The Silhouette and The Forge
Chapter 15

Staring back at the monitor wishing it would just disappear. It’s making me rather uncomfortable. “-ent Hill is hands down one of the greatest horror games I have played. And yes, that means it has topped the Clock Tower of Doom series that I had proclaimed the king of the survival horror genre for years! And to find it beaten by an indie developer at that, which blows my mind.” The woman on screen spreads her hands out from her head in an exploding gesture.

Rubbing my hands together awkwardly, never one to take genuine praise well. Always made me feel uncomfortable for some reason probably not helping that it puts me under the spotlight for other people who might want to change that. The other reason is the blatant rip-off of Keiichiro Toyama since he was the one who had made the original series under Konami. Sure he and Konami never existed in this world but the point remains. 

Never truly liked the idea of ripping off other individuals' creative ideas. Sure, taking inspiration from what they had created isn’t so bad but not take their work and pass it off as my own. However, the bitter pill is made easier to swallow since it wasn’t 100% entirely Silent Hill. At least when compared to the original. To be more specific, it would be if they had decided to do a full-on remake like they did with the Resident Evil games where it follows the same story just a bit more added into it with better controls and gameplay alongside better graphics, etc.

That and adjusting the music from it and sometimes outright taking the music for certain things out and completely changing it to something that felt like it would better fit. A character having a dramatic sob story gets instead of just depressing music, but depressing music with an ominous undertone hinting at something underneath the surface or an ill omen of what is to come. 

It would seem the young woman with green dyed into the tips of her black hair with her punk rock attire from her dark tank top with some unknown band to her tight fitting black pants sitting in her chair with part of her room in the background while she still talks, praising the atmosphere that most horror games fail at accomplishing early on and never truly get it throughout the game.

“And finally the monsters. The important element in the game, and something that I found deeply unsettling while drawn to them. The designs for them are horrifying yet fitting while being symbolic. Many of them represent different phobias and other things that haunt us in the dark corners of our minds.” She pauses at that with her showing a side screen with several of the monsters from Silent Hill appearing and showing each one along with the art pieces I added as extra content for the designs I was going to have added but decided against it. 

“Some of these creatures that could have been in the game look amazing! All of them look like something that would crawl out of our waking nightmares. To those of you who haven’t ever played the game, I highly urge you to stop watching me and go play it. It’s free and worth the time you put into it. The developer for the game and the others found on that website, if you are watching this know that I have no issue paying to get even better games than this. ‘Cause if this free stuff is this good, how much better is the paid product going to be?” She says to the camera with a smile on her face asking a good question.

One that already has an answer to it. Much better. Yes, the games were good already but the ones that will have to be paid for will be leagues above this. It’s one of my plans for the future to raise some money legitimately. Raising my glass of pop that still doesn’t taste quite right to me, and seeing the ripples from it being shaken. Hmmm. Now there is an idea that could be marketed down the road.

A glance at my contacts shows the construction work being done on the roads by a construction crew fixing all the major potholes on the road. A smirk forms on my face seeing how progress is going smoothly for the other crews as they make quick work of filling the holes and repairing what they can currently. 

The areas my company is working in are the areas that the Alliance controls. The gangs, thanks to the efforts of my Hunters, were manipulated into letting the crews do their jobs without interruption since they were not up to anything shady and seemed to be making the area better for everyone, helped by them further fueling the fears they all have of the Court. Like the cleaning crews taking care of all the trash and graffiti. 

The conglomeration of those gangs under my control, though not fully, has proven to be rather useful especially when I need information on the streets that my drones don’t have full coverage of and attack dogs when someone needs to disappear by means other than my Hunters. Or when the deck needs to be reshuffled when someone starts to become too big for their own good which will happen. I won’t lie to myself by believing that no one won’t see the signs that the Alliance is working far better than it would have any right to. 

Numerous other gangs and villains had similar ideas but they always fell apart. Maybe a few exceptions to the rule, but only exceptions and not a breaking of it. So depending on how events play out people may make connections between the Alliance and Silhouette. If they do it is what it is by that point, won’t make much of a difference regardless. 

