#2021challenge

“I–”

He heard her shuffling over to the window.

“I don’t think so.”

“Good. Call me if he shows up again. Don’t open the door.”

“What about your siblings? Do I tell them?”

Jack thought for a moment. He’d already brought them up to speed about the situation – leaving out the specifics, of course – so they would probably know how to handle the situation. He was just afraid his father might be watching the house, hoping they would stop by after this news.

“I think you should. They need to know what’s going on.”

“Alright, I’ll do it right away.”

“Take care.”

“You too.”

As soon as he’d hung up the phone, Jack veered up from the couch. He noticed Chris had already grabbed his backpack, just in case.

“What now?” he asked.

“I want to head over there. See if he’s still around. And knowing Christine, she will head over to mum’s place immediately at the slightest hint of distress. I need to make sure he’s not waiting for her.”

“I thought you wanted to stay as far away from him as possible?”

“Initially, yes. Because I wasn’t sure if he was even here for us to begin with – I think by now we can safely say he is. Which probably means he wants something, and I want to know what it is.”

Chris looked up from checking his supply of energy cartridges.

“What if he genuinely just wants to know how you’re doing? Not everything has to have an ulterior motive.”

“In that case I’ll tell him we’re doing just fine without him,” Jack shrugged.

 *

They moved through the street – invisible, as a precaution – checking any potential hiding places that offered a view of Jack’s mother’s house. There was no one to be seen, but they waited, just in case. It wasn’t long until a familiar car pulled up and Jack’s sister stepped out. As she passed by the wall they were posted against, Jack whistled. She froze.

“Show yourself, you asshole,” she hissed, being accustomed to Jack’s tricks all too well.

He did as she asked, after checking whether anyone was looking their way. Even though she knew what to expect, she was still taken aback for a second.

“There’s no sign of him,” he reported, gesturing around the neighbourhood.

“Oh, so you’re out here chasing ghosts instead of reassuring mum? I see how it is.”

“That’s what I got you for,” Jack grinned. “Besides, what do I tell her?”

“What do I tell her?” Christine countered.

“The truth: we don’t know.”

“But you must have a suspicion?” she asked, desperately fishing for answers.

“We think he’s tracking some kind of creature,” Chris explained. “But we can’t exactly tell her that.”

Her eyes rested on the gun in his hand for a moment, but she chose not to comment on it.

“You mean like… hunting something? Here?!”

Jack could tell this idea scared her. He had briefly informed his siblings about the hunter situation after he had initially discovered it, but never really gone into detail about what this entailed. He also hadn’t mentioned Chris being one, being hunted by them himself, or the reason for that. She would probably have no idea that supernatural creatures other than Naturals were closer and larger in number than she might think.

“That’s right,” he nodded. “But the creature is mostly harmless, so don’t worry about it.”

“Easy for you to say,” she scoffed. “You know, I envy mum sometimes, not having to worry about this shit.”

“She’s got enough to worry about already,” Jack sighed. “You’d better go see her.”

“And what will you do?”

“Try to find him, I guess.”

She briefly touched his arm.

“Be careful.”

Then she crossed the street, casting a last glance at them before getting out her keys.

“She’s right, you know?” Chris remarked, watching her enter. “This stuff is nerve-wracking when you barely know what’s going on, or have no way to defend yourself.”

“I don’t think giving her a gun will improve anything,” Jack grinned.

“That wasn’t the point, but alright.”

“I know what you mean. It’s why we try to keep all of it a secret. Besides, humans aren’t as defenceless as people like to believe. If they set their mind to destroying all things magical, eventually, they will.”

“Don’t tell the fanatics,” Chris sighed.

Jack was quiet for a moment.

“Do you think he’s one of them?”

“Hard to say, really. I couldn’t really ask Klaas without it being suspicious. But the fact that he didn’t kick him out as soon as he arrived seems hopeful, I suppose.”

Chris had returned to the chapter, but there had been no news of the crelor or Ben. Returning to the place where Jack had encountered him had been a dead end as well. All he’d found were the silver rounds that had been fired at Jack some nights before. There were no traces of the crelor or any entrances to the fae world it might have possibly passed through.

“What now?” Jack sighed.

“Unless you manage to pick up some kind of clue simply by standing here, I’d say we go back home for now.”

“I’ve tried, but I’m not getting anything. And if he came by car, there’s no scent trail either.”

“Is… is that a thing you can do? Tracking people’s scent?”

