pti | The Army of Gluttony

The Compound

As the team leaves the Metaverse, they are near enough to the compound to hear loud screaming as it erupts into chaos, with children and adults running around.

Those that stick around will hear the sirens of Fire Engines within minutes, followed soon after by Ambulances, and then after that by police. Those with access to James will see a truly gruesome sight - his eyes have gone completely white and black fluid is streaming out of his eyes and mouth. His body is stiff, his hands like claws as they clutch his throat. He is lying on the ground in a puddle of black fluid, neither moving nor breathing.

As the paramedics arrive on the scene they move to give aid with strict professionalism, but they can be seen making phone calls. When the police arrive, both Tamara and Bartholomew, as well as the other adult workers, are being led away in handcuffs, with social services descending upon the compound to liberate the children, including any Phantom Thieves who are willing to linger.

The Safehouse

For those returning to the safehouse, Shinji is grim when he hears the news. He orders in some pizza and puts some tea on before getting out of the way and letting the Thieves debrief in the living room.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Those words were enough to send Cyan into a small fit of rage as he tightens his hands into fists. "T-Those monsters... That's not how we use the Palaces! I don't know if they have a god complex or out or narcissism, but killing those criminals makes them no different to murderers!"

He then punches a nearby wall out of anger, but it manages to calm him down a bit when he feels some pain in his fist. "In any case, they will still pay the same price as the others we changed. There is no way we can stoop to their level!"

"Cyan, quiet..." she winced when the teen punched the wall. "Anger won't be the key to stopping them."

She also doesn't want to disturb anyone else with noise making.

"I may be new to this whole Phantom ordeal, but I cannot be idle while I have my own mission duties and those Inquisitors kill human beings without facing justice with human society. We should plan with everyone properly."

Thankfully, her words managed to calm him down a bit. If he lets his emotions control him, then the whole group might be next.

"You're right. We can't do this if we can't put our heads together. We might as well figure out the best course of action before we can face those Inquisitors once more. For now, I think I might help you out with your abilities and what you'll be facing from now on as a Phantom Thief."

"I don't like being referred to as a 'thief', but I will do what I can to help out with everyone."

May nods before looking around the Safehouse.

"Would it be okay if I live here? I can help keep things tidy and take care of myself, but settling down and getting some basic necessities would be appreciated."

Cyan's expression turned into shock and embarrassment. He has no worries about being called a "Phantom Thief". But now that May is part of the group, he feels very nervous just saying "thief" to her.

"Y-Yeah... We'll talk to the owner about it, though, since we're just using his place as a hideout. But I doubt he will say no to your request. You do need a place to stay after what you have been through back at the Flock."

"Thank you. I think it will help a lot on him to have at least someone around mostly to keep things organized and take some work off of his shoulders."

Not only it's something for her to do during the day, but when you have been trained to do certain tasks, it just happens naturally.

"Cyan, can I ask for your help for a task? I'm not so sure how to do it, but I want to write a letter to Tamara. It's... complicated, but she's been a victim too. I feel like I did not share enough words back there... She deserves peace as well."

At least finding her a place to stay should be easy for now. Though upon listening to her request, that might be a bit conflicting. Sure, he heard that Tamara did some terrible things just like her husband, but like May said, she seemed to be pushed into abuse to the children for an unknown reason.

"I think so. I may try to pass it anonymously, though. I don't know if the jail cell accepts letters to the arrested." Not that he even has someone he knows who were incarcerated before. "Still, I'll try to get your letter to her no matter what."

"Anonymously would be fine. Thank you. The pastor has been hurting her, so it means a lot to me. Doesn't everyone deserve a little peace, even the ones facing justice?"

Rumors can quietly spread among the other adults and children and some signs are obvious. May attempts to smile, trying to brighten up the situation while getting some answers.

"So, what should I know as a new recruit to this little band of thieves?"

"You got a point there. Criminal or not, everyone needs peace to completely atone their sins, especially for Tamara."

He hopes that's the case because losing her husband is more painful than the guilt she has when her desires were stolen.

"Well, from what you just saw with Hunter and the others, we go into the Palace of the corrupted adults to steal their Treasure, which I guess represents their sins and corrupted desires. Though in order to do so, you may need this strange app."

He then shows his smartphone with the Metaverse Navigator app on his menu.

May nods as she listens to his explanation, blinking at she was shown the phone with the app.

"I've see that icon before. I found an old phone during recess and it was the only thing on it. It's unfortunately tucked inside my personal bible, which is still back at the compound."

And since it's too dangerous to go back there now, she needs to consider other options.

"Maybe if I find another device, the application will appear for me?"

Cyan then looks at his phone when she suggests finding another device.

"Well, it's no problem if you find another phone. I mean, I tried deleting this app before, but it seems it re-installs itself whenever I did so.

Though the big problem is the phone's price. I mean, it doesn't come cheap, you know."

The Army of Gluttony - Aftermath

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