make yourself scarce. Go find someone to realize your little pipe dream, and remember my warning when it comes time to pay the price for it,” Imugi waved the departing Namekian off, no less rude even having decided against attacking him. They stood up themself just as Gandigan began to leave their sight. Considering the bottle they’d set aside, they decided to grab it, tucking the wine in their belt before taking their own leave.

Slinking into the shadows, Imugi simply had to push their intentions to the forefront of their mind to reemerge in the mortal realm. Their business was back on Konats, but they lingered in the dark for a minute, reconsidering their priorities. They were still curious about Namek, and the time to sate that curiosity might have been running out if Lottus was out murdering the world. Humming to themself, Imugi made up their mind and refocused, the shadows rushing around them until they opened up to the world of green.

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