“It’s easier as a wolf,” Jack shrugged. “My sense of smell is better, then. Right now it’s a little harder; I can’t exactly get down and sniff the ground without it looking really weird. But generally, yes. If I stand in front of the house, I can tell he’s been here. But the trail ends right there.”

“Huh…”

Chris looked up at him for a moment, probably wondering what he smelled like right now. He hadn’t showered today, that was for sure. But he had nothing to worry about: Jack loved his scent, no matter the circumstances.

“It’s likely he got in a car, then,” Chris agreed, after recomposing himself. “Which means he’s probably not around anymore.”

“Probably,” Jack sighed. “Come on, let’s go.”

 *

As quietly as he could, Jack slipped out of bed. Chris was fast asleep, curled up underneath the blankets. He quickly snatched up some clothes from the floor and left the bedroom to not risk waking him.

He hadn’t been able to sleep, the day’s events repeating themselves over and over in his head. Despite it, he had begun to drift away, until suddenly a shard of information dug itself into his mind, an icicle causing him to be wide awake again. He’d found him.

He felt a little guilty about not telling Chris where he was going, but this was something he would have to do on his own. Besides, it might not be smart to disclose to his father he was working with a hunter. They didn’t know what he would do with that information.

He kept his mind open while he walked, ready to pick up new information in case his target would move. He expected a cacophony of sounds, but it stayed surprisingly quiet, as if his head for once obeyed his will. That was one less thing to worry about.

When he arrived, his father was still inside the building he had first detected him in – or so he assumed, since he hadn’t heard any news of the contrary. It was run-down, with boarded up windows and graffiti’d walls, which made him believe he wasn’t simply visiting an old friend – unless that old friend was some kind of arms dealer. The street was quiet and no lights could be seen behind the windows, which meant they’d most likely be alone. Good.

Jack invisibly posted up against a wall on the opposite side and waited. He did not have to wait long, since after a few minutes the door opened and his father emerged, a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He glanced down both sides of the street, then stepped out. Jack waited a moment until he would be out of sight from whoever was still inside of the building, then placed a shield across the road, blocking it off.

His father walked into it face-first, immediately stepping back and reaching for the holster on his belt. Jack curved the shield around him so he bumped into it again while going backwards, leaving him with nowhere to go. His father ran his fingers across the invisible surface, then peered up and down the street again.

“Jack?”

His voice wavered, as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

Jack stepped out and appeared right in front of him, causing him to flinch, his back against the shield.

“That’s a neat trick you got there,” he laughed nervously, trying to regain his composure.

“There’s more where that came from,” Jack warned, his hands balled into fists inside of his pockets.

“You’ve grown so much,” his father observed, taking his time to look him over.

“You look like shit,” Jack countered.

He was only saying it to get a rise out of him, but now that they were up close, Jack noticed it wasn’t a lie. His father hadn’t shaved in days – or showered, judging by the smell. His hair was an unkempt, greasy mess. He was wearing the same long coat he’d worn when Jack had encountered him in the forest, splattered with dried mud and some sort of dark stains. The only things looking well-kept were the weapons hanging from his belt. His hand still hovered over the holster, but when he noticed Jack looking, he removed it, awkwardly putting his hands in his pockets to mirror Jack.

“You showed up at mum’s door like that?” Jack asked, arcing an eyebrow.

“Of course not!” he sputtered defensively. “These are my hunting clothes, they’re meant to get dirty.”

Jack squeezed his hands a little tighter, digging his nails into his palms. The way he just casually mentioned hunting, assuming Jack already knew, infuriated him. Did he just assume the Society would tell him eventually? He certainly hadn’t asked them to. He resisted the urge to remark upon it, and decided instead to cut to the chase.

“What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you guys. To find out how you were, what you were doing…”

“You wouldn’t have to ask if you’d stuck around,” Jack reminded him.

This hurt him, he could tell. Good.

His shoulders slumped slightly, then he held up his hands in an apologetic gesture.

“Look, I’m not going to pretend like I’ve handled this in the best way, or that I haven’t made mistakes. I haven’t been the father you all deserved, and I’m sorry.”

“But…?”

“But what?”

“It sounded like there was a “but” coming,” Jack shrugged.

“Well, I was hoping you would allow me to explain myself.”

Here we go.

“You could try, but don’t expect it to matter in any way.”

“I’m not,” he sighed.

He knocked on the translucent wall of his prison.

“This is hardly a place to talk. Why don’t we go somewhere else?”

“It’s as good a place as any,” Jack shrugged.

“We’re awfully close to my friend here,” his father pointed out, gesturing to the boarded-up building behind him. “He’s got weapons in there that will pierce right through your nice little shields.”

