"Where's Rectos?" A large brooding figure asked.
He sat on a throne made of bronze with human bones laid at his feet like decorations. He wore a long brown trench coat with black stripes. The sleeves had been cut off. Several tattoos covered his arms, legs, and chest. For just a moment, something vast stirred behind him. Then it was gone. Even here, in his own domain, he kept it contained.
Five generals stood before him.
"We aren't sure. He was sent after Sodom, but he hasn't returned yet…" One of the generals said his voice trailing off.
The Chairman thought for a moment staring at the ceiling.
"Favian, Vector - go after him. If he hasn't returned it could be dangerous. Look out for each other."
Favian and Vector nodded and left the building. Once they had left, the chairman stood, the bones crushing beneath his feet without a glance downward. He had stopped noticing them a long time ago.
"I highly doubt Sodom was able to take out Rectos on his own. There's always the possibility that the Council had something to do with it or was the Death Parade," the Chairman said.
He paced up and down thinking of all the possibilities, then came to a decision.
"The three of you find the Death Parade. Find out if they had anything to do with this," the Chairman started. "I'll find out if Council has decided to wage war on us. Rectos doesn't disappear without the world paying its due."
The last three generals nodded and left without a word.
#########
An hour later Favian and Vector arrived in Froja. They went straight to Sodom's house quickly entering the home. In there they found Eddie.
"Where's Sodom."
It wasn't a question.
Eddie thought for a second. He didn't know who these people were, but it was obvious that they were dangerous.
"I don't know."
Vector grabbed Eddie. There was something in his face that went beyond anger — grief worn so long it had hardened into something else entirely.
"You sure you don't know anything. Lie to me and I'll make sure you won't live to see another day." As he said this, he cracked his fingers.
Eddie shook his head. The poison was starting to wear off but fighting these two was out of the question. Their divine power was much greater than his own, it was suffocating. Once again Eddie was reminded how weak he was. Though all of this Eddie felt one thing.
Fear.
Eddie started to squirm trying to break out of his grip. It was a primal instinct, fight or flight.
Vector still didn't let go. Favian held Vector's shoulder.
"I know you're worried about Rectos, but this guy clearly doesn't know anything." He said. "Let's go."
Vector finally let go, letting go of Eddie. They walked off still seeking Sodom.
At the same time the one who had made a promise to return, entered the village.
At the same time the one who had made a promise to return entered the village. The Phantom was back. Sodom still owed him money. And the Phantom always collected.