The House Magriuz - An FFXIV OC Lore Companion

"Cornet 'n spinet
The sound flows, follows till they're home
Dragged by the power of dreams
That power is yet unknown"
- Twister (The World Ends With You)

"Legends once talked about a forgotten city just outside the borders of Eorzea. Though history has long erased the name of its city, the legends of their existence persisted and preserved many clans of myth and legend. One such noble clan was that of the House of Magriuz. Few scholars and historians remember the name of those once recognized as the Wanderers of Green. Notable for their green hair, those with the blood of Magriuz were easy to spot within the city. Scholars, merchants, mages, adventurers... Small they may be to those within the walls of Eorzea, but their exploits were that of legend. And like most legends, they were erased.
Those who survive the memory of the city's legend debate to this day on what Umbral Calamity cleansed away those who perished in history. Some say it was the fourth. Others the fifth.
Many deny that it could have been the sixth Umbral Calamity with claims that a clan with bright green hair and regarded influenced could not have perished and be forgotten in just the previous cycle."
- The Borders of Eorzea (Rhiean Und, 6th Astral Moon)

At the Quicksand, a male highlander white mage and a female midlander warrior sat across each other on one of the tables looking over the book describing the Magriuz Family.
"Hmmm" The highlander boy crosses his arms, giving the book a stern look. "Is this really all they have? It was a miracle we got a blurb out of it even."
The woman pound her fists on the table. "Take this seriously! It took me forever looking for this."
She looked down on the book, slowly losing the energy as she continues staring.
"But you're right... There... really isn't much to go by with this."
Silence, nothing but the bustling of the adventurers guild echoed them as they sit there, defeated.
"Don't give up just yet, Aria." The mage tells her. "At least you found something. Not even the many preserved knowledge in Giridania could tell me anything."
"Lars, why do you insist on staying with the forest people anyway?"
The large mage shrugged "Would you rather I go around being unpredictable like Uriah? Where is he anyway?"
With a small puff of smoke, another midlander appeared before them. Unlike the white clad Lars, this one was dressed in black from top to bottom.
"Here I am!" He exclaimed. "Sorry I'm late. Had to pick something up."
Aria sighed. "For once in your life, can you PLEASE be on time."
The boy sneered. "Aw, but being fashionably late is so much more fun. It builds suspense."
The two were not amused.
Uriah pulled up a chair and took a look at the book laid out in front of him. "Don't bother with that. It won't tell you anything."
"I noticed." Lars hissed.
From the Quicksand's counter, the lalafel that tended to the guild strode over to the table with 3 tankards of mead for them.
"Aw, thanks Momodi." Uriah smiled.
Momodi gave him a curt chuckle and tossed him a key. "Don't go casting spells in your room... again."
The mage returned a grin and looked back at the two.
Incredulous glances were given to him as if to ask "What the hell are you doing?"
"I was late... Because I picked up something Mom gave me a long time ago. I've seen what most historians have written about the Magriuz. But wouldn't you say... It would be much easier to learn more about them from the source?"
The two were silent once again.
Uriah pulled down his hood and shook the sweat off of his messy green hair.
Lars did the same, sweeping a hand over his short, green hair.
Aria took off her helmet, allowing her flowing green locks down her shoulders. 

~~

Lars, Uriah, and Aria Magriuz were raised like normal Eorzean citizens by their mother. A beautiful, green haired maiden by the name of Contessa Magriuz.
It was always a mystery where Contessa and her children came from.
Most assumed she was but a refuge at first glance. But she couldn't have been when she looked to have the Gil for all they need.
No one knew where the Magriuz came from and no one bothered them when they could live like any normal citizen. Mayhaps they had just decided to move there?
Though one did wonder how Lars were related to his siblings, Contessa explained that her first husband was a highlander who had died many years ago.
When asked where the father is, Uriah and Aria would grimly recount the moment of his death in detail. A trip gone wrong. A sudden ray of light that erased the poor midlander father from the face of Hydaelyn. Only the man's dagger remained.
Contessa does not like to talk about it.
Because the existence of the Magriuz name was all but myth that very little know about, they had lived in relative peace.
Lars, large in size, was expected to become a warrior by friends and peers. And while he did exceed in physical combat, the man was far too kind and put his interest in healing others and learned white magic from a family friend. He was teased at first, being belittled for not living up to the image projected on him. That is until his magic had saved his peers from death in one particularly dangerous skirmish.
His younger brother and sister were a different story.
The fraternal twins were two sides of a coin.
Uriah, the older twin, was quite unlike his kind and gentle older brother.
There was a dangerous inquisitiveness that accompanied Uriah's playful and smug nature. It was hard to believe that someone with a smart mouth would be related to Lars. Contessa, in her few comments about her late husband, would mention that his father had a similar attitude.
But no one denied his talents. His sneakiness and sharp mind was only accompanied by his ability to use magic. Though capable of healing, Uriah was well versed in destruction and randomness that fuels his unpredictable nature. He was expected to become a rogue.
Aria, the younger twin, was steadfast and louder than her patient brothers. Where they excelled in magic, Aria was more enthralled by the prospects of holding a sword. Having spent her time with soldiers of the Immortal Flames, she would spend her time getting stronger physically as her Aether could not match that of either Uriah or Lars. Initially, men who had encountered her sneered and underestimated her capabilities for being female. Those men would soon find their throats under the heel of her boot as she quickly defeats them. Unlike her brothers, she became a warrior quickly just as she was expected to become a warrior.
Their lives went on like normal until Aria would one day find mentions of the House Magriuz in a small book of family history. There was very little mention of their history and she would soon share this interesting find with Lars and Uriah.
Lars and Aria were more than happy to ask their mother for answers while Uriah watched on.
But Contessa gave no answers, only cryptic clues about the nature of their bloodline.
"We the Wanderers of Green walk to harness the Projected"
Unsatisfied with this, Lars and Aria would soon leave home and pursue their careers outside the walls of Uldah in an attempt to also search about their bloodline.
Lars, migrating to the trees of Giridania. Aria, wandering as an adventurer in Eorzea.
They never did find out when Uriah decided to leave. Just that he was not home when they had come to visit Uldah.
His exploits would quickly reach their ears however as they learn of a green haired sorcerer wreaking havoc in fields of battle and proceeding to participate in strange jobs.
He had gone on to pick up an alias, a borrowed name from someone they believe to be his friend.
"So what is this thing that Mom gave you?"
"Her diary."
"Are you serious?!" Aria pushed Uriah to the wall. "You had this all along and you didn't think to contact us?!"
Lars restrained their angered sibling.
"First, Ow." Uriah said, swept his shoulder. "Second, it's not like you guys asked. You guys sort of just went on to do your own thing."
"You know we wanted to know more about our family!" Lars pointed his finger at him. "We searched our whole lives for clues and you're just telling us now that you had them?!"
The highlander jabbed an accusatory finger at Uriah. Normally calm, it was easy to understand why even the kind one had lost his patience.
Uriah swatted his finger away, finally a serious look replacing his annoying grin. "Mom didn't want you guys poking around it so I didn't say anything."
He picked up one of the tankards they had brought with them and took a drink as he walked over to the bed.
"You guys just took off and left her alone. Broke her heart. She said she wasn't ready to tell you."
"Well she's not here anymore, is she?" Aria crossed her arms and glared at her twin brother.
Uriah shrugged. "I guess."
He put the tankard down and reached into his bag. From within, he procured a small, black diary. It was wrapped in twine and slightly beat up but relatively preserved.
Without another word, he handed the diary to Lars, who had quickly swiped it from him.