“I can’t tell whether that’s a threat or a challenge,” Jack grinned.

“It’s a warning.”

A hint of concern had appeared on his father’s face. Or was it all part of the act?

“Please, you do not want to underestimate him.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

He would have to ask Chris whether he had any idea who this guy was, or whether he’d dealt with him before. But it could wait. It didn’t seem like he would be going anywhere.

He removed the shield with a wave of his hand.

“Fine. We’ll walk. But don’t try anything.”

“Why are you so convinced I’m here to hurt you?”

Jack didn’t respond, and instead set a brisk pace, putting some distance between them. Soon, he heard his father’s heavy boots follow suit. Something in his head told him putting his back to him was a bad idea, but it was instinctual, not originating from his abilities. If he really was forthcoming about his intentions, let him prove it.

“Well, explain away, before I change my mind.”

“Um, right.”

His father cleared his throat, but said nothing, as if he was deciding where to begin.

“Why’d you become a hunter?” Jack pushed him, not having the patience to deal with this.

“Because of my big mouth, I suppose.”

A wry smile showed on his father’s face.

“So, as you may have found out, Naturals are pretty common in our family. But I wasn’t one, and I always felt like I was treated differently for it. So I decided to get out, make my own way. I met your mother, and things were good. Until one day, they started bothering me again. A little after Christine was born, I believe. Suddenly, they wanted to be a part of my life again – wanted to meet their grandchildren. It was obvious they weren’t interested in me at all, and were just acting on the off chance my children would be like them.”

He spoke the words with such disgust it took Jack every last bit of restraint not to punch him.

“I couldn’t stand being around them so when they visited, I went out. And I may have had a little too much to drink, and talked about my problems a little too loudly.”

“The hunters overheard you,” Jack guessed.

“A group of fanatics,” his father sighed. “They were sympathetic, claimed to understand my troubles and share my grudges. And I went along with them. I had some knowledge about the supernatural world, but it was through them I realised the scope of it. The dangers that were out there. We were hunting all kinds of things – it never occurred to me that our views on certain subjects might differ. There were monsters out there, and they had to die.”

He hesitated.

“I had no idea they thought of Naturals in the same way.”

“Oh, so Naturals are fine and the rest are monsters. That’s where you draw the line?”

“Naturals are human,” he concluded after a pause, glancing at Jack, trying to gauge the look on his face.

Jack said nothing, just looked at him.

“But that’s beside the point right now,” his father quickly added before he could open his mouth to protest. “At some point, I refused to go along with them any longer. A while later, they were… taken care of. I only realised afterwards that it was the first good night’s sleep I’d had in a while.”

“Taken care of how?” Jack asked.

“The way you’d expect,” he shrugged. “Someone must have tipped off the Naturals about their plans.”

“I see.”

With an organised move like that, the Society must have handled it, Jack suspected. Things like that weren’t done by individuals, no matter how strong they were.

“Still doesn’t explain why you left, though,” he pointed out.

His father didn’t meet his gaze.

“That would be because I’m a coward,” he mumbled after a while.

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

Another long silence.

“When I realised what you were, I – …I panicked. The things I’d done, I couldn’t…”

He straightened, taking a deep breath.

“I knew I wouldn’t be able to be there for you. My history…”

“You were too busy feeling sorry for yourself,” Jack concluded.

“I didn’t…”

Jack raised a hand to shut him up.

“No, no, I understand perfectly fine. You can’t stand it when the world doesn’t revolve around you. You want to be the smartest and strongest person in the room, and you felt too threatened by a fucking child to stick around!”

“That’s not…”

“Shut up!”

Jack flung a bolt of energy straight past his head. It impacted in the wall with a thundering crack and sizzled there for a moment. The energy crackled through his body, fed by his rage. I could crush you, something primal deep inside of him growled, and he felt something in his bones shift.

Not now, was the thought that immediately followed, and he pushed it back down, regaining control. The crackling subsided, and he took a deep breath.

Before him, his father had grown very pale, only now realising the extent of his son’s power. Or, at least, his assumption of it. Perhaps one day he’d get to experience the full range, Jack thought. For now this was enough, though. He could see the look in his eyes had turned from apologetic to fear. He was completely at Jack’s mercy, and he knew it. Jack thoroughly enjoyed it.

He crossed his arms and waited, a challenge waiting to be met. But the response stayed out. His father, for once, had nothing to say. Or perhaps he was simply too scared to say it. It was for the best, Jack thought. An apology would be hollