Work Text:
Dr. Faust's Reaping
My name is Doctor Johann William Faust. Tandeki has only seen the lovely ladies of Mam. I just operate in the shadows. It suits me well.
Who exactly am I? Well, first of all, read a book. Everything you've read about me in that book about me is true. I did make a deal with the devil. Lived a charmed life. Ended up being dragged to hell. Some later editions of that book tried to give me a redemption arc of some sort. Heh. That's not how that happened.
I'm going to tell you the real story.
I was pulled to hell, that much is true. They tortured me for ten years. After that, they gave me a choice. Either keep suffering from torture or come work for the devil himself. Now, I know what you are thinking. Why would I make another deal with the devil when it landed me in hell in the first place? Simply put, I wanted the torture to stop. It's amazing what you will do to make the pain stop. So, I took the deal.
I am the one who makes the deals with the people who call for my lord. Ironic, isn't it? I made a deal with the devil and now I help people make deals with the devil. I'm used to it by now. This latest one was rather interesting.
His name is Feliciano Vargas. The man he had deep feelings for was trapped in a catatonic state. Nothing could rouse him. Even the doctors were about to give up on the German man. His soul was trapped in Limbo. I came to Feliciano and offered to save Ludwig in exchange for his soul.
Now, now I didn't trick him into selling his soul to me. That's not how that works. They have to do it of their own will. Otherwise, the deal will be void. Feliciano was in so much pain in his heart. It was almost too easy. All I did was merely offer him the deal and he took it. Granted, that cute little Italian man did hesitate at first. He did turn me down, but I still kept that offer open for him. Then Ludwig's condition got worse. And sure enough, Feliciano took the deal. I was more than happy to help him.
Now, why did I do it? Why him? On the why I did it, it's my job. On the why him, it's just how it was supposed to go. Are you familiar with the seven seals? The first seal was that the innocent man will fall into sin. Fate just chose him. That's just how it is.
There's a game to start the apocalypse in progress now. So far, Tandeki is in the lead. Mam is coming closer. There is a third group lagging behind, but I don't think that will be for long. Vozrozhdeniye is catching up fast. If Tandeki wants to keep its lead, they are going to have to make the next move.
Where do I fit in? Well, I would consider myself on Mam's side. Officially, I don't have a side. I am just here for me. What do I get out of this war? Hm… A little bit more freedom, I suppose? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind working for Lucifer. I get to travel for my work. But sometimes, it gets to be a bit tedious. They almost always give in. I haven't had a challenge in years. At least with this game something interesting is happening.
Who do I think is going to win? It could go either way. There are demons taking bets around hell. Me, I am just bidding my time and watching what's happening on the playing field. More alternative versions of the countries are coming into their world. All through stairs in the woods or cursed mirrors. To be honest, all of this has me excited.
I know that I am not alone.
I have been gathering up an entourage. So far, I have recruited a young lady to join me. Her name is Qi Lin. I don't know what drew me to her. I just felt someone dying over in China. Before I knew it, I found myself in the hospital morgue. I took down the sheet covering her body and she woke up. Qi must have looked so confused when she woke up. I watched her as I drummed my fingers on my cheek.
"Well hello, my dear," I said. Qi sat up, blinking.
"Didn't I die? How am I still alive?" the young lady asked. I leaned in closer with a cold smile on my face.
"My, my, my," I said. "There is so much that we have to talk about." Since then, I have been gathering them up. I find them and they follow me. Don't ask me how that is, it just happens. And who am I to complain?
So what is going to happen next? I don't know. I do see Feliciano and Sabine around. I am curious to see how Feliciano is doing now. He turned out to be quite an interesting case. For now, I have to go. There is another person that I have to pick up for my entourage. But don't worry. We will see each other again.
Really soon.