Rising off of my couch and sent off some quick orders to the Hunters on what is needed of them while closing out of the MeTuber’s video that was a review of Silent Hill. It was amusing and different from the other reviewers back on YouTube while simultaneously being somewhat similar.

Seeing why Cr8zyHorrorF@ngrl has such a big following in the gaming genre she is a fan of. The girl is passionate about her horror games, and her looks are a bonus in drawing in viewers. Just when my thoughts started drifting to other games that were in the waiting line to be released it came to a halt. Light sent me a quick message. Double-checking the contents with raised brows at what it is about. Interesting.

Getting up, walking over to the bathroom door, and opening the workshop. Quickly making my way to the Batcomputer to see Light is waiting in the room. “So the real Court wishes to contact me?” I got down to business, seeing this as something to be taken seriously. 

“Yes. An account has reached out wishing to speak with you making it abundantly clear after having asked around in an attempt to get ahold of you for some time. They have requested a meeting with Silhouette. The profile name and who they have said they are while being adamant for this length of time made us feel that this needed to be brought to your attention. They want to make a proposal.” 

Staying silent for a moment thinking this over as Light sends me the associated images of the account in question. Light and the Sigma’s had attempted to trace the account and only got a ping in the Bowery for Gotham. No files or anything beyond a standard computer when they managed to hack and breach its meager defenses and the connected network has no clue to anything usable. A disposable computer and nothing of value gained nor anything that could be traced back to them. 

Now I'm confused. Do they know of our cyber superiority or is this standard protocol? 

Either it’s a hoax and someone is punking me, or it’s someone who wants my attention and is using the image of the Court just as we had. And the final option is the real Court is attempting to reach out to me. “What do you wish to do Daniel?” Light asks me, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“We talk about business and see what they want.” A calm reply is all Light gets. I’m not worried in the slightest. As things stand, they would have no chance in a head-on fight. With either myself or my Hunters. No need to bring up the upcoming soldiers being developed. The only advantage they would have against me is we don’t know where all of their hiding spots are. This is not much of an advantage when we could worm our way into any cracks they have and find them given sufficient time. So I am confident in handling the Court should they try anything. 

Silhouette: You wished to speak with me?

OwlsRlife: Yes. You are Silhouette?

Silhouette: I am. The profile name should say as such.

OwlsRlife: …We both know that just because a profile has something associated with something else doesn’t mean it's the real thing. You are rather hard to get a hold of for someone willing to deal with any elements of our city.

Silhouette: Apologies and you are not wrong. But in this instance, it’s safe to say our names are dead giveaways. I just found it rather hard to believe that the famed Court of Gotham would seek me out of all people. And it’s not helped by recent events that have transpired making me hesitant to touch anything associated with your group.

OwlsRlife: Some people like to use our motif for their own ends and frighten others with it like what was done that night. That incident was not orchestrated by us. And a suspicious account randomly reaching out with a name like this was bound to arouse your suspicions. It’s why the name of the profile was chosen since it was assumed you would come to see for yourself.

Silhouette: So what would the illustrious and famed Court of Owls need from a nobody like myself?

OwlsRlife: You are far from nobody. Everyone who is anyone in this city speaks highly of your products and has been using them nonstop since you unveiled them in the short time you have operated here. We would like to procure your services if you would be interested.

Silhouette: How much and what product would you like to order and the dropoff location? 

OwlsRlife: I’m afraid you misunderstand. We are placing an order, yes, but preferring to hire you personally for a custom job if you prove satisfactory. We would like to arrange a meeting with you.

Silhouette: Out of the question. If you do not have an order to place as of now then this discussion is over.

OwlsRlife: We understand your hesitance to meet with us considering our reputation and the incident recently happening in Gotham of someone using our likeness to sow fear among the people of Gotham, but once more we were not responsible. We would be willing to make it worth your while to meet us.

