20.y (Interlude; Accord)

Worm, Chapter 20.y (Interlude; Accord) Summary:

Accord, a villain with an obsessive need for order, arrives at the Forsberg Gallery for a meeting with Skitter and her Undersiders. The building, damaged by Shatterbird’s attack, is an eyesore to Accord, its asymmetry and disarray triggering a flood of intrusive thoughts and plans for its destruction and reconstruction. He sees ways to use the building’s flaws against his enemies, imagining elaborate traps and mechanisms involving pendulums, wires, and thermite.

He suppresses these violent urges, reminding himself of the need for order and the satisfaction of cleaning up messes. His power, a relentless problem-solver, offers solutions he doesn’t want, from redesigning the city’s architecture to manipulating glass shards into weapons.

He calls on his Ambassadors, Citrine and Othello, to distract him. Citrine’s slight breach of protocol – speaking out of turn – triggers another wave of violent thoughts, this time directed at her. He sees himself slicing her throat or pushing her down the stairs, but the resulting disorder dissuades him. He touches her face, a gesture that calms both of them, and reminds her of her place.

The ascent to the meeting is plagued by more intrusive thoughts, reminiscent of the urge to jump in front of a train. Accord reflects on his past, his attempt to solve world hunger, and his subsequent imprisonment for embezzlement. He’s now focused on a twenty-three-year plan to bring order to the world, a plan that hinges on the current meeting.

They reach the top floor and encounter the Teeth, a villainous group known for their brutality. Accord itches to eliminate them, his mind buzzing with potential strategies, but he refrains, for now.

The Undersiders, led by Skitter, are assembled at the end of a long table. Bitch’s mutated dogs, Imp and Regent, Parian in a new black outfit, and Tattletale, perched on a giant silk scorpion, complete the group. Grue stands behind Skitter, a figure of menace in his darkness.

Accord greets Skitter, and they take their seats. The Fallen arrive shortly after: Valefor, styled after the Simurgh, and Eligos, reminiscent of Behemoth.

Skitter establishes herself as the leader, warning against violence at the meeting. Valefor challenges her authority, questioning why a “schoolgirl” should lead. Skitter offers to fight him, alone, and Accord warns Valefor that he’s already lost, noticing the silk threads attached to him, a trap set by Skitter.

Accord wonders if Skitter is prepared to kill, a question that will shape the discussion. Skitter confirms she’ll kill as a last resort, adhering to the “unwritten rules.” Accord is intrigued, eager to discover her contingency plans.

Butcher, leader of the Teeth, arrives, placing a massive gatling gun on the table as a show of force. She refuses to sit, conveying her defiance with minimal words.

Skitter reveals another trap: silk threads attached to the furniture, allowing her to manipulate the table and trap her opponents. Accord is pleased with himself for figuring it out, unconcerned by the danger.

Skitter lays out her terms: the Undersiders have prior claim to the city, and any who break their rules will be killed. She demands a third of all property acquired by other groups, or they can fold their organizations into hers. Accord sees it as a passive takeover, a squeeze until they cave.

Skitter adds another condition: during Endbringer events or the possible end of the world, each group must send half their powered members or three, whichever is more. Valefor balks at the idea of fighting Endbringers, but Skitter clarifies that she doesn’t expect him to.

Accord realizes Skitter is relying on his long-term plans, his need for resources and infrastructure, to force his compliance. She’s right; he has no choice but to accept.

Skitter predicts the Fallen will reject the terms and leave, which they do, silently. She claims Imp and Haven will handle them. Accord warns her about Valefor’s cunning, but Skitter is unconcerned.

Skitter confronts Butcher, who simply states, “You die. You can’t kill me. I will win,” before leaving.

Accord explains the history of the Butchers, each inheriting a fraction of their predecessors’ powers and consciousness. Butcher Fourteen has thirteen sets of powers and voices in her head, making her a formidable opponent. Tattletale adds that her attacks are guaranteed to hit, bending space to reach their target.

Tattletale, having sat without permission, clashes with Accord over rules and order. Skitter silences them, demonstrating her control. Accord is impressed by her composure and the order within her swarm.

Accord accepts Skitter’s deal, acknowledging their similarities and the potential for friction. He invites a response, and Skitter takes a moment to think before speaking, a habit that irks Accord.

Accord, alone with his Ambassadors, is again plagued by intrusive thoughts. He discusses the possibility of taking on the other groups, focusing on the Teeth and the Fallen. He decides to recruit more capes, prioritizing those two groups.

They reach their accommodations, a building Accord is slowly taking over. He orders Othello to send him five top-tier employees, promoting them to Ambassadors.

Accord contacts the Number Man, requesting five vials of a specific caliber, hinting at a larger plan. He mentions the Undersiders as a potential replacement for Coil, their ambitions aligning with Cauldron’s. Accord’s twenty-three-year plan, and the fate of billions, now rests on Skitter’s shoulders. He falls asleep, his mind finally at rest.