"Preserving our history:
The Magriuz Clan had scattered during the 5th Umbral Catastrophe. In that neverending ice age, the city that once kept my grandfather's family alive had started giving in. The cold was too much and not even the solace of the grand Magriuz Household could keep them going. It is with great sorrow that they must scatter as foretold by them who preserve the future. They of past and present follows. We were called fools by those who stayed but far be it compared to those whose fates were that of oblivion. Father lived through the War of the Magi while more of his family were lost. More and more scattered, quickly resulting in ensuring the legacy of the Magriuz from being further diminished. We were scattered. We were lost. My generation persists through the 6th astral era.
Though little, the Magriuz that were still within my father's reach stayed together and tried to rebuild Not such an easy feat.
Soon, I would be born.
Contessa Magriuz lived peacefully. But would Lars, Uriah, and Aria be the same?
Being told what my future children's names would be, even as a prank from my Forward Projected Seeing Brother, Celo was something I wanted to hear.
I of the backward projected could only look back.
~
I met Thulm as a young lass. He was large and scared me at first, but he was kind. He loved me.
And inevitably, he would save me from the destruction laid upon my family.
My brother would soon be the only one left as mages of some sort of voidsent had come searching for the powers of the Wanderers of Green.
They found it and died along with it.
We had since gone on to live quieter lives. Alas, Thulm would not survive another Astral moon after succumbing to illness.
~
I have always been one to avoid people with silver tongues and fast fingers. So why was it that Addas swept me off my feet?
The backward projection he held was that of a powerful history such as ours and we found kinship. That of the Magriuz and that of the Verc. So while it shocked me to watch my husband eradicated by light, it also did not surprise me.
I do not know if he is dead. I do not know what happened. But I will find out. Mayhaps I will find him.
~~
It has been decades since my brother had contacted me. Hearing him tell me that he had met Uriah in a dream meant that Uriah has awakened to our bloodline's secret. He who can Forward Project. He who is a soul of the future.
It pains me to watch my sweet... rather, sharp boy undergo that pain. But he is very good at hiding it. Seeing into far to the future and extending his soul to what must be the modern era and yet be trapped here in the present.
Lars and Aria have been saved from this power... for now. I will let them enjoy their lives.
~~
They have begun asking questions. Questions I cannot answer. No, questions I do not want to answer. Questions I forbade Uriah from answering.
They are not ready.
~~
Uriah has been comforting me as of late. It must have been painful for him as well when he watched his siblings leave. Even if he may have known it would happen. But I cannot divulge them of what fate may await them until they awaken to it.
Even Uriah cannot tell when that is.
I hope one day they can forgive me.
The history of the Magriuz is one bathed in sorrow and violence.
~~
If you are reading this, I have passed on and Uriah has allowed our history to live.
Lars, Aria, do not blame your brother from withholding this secret.
I could not be there to teach you what our Projection could do. I have failed you.
But it is not the end.
When the time comes that you awaken to your power, it is up to you to find the rest of our family. Save them from the next Calamity.
All my love,
Your Mother Contessa."
~~
Lars looked up from the diary, his mouth agape as he handed it to Aria.
Uriah stared at him, another sneer on his face.
He ignored it, proceeding to sit down next to his younger brother.
Suddenly, he pulled the boy into a slow embrace. The smug smile faded from Uriah as he felt awkward from his older brother's hug. "I am so sorry..."
"What's the big deal?" Uriah pat Lars' back. "I've been lying to you two for ages. This one was a cinch."
Aria shut the book and scowled at him. "How even? Why even?! This isn't something that you should have been burdened with!"
Uriah scoffed. "Please. It really isn't a big deal. I saw the future here and there. So what?"
"But that's not--" Lars pulled away from his brother.
He lowered his head and felt sweat drip down his head.
"Lars?" He keeled over and dropped into the bed.
Aria rushed over and tried shaking him awake until Uriah stopped her.
"Stop." Aria didn't even get a chance to yell at her. "It's happening."
"What do you mean it's happening?"
"He's awakening." Uriah placed a hand over Lars' forehead and Lars winced as if in pain. "He's seeing the past."
Aria backed away. Not because of surprise.
In her heart, she felt it once again. That envy.
That envy that used to consume her as her brothers were recognized for their magic. And now both of them have powers? She was always the one searching for her family's history and now she was the one left behind again?
Uriah switched his gaze unto her. "Aria. You have to awaken your powers. And if my guess is right, it will be soon."
"Why? Because you saw the future?"
He shook his head. "Just a hunch. If it took Lars this long to awaken, I think your powers are next. But what it may be, I don't know. Mom never talked about how Projection of the Present worked."
"Projection of the Present?" Uriah said nothing, only watching over his unconscious brother.
Aria sat down next to him. "What are we supposed to do?"
"I don't know." Uriah gave her an indecisive grin. "But if anything... Eorzea certainly got a lot bigger."

Thanos Venge - Exordium

"If you're a ghost, whispering
 Then I'm waiting, listening"
- Left of You (Eclipses for Eyes)

Reese Morrison never had a problem coming over to his best friend, Terrence Sanders' house even if it was a little far from the rest of society.
"Who would pass up on a chance to live in a beautiful house overlooking the cliff?" Terrence had once asked him.
"Sane, sensible people who don't want to fall to their deaths when an earthquake hits." He sarcastically replied to his Best Friend.
"Dad paid good deposit to make sure that doesn't happen."
But there was something very wrong when they arrived this time.
For the first time in their lives, Reese and Terrence had overheard Terrence's father, Colin, angry. With some lady in their house no less.
But they weren't alone. Inside, Reese could spot at least 2 other men wearing business suits and shades like some sort of secret service.
They couldn't hear much of the conversation from the porch, but it sounded like a business thing that Reese and Terrence shouldn't be messing with.
"You're going to jeopardize us all!" Colin shouted.
The woman, whose hair was dyed a deep blue, crossed her arms.
"You have no idea what you all are playing at here. We're crossing too many lines!"
"And you grow a conscience now?" One of the men replies.
"I needed the money. I didn't expect this revolution!" She stomped her foot down. "Why on earth would you want something this radical?! I can't be a part of this!"
Reese already knew this wasn't good. That they should leave and probably call the police. But he and Terrence were rooted to the spot.
"We should..." Terrence started. The sea crashed down from below and the sounds of waves echoed across the area. But it couldn't muffle out the obvious sound of a gunshot.
Reese fell over. He kept his mouth from screaming by covering his mouth with his hands. But he couldn't say the same for Terrence, who had gasped at the horror of watching his father murder someone right before his very eyes.
The woman, who had stubbornly stood her ground was now lying lifeless on the ground with a gaping hole on her forehead. Blood seeped out from her wound, mouth, and nose.
"Dad..."
They all heard it. The two men and his father looked over.
His father gave a similarly horrified look. A look of guilt and pain over what his son had just witnessed.
The two men whispered something to him and his eyes widened in even more despair.
"What?! But..."
"We need to make sacrifices." One of the men suddenly said. "Your heart belongs with us, I know. Just as Rain's heart was when he had to do it. We need no compromises."
Terrence stepped back, his quick mind already processing what this sacrifice could mean.
"Or you can follow Janine's sacrifice." Colin turned to the woman's body, staring at the shocked expression that was left on her face.
He closed his eyes and sighed.
Reese didn't need to look to know what was going to happen next.
He grabbed his friend and made a beeline to his car.
There was shouting from behind them and three footsteps as well.
Terrence didn't have time to put on his seatbelt as Reese revved the car and gunned it.
"We have to go to the police. We need to-" Terrence, who was looking behind them as they went, suddenly turned the wheel. He swerved just as he heard the gunfire across the path behind them. Glass shattered from behind and Reese screamed, speeding his Honda Civic to get the hell away from their.
They made it out to the main road and Reese quickly followed the road towards the police station.
He looked back to see if they were following behind. Terrence's father was a dot on the path to the house, but he didnt follow anymore. "I don't think they're following us. What did you turn the wheel for?!"
Reese slowed down a bit and turned to his friend. "Whatever. We're almost to the police and--"
Terrence had slumped over. Blood seeping out from the side of his head. A bullet had hit him to the left side of his brain.
Reese choked back a scream and quickly sped to the hospital, which was thankfully a corner away.
He was waiting at the emergency room, blood soaked his shirt and pants. His eyes were wide, his hands were shaking and he could only keep staring down.
30 minutes later, the cops arrived to ask for his statement, with his father his other best friend, Mandy Roe, and Cynthia, Terrence's mother arriving minutes later.
He powered through the questions, trying to pull it together enough to provide the police what they need.
After they were done, his Father and friend tried to comfort him but he could not utter a word and only let tears flow down his cheeks.
He refused to leave, wanting to know how his friend is.
About an hour later, a surgeon returns to them and talks to Cynthia.
The next 5 foreboding minutes drove Reese crazy. He was waiting, hoping that Terrence's mother does not break down crying to signal his friend's death.
But she did not. She had her hand to her mouth and exhaled. But as the doctor continued, Cynthia's expression darkened.
"What did he say? Is Terrence going to be okay?" Reese's father asked.
She nodded her head. "Terrence was shot at the far left side of his head. He narrowly missed a fatal blow. They were able to remove the bullet successfully."
Her eyes suddenly got glossy and she had to sit down to breathe.
"But he's in a coma and they don't know when and if he'll ever wake up."
When they were finally allowed to see him, Reese could only look at his friend, once vibrant and energetic, now a vegetable and quiet.
If he hadn't swerved the wheel, it would have been him in this state. Or worse, dead.

-X-

Reese woke with a start, his body drenching in sweat and his heart racing.
Another dream about that day. He pressed his face against the pillow he clutched to his chest and exhaled.
It's been a month since the incident and almost everyday he's reminded of it because his dreams wouldn't let him forget.
"Reese!" His father called. "Breakfast! You don't want to keep Mandy waiting!"
That was right. Today was the day he and Mandy would move to Eastbrick Academy dorms. With their parents going abroad and none of their siblings around, they had to move to a boarding school. 
They all planned to do this for over a year and now that it was happening without Terrence, it felt empty. Sad.
"Are you sure you still want to push through with this?" Vas Morrison took a sip of his coffee. "You know, I'm sure your brother or sister would be more than happy to come home and look after you while I'm gone. Mandy can stay over too while her mother is away. You don't have to leave your old school."
The concern was touching, but Reese had made up his mind.
"It's not like we can pull out now that the mid school year is about to start back up." It was a lie. He could very well cancel it if he wanted to and just stay here.
He looked up at the clock. They had time before he needed to bring his dad and Mandy's mom to the airport. "And beside, I'd rather not drag Molly or Trent back home from their busy lives. I'm sure I can handle living in a fancy boarding school for a while. And it's not like it's gonna cost you much."
Vas sometimes wondered what his wife would have said if she were alive. He knew that there was something more to what Reese wanted, but it's not like he could force him to stay if he didn't want to.
"I'll be fine, Dad." Reese smiled. He hoped this one wasn't a lie. Considering his nightmares, he's already considered seeing a therapist. But he didn't want to worry his father. His concern touched him, but if Vas knew he wasn't okay, he'd drop everything for him. He'd rather just see his school councillor once he gets there.
"I'll go load our things into the car."

-X-
Vas was always casual with Reese and didn't express his emotions without being extra. He gave him his allowance, hugged him goodbye, and told him to stay safe and contact him if anything happens.
Larissa Roe was far more exaggerated when she was parting with Mandy, barely pulling away when Vas told her they had to go.
But it really was the sort of distraction they needed as they drove to Eastbrick Academy.
They spent about the first 20 minutes discussing their parents reactions and what they would do when they reach Eastbrick.
"I just wish Terrence was here." It wasn't until his name was brought up that their moods dipped and silence enveloped the car. Just the sound of Reese's spotify blasting The Ballad of Mona Lisa echoed in his car.
Mandy tried hard to just browse social media but she just couldn't bear it.
"We need to talk about it at some point, Reese." She was right. They did need to talk about it. "And how we're still going even though we definitely could have opted to not go."
Reese clenched the steering wheel. He wished he could shut his eyes for a sec but he would probably hit something if he did.
He didn't know what to say. Was he going to shout at her? Was he gonna break down and cry? Was he going to make a joke? Was he going to reminisce?
Terrence wasn't dead. Terrence's father wasn't in jail yet. Terrence still hasn't woken up from his coma. Terrence could die if they pull life support. Terrence could have avoided all of this if he didn't suddenly swerve the steering wheel.
"Terrence should have been the one here." Mandy noticed Reese tremble. "I should have been the one who got shot."
Mandy didn't even have time to tell him to pull over. Reese had the sense to stop at a convenience store parking lot.
He felt his breathing get heavier and his eyes water. His whole body was shaking.
"I should be dead."
"You two were at the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn't your fault."
It wasn't like she was wrong. Reese realized that. He was smart enough to see that logic. So why did he feel such intense survivor's guilt?
"Why do you want to go to Eastbrick?"At the back of Mandy's mind, she already figured why he wanted to stay at Eastbrick Academy. She's known him for years. She knew what kind of person he was. He was kind, maybe a little snarky, but full of heart.
"Terrence's dad used to work there." And this confirmation was enough for Mandy to affirm her theory. That he'll look into Mister Sanders. Try to find him, maybe. And then...
"What will you do when you find the leads you're looking for?" She asked, again already sure of his answer.
Reese stopped shaking. His exhausted expression faded, a fierce anger replacing it.
"Revenge."

-Author's Notes-
Good day Everyone! This chapter, while originally meant to be Chapter 2 has been rebranded as Episode 0 because there's just way too much to move it forward with the actual plot I planned for Reese's beginnings as Thanos Venge.
This chapter is meant to serve as a remake of the third chapter of the original run of Thanos Venge: Wind Up. I wanted to make this much more impactful to Reese's being than simple anger.
I hope you enjoy!

You can read the original version right here

Thanos Venge - Rebirth

"See it's easy to ignore trouble 
When you're living in a bubble"
- Aint it Fun(Paramore)

It's human nature to learn from their mistakes and improve. Become better people. Get farther in life and succeed.
But sometimes people never learn. And unfortunately, those kinds of people are usually lucky enough to get away with whatever they do. 
Art Gallner was one of those people.
No one understood how this 18 year old scum won and got out of the courtroom without the three counts of rape against him. The case was extremely strong and he got off with nothing but a slap on the wrist. It was outrageous. It was unfair.
But Art understood. After all, what case would they have to offer without the key evidence in the way. His family had a way of getting rid of things that shouldn't exist under the sun after all.
Making his way through the angry crowd throwing food at him, he managed to get into the family van.
"The Apartment." He says to his driver. He looks out the window and gives the furious people a smug grin and the finger.
He felt powerful. He felt large.
He felt untouchable.
The phone on his pocket vibrated. His new plaything had finally texted him back.

Veronica Manson:
Omigosh, congratulations! I knew u wer innocent.

Art Galner:
But of course. I'm Art Gallner. I wasn't about to be taken down by some lying bitches.

Veronica Manson.
Mmmm that's sexy.

Art's grin widened into a creepy smile. He felt his crotch tent up his pants and he couldn't keep his excitement at all.
He felt he needed to share that, sending a picture to this naive girl.

Veronica Manson:
<3 omg ur hot and u have tat huge sword on u 2? It feels unfair Im not sending you anything.

Art Gallner licked his lips. His excitement continuing to grow.

Veronica Manson:
Say... Y dont we celebrate your win. Meet me at that alley just behind Eastbrick Live!
I've got a friend inside and we can get a private room.

You'd think, after nearly losing his court case, Art Gallner would be careful not to act on his libido. But this one was being too easy for him and he wasn't passing up that chance.
"Ricky. Change of plans. Drop me off at the alley behind Eastbrick Live."
The driver looked back at the spoiled brat, nodded, and changed his route.
Once they've arrived, Art shoos him away and walks over to find Veronica.
The thing about this place, it was loud and it was very, very busy. If this girl had so much as a working neuron on her brain, maybe she'd have the sense to have a date somewhere public. But where was the fun in that? She probably thought.
Besides, assuming she did have these connections, he had her in a room all to himself.
Art didn't care for the details. He cared about the condoms on his back pocket and his bloated ego.
"Veronica?" He walked around the long alley stretch. He normally wouldn't be caught dead here. Alleyways are for stoners and criminals, after all.
But he turned off his common sense the moment he got aroused.
Maybe she didn't hear me. He rationalized to himself. This is the loudest part of Eastbrick City.
But the longer he walked towards the end of the alley, the faster his arousal start to fade and his sense of caution starting to return.
As he was about to reach the end of the alley, starting to expect no one... or worse, someone else, a backdoor to Eastbrick Live opened. 
It was Veronica. The same foxy young woman he had seen from the few photos she had graced him with.
She looked like the piece of meat he had so wanted to eat for days. Tall, bottle blonde, and curvy. The way she lit up when she saw his face and practically jumped meant he was probably the ditzy type too. Judging by her expensive choice in clothing, she was most likely also after his wallet. He knew how to play with these types.
He slid his hand into his coat pocket, clutching on to the Stun Gun he used to knock his conquests out.
She was throwing herself at him so there really was no need for him to use force. But on the off chance she gets annoying, he had a way to shut her up.
"There you are! Sorry I didn't wait out here. It was kinda stinky." She sticks her tongue out, trying to be cute.
"No worries." He pastes on a smile. "Just got here really."
Veronica turns to a suited man by the door. He nods and lets Art through.
Art was practically pulled in by Veronica, who excitedly led them through the halls into a room. The press on nails digging into his wrists were enough for Art to decide that this was a one man act and prepared the Stun Gun for when they find privacy.
They reach a velvet door. Before they could enter, Veronica places her back against it and smiles at Art. "I think you're gonna love the private party I put together for you."
Oh I'm sure I will. He said to himself.
Veronica slowly opened the door without peeling her eyes away from Art.
The room was dimly lit and decorated with velvety curtains and wine to set the mood.
Is this what this girl spends the money she gets from men on?
"I hope you're prepared for an... Exciting Night" Veronica giggled.
It didn't matter to Art what Veronica planned. One small zap will be enough for Art to enjoy himself.
Veronica turned her back to him as she started walking towards the wine. "Let's celebrate."
"Oh I intend to."
Electricity cackled across the room and a loud thud hit the floor.
But it wasn't Veronica who was sprawled down on the floor.
The door closed behind them. Art was still a little conscious but his body was twitching from the impact where the Stun Gun hit him.
Veronica didn't react, only staring at Art as he tries to regain composure.
Then, a third set of footsteps echoed the room.
The combat boots stopped in front of Art's face. His vision was a little shaky but he was starting to regain his footing.
For all of 5 seconds.
Art couldn't even get his own Stun Gun out before the mystery man kicked it away and kicked his face in.
"What do you want? Money?"
The mystery man laughed. His voice filtered by some sort of voice modulator.
"He thinks he can buy me." Veronica laughed with him.
"What a loser." She said.
He felt the man plant his heavy foot down his back. Veronica finally moved from her spot, taking out what looked like handcuffs from her purse.
Adrenaline started coursing through his body. His mind raced and he started to think that these people were here for his organs.
But his mind was shut down before he could even attempt to overpower the man. The cold steel of a Stun Gun was all too familiar to his neck and a long blast of electricity had finally knocked him cold.

~X~

It wasn't the draft that woke Art Gallner nor was it the loud music that was suddenly playing in the room.
It was the slap across his face.
he was stripped to his boxers and both his hands and feet were handcuffed to the bedpost.
Sitting right next to him was a man, presumably the same man who had knocked him out. his face was hidden in a black leather hoodie and his mouth was covered by some sort of scarf. There was nothing that could give out anything about him.
Veronica was no longer in the room.
"What the fuck do you want from me?!" He struggled from his bindings. "HELP! SOMEONE HELP!"
"No one's gonna hear you and no one's gonna help you either." The man said.
"This is one of Eastbrick Live's most exclusive rooms. These walls are built to secure nothing comes out of that door. And even if somehow your voice exits this room, the noise of the crowds outside would drown you out."
The man leans in to his face. "And besides. Don't you like private rooms? I thought it was your MO to get girls alone and quiet."
"Don't you watch the news? I'm not guilty! Its all bullshit!" Art screamed as the man zapped his chest.
"I'm not a dumbass. I know your family tried to destroy any evidence incriminating you."
Tried? He knows his family DID destroy it. What was he talking about?
"That's... just... a bunch of rumors."
The man tilted his head slightly. Art could feel him give a sadistic smile from beyond that scarf.
"Are you sure?" The man pressed a remote and TVs around the room that he didn't notice before lit up and played videos... of him. These were security footage and hidden recordings of him forcing himself on the women who he raped. Women who had tried to defend himself.
Art felt a lump on his throat and his eyes watering. 
"If that's not enough for you, I've also got the pictures and the data you tried to destroy."
The man tossed out a folder to the floor where numerous self taken images and paperwork that sets timestamps on him that were previously seized by the Gallner Family to try and save him.
"Why are you doing this? Who are you?!" Art tried to sound defiant, but his quivering voice and crying made it all too pathetic.
"Ah. Where are my manners. My name's Thanos Venge." That name... Art didn't believe it. That name was just... It was just a rumor. A story to scare off criminals around Eastbrick. "As to why I'm doing this, I think you'll find that I've been paid quite generously to make you suffer. And I happen to dislike rapists."
"But I'm not--" Another zap to his body cuts him off.
"Are you seriously going to deny how much of a cockroach you are even with all this evidence? Maybe I need to knock some sense into you."
Art yelped, not used to the pain inflicted on him. "Okay! I did it! I raped those girls!"
He sobbed, making a mess of himself as he blubbered on. "But I only did--"
Thanos zapped him again, this time to knock him out.
"Rape is rape." he put away his Stun Gun. "You don't get to justify how vile you are. Cara says Hi."
Thanos walked out the room, finding "Veronica" waiting for him outside.
"Thanks for the help, Erika." The girl, Erika, shrugged. "You know, you don't have to keep wearing that outfit or that wig anymore."
"I dunno. Don't you think blondes have more fun?"
Thanos chuckled at the reference.
"Will that be enough though?" She asked as she slowly removed her press on nails.
"Just open the news when you get home. I think you'll be surprised."

~X~

"Shocking evidence surfaces as a video of Rape Suspect Art Gallner is spread across local digital billboards in Eastbrick City. The video shows Gallner admitting to his crimes as lost evidence is found in the room he was locked in. Police found him and all this evidence in a room in Eastbrick Live. No one can tell how he was lured here and no CCTV footage was found. 
Evidence suggests that this is the work of local vigilante, Thanos Venge, who seems to have left a card with those initials.  People have been asking who this Thanos Venge is, and whether if he is a hero or a threat. This is not the first time his name has popped up in the news. More on this at 9:00 with Maria Samson. This is BBC News."
Reese Morrison silently ate his dinner with his best friend, Mandy Roe, at their dorm's mess hall.
"Can you believe it? Who is this Thanos Venge anyway?" Reese looked tired and just nodded.
"Where have you been anyways? You came home late yesterday."
"Los Angeles." He said sarcastically. Mandy rolled her eyes as Reese smiled.
She'd never have known that Thanos Venge was just sitting across her.

-Authors Notes:
Hello, readers. Welcome to the first official reboot episode of Thanos Venge.
The original story is something that I've been brewing up for over 5 years. I knew how the story was originally going to go but when I took the chance to read the previous stories and its original future, I felt myself cringe. I've changed somewhat as a writer and after a long lapse, I feel as if I should finally give this story new life. Something with a better, more thought out formula that doesn't sound ridiculous.
Note that the upcoming episodes may not follow the storyline you may have read in the past.
I will not take down the old ones either but it will be marked now as Rumors regarding Thanos and Reese in this storyline to account for their existence.
I hope you enjoy this renewed start of Thanos Venge.
- MaxAxil

Read the Old Version here!