Silhouette: How can you prove to me that you are not going to attempt anything and even prove that blood-filled night wasn’t your doing? One could argue you may not even be a part of the Court and this is just some convoluted scheme. 

OwlsRlife: We can’t prove anything right now. At least until you come to the meeting. You will have to accept that or not and let this opportunity pass by you. We will give you the address and time for the meeting. We will meet you there to then bring you to the actual meeting. If you do not show up we will assume you have refused the offer.

At that, the person on the other end logs out and I am left going over what was said. My thoughts race miles and miles a second before finally coming to a decision. “Light, gather the Sigma’s and get to doubling down on work for my suit since I am going to be needing two of them,” I say to him, making him stop what he was doing. “And have Heli meet me in the workshop, I need a new makeover.”

“As you wish Daniel.” 

…

Walking down the alley that is far cleaner than it should be feels unnatural in this city. Helps that my business has been growing as of late helped by the fact the cost of them cleaning up parts of the city is rather cheap. Taking a black-gloved hand and with two fingers run it against the wall of a building and pull it back. 

The black fingers show a smidge of dirt and dust but not as bad as was expected. Good quality work like this is something that I can get behind. It will be a good day when all of this city is as clean as this wall. Much like a magnet we used to have on the fridge, it had a motto along the lines of a house should be clean enough to be healthy, but dirty enough to be happy.

It’s never truly going to be 110% clean, but it should be clean enough to be healthy at the minimum. Taking both of my hands, storing them inside the trench coat pockets, and walking further down the alley while having my drones keep me updated on anyone in my vicinity. The costume the engineers cooked up was something that was sketched out by me some time ago.

Taking a glimpse of my form from the drones buzzing the area. The face of Silhouette had been made and given form. A gasmask with soulless lenses feels like it’s peering into your very soul, judging the recipient followed by a black fedora hat on top. An obsidian black leather-like outfit, with a trench coat and boots all of which was so black that all the light seemed to be sucked into it. Of course, the material is far stronger than it would appear to be with it further enhanced by me fusing two of the outfits. 

That was a sight to see as it has been since the newest addition to my arsenal. One moment two identical outfits standing side by side and the next after focusing on both of them and with a little concentration one turned into motes of glowing specks that flew into the other one. 

Even the rune enchantments placed upon the hidden weapons had fused further increasing the power of the suit. The engineers upon witnessing my first display of this ability flew into a frenzy back when it was acquired. Magic was all I could say to them. The glares they gave me were something that I took as a lesson in intimidation. After that they had me do this many more times to test it. Even when they failed to understand how I was doing it, they could get a grasp on it and see how much the items were powered up from it. 

Such as the blades they had made, seeing the results from the fused one was impressive. Before the blade could cut with effort through leather, now it could cut through sheet metal. Still not a full clean cut but it was done with minimal effort on my part and exerting only a slight amount of force. Examining each fused item they explained the durability, strength and numerous other aspects of it had been overall increased across the board. It’s a broken ability, one that will be used and abused to my heart's content to get me ahead in any way possible. 

Like the shipment of pure cocaine, the engineers had whipped up and used my power to fuse it with other samples now on their way to Colombia after contacting other groups across America and other countries. Word got around to other interested parties about the merchandise and having heard about what has been happening in Gotham they are very interested. 

But I am getting away from my original train of thought, the suit. Upon examining the sole remaining suit they saw how not only its armored strength was doubled from what it could handle prior in terms of weapon calibers, but other elements the suit had built into it were greater than they were before. 

Future tests pending aside, besides the upgraded and badass suit, comes along with my new bigger body that looks nothing like my first one courtesy of Heli working her magic. The inspiration for the outfit came from two different sources. One was a childhood game that I played a great deal of. The other was from that dream where I became something akin to a black hole and was drowning in a sea of light.

Felt the aesthetic fit rather well with my Hunters default forms along with some other things. Continuing to walk not showing any sign that my drones and suit sensors had tipped me off of the figures now following me along the rooftops and other vantage points. The Court's talons are here. Well, that helps me believe that it was indeed the Court that had sought me out. And is interested in me. Not showing any sign of my awareness of them and just kept walking to the meeting point. After some turns the destination is before my eyes. 

Ancient, yet despite its age and obvious neglect from it being long abandoned is a large opera house. Rather surprising when investigating the location since you would think something this old-fashioned would have been demolished a long time ago. Never could find a reason as to why this was the case, not that anything was suspected of anyone trying to stop its destruction. Could just be a case of most people forgetting it exists and maybe only getting brought up in random conversations now and again.

Stepping up to the large doors that remain intact finding the doors unlocked and stepping into the dark and dirty interior. My steps can be heard echoing out across the silent seating area for the people to watch and be entertained. Closer and closer to the stage with curtains that don’t belong here with their clean crimson red making a stark contrast to the dreary atmosphere of this building that has hit hard times. 

Abruptly stopping and staring dead ahead, “You know it’s rather rude to bring armed guards to a meeting like this. I might just get the wrong idea…” My voice comes out heavily distorted across the entirety of the large room. 

“Apologies Silhouette, but we can never be too sure about things of this nature. Especially in a place like this.” A man's voice speaks and two figures come out of the darkness and past the curtain backed by two talons behind them. One I assume is a man in an expensive black two-piece suit. The other is most certainly a woman with a black cocktail dress with two small straps on her shoulders keeping the dress in place while the dress goes down to below her knees hugging her curves. I even see sheer mesh below it. 

The man has blonde hair cut short and what little skin I see is pale. The woman on the other hand is dark skinned and has her midnight black hair done up in a ponytail with its long length running down the course of her back. Taking a few more steps before stopping before the two and glancing over my shoulder, “You can come out now.” 

The talons appear out of their hiding spots and with a glance upwards with a wave of my hand in a get-on-with-it gesture the talons peer down at me from the rooftop and ceiling. Turning back to the two representatives who look unsettled and uncomfortable with subtle tells in their body language. The man more so than the lady. Will give her some respect for that, she composes herself rather well. “Now that all are in attendance we can get this meeting properly started.” 

“Of course, we don’t want to stay here longer than what is necessary. The Court would like to offer you an invitation to work for us, so long as you can hold up your end of the deal.” She says with no clear accent in her voice. Having calmed herself enough, the man is still looking uncomfortable and failing to do anything to correct it while angling his head around making it obvious he is glancing at me and the talons. 

Focusing my attention on the woman as she now has my interest. “Why would the illustrious Court which has myths and stories dating back to Gotham’s founding invite a random as far as you know villain to work for you? One that as far as you know has only been active for a very brief amount of time.” 

“Your creations should speak for themselves and how they will aid us in our goals.” She responds smoothly. “You will be paid rather well for your services.”

A chuckle escapes me at the mention of what started all of this. “Once upon a time I would have been sorely tempted to take the offer just for the money, but I am no longer that person. I learned of the folly of chasing something like that only to continue the hunt for more. So what else can you offer me?” Giving a truth that is possibly the only one they will ever get out of me. 

“Y-you want more? You're getting a chance to work for the Court of Owls! What else could you possibly want more than that?!” The man interjects, finally having found his nerve. A simple turning of my head and staring back at his masked face he visibly tenses up under my scrutiny. “No offense but you would be asking for far too-”

“Shut up, I will handle this.” The woman says to the man quietly enough that without my enhancements I would have missed it. I like her already, she has a backbone and some spunk. “Apologies for my partner, this rendezvous is more of a punishment for him for forgetting his place. A lesson he seems to have still not learned.” The woman glances at him as she cuts him off before he can dig a deeper hole for himself. Seeing the man clenched his fists as his form bristles at the insults. 

“None taken but apology accepted all the same,” Giving her a nod while tipping my hat, “And I know it may come off as arrogant but that is not my intention. Money is simply a tool and a means to an end, nothing more than that. Working for the Court is mighty tempting but that alone would not be enough for me.” 

“I see…” She says before crossing her arms and hugging her chest, “Then what would you like in turn to work alongside us? A favor?” She asks, trying to see what might be used as bait to get me to bite.

“A seat at the table.” 

They both pause. Their forms are stiff and unmoving for a moment processing what was just said to them. The woman recovers quickly. “You wish to be a member?” The intrigue is clear in her voice with a hint of interest. The man seemed to be angered by what I had said.

His shoulders went up and down from heavy ragged breathing, and his hands clenching and unclenching with veins visible. “What? You want a seat at our table-”

“Prove yourself.” 

My gaze snaps to her while judging her in a new light. 

“You can’t just-” 

“I just did. You are in no position to order me around, especially when I am your minder currently.” She says to him visibly making him back down as she moves into his personal space with the talons standing by ominously.

“You are here for the same reason I am and you are not my minder, let alone someone who can order me around woman.” He steps back up standing over her. The woman doesn’t bow or bend to him, simply staring him down. 

The man's form, despite trying to appear stronger and bigger than her his form fidgets here and there while showing signs of fear among other signs of weakness. Trying to act like a cobra by making himself seem bigger than he is, and not a convincing act. “How?”

My voice makes them both look at me, breaking their staring contest. “Provide us 500 of your newest regeneration potions with other beneficial effects in them and assorted upgraded drugs free of charge and I will vouch for you to get a chance to sit at the table.” She says making me mull over the deal.

Not exactly difficult to do and rather simple but not something they need to know. “150 and I don’t get a chance, I will have a seat at that table. If my drugs and potions are so valued by you then I am going to be guaranteed a seat at the winner's table.” 

“Now hold on-”

“400 potions is as low as I will go and I cannot guarantee you a seat, but it will help you immensely in showing that you are very supportive of our cause.” 

Staying still and just silently staring at her for some time before nodding my head, “That will have to do then.”

“If you follow through with this deal and keep to the spirit and letter of it then we will begin to bring you into the fold. And trust me the benefits of joining are worthwhile.”

The man's form storms up in front of her his back exposed to me, “What the hell! You don’t just ignore me and cut me out of this deal being made-” 

“Shut up you insignificant worm.” He is silenced slowly turning around to face me with his hunched form straightening out while huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf. Looking back at the women and not giving the stooge any more of my valuable attention, further igniting his anger, “Send me the details on where you would like the order to be shipped to… I don’t think I ever got your name miss?” 

“You may call me… Forest.” 

Turning around walking back up the steps before giving her a wave with my hand. “I will deliver as promised Miss Forest I can assure you of that. Until next time and hopefully, you won’t have to bring him with you.”  

“How dare you.” He hisses out, “Do you know who the hell you are talking to!?” He yells across the room pointing a finger at me. 

“A scared little boy pretending he is a big strong man. I’ve seen your kind all my life, whether they be poor or rich, young or old. Your kind are like cockroaches. No matter how many times we stomp and crush you, you never seem to just die.”

“You Bastard!” He yells at the top of his lungs with faint laughter coming from Miss Forest silencing any further insults and drawing his attention away from me. “And what do you think is so funny?” He reaches a hand out to grab her when I walk past the doorway, but a talon grabs his arm before he can touch her. Several of them restrain him as he yells at them and struggles to get out of their grip before going silent at her approach.

“I look forward to putting you in your place. Until then.” She raises a hand lightly patting where his cheek would be on his mask making him growl at her but doesn’t move any further as the talons hold him in place. 

I like her. A shame she is going to help me find all the other owls.

After some contemplating I have decided to adjust how the forge works in the story. Taking inspiration from a Grimoire story called Anointed and will post a link at the bottom for any interested readers. 

The author had set it up so that rolls only occur when something eventful has occurred. I am going to start using that method from here on out to avoid getting too many perks too quickly. Any game-breaking perks that just no sell anything in a setting are a big no.

https://forum.questionablequesting.com/threads/anointed-naruto-start-celestial-grimoire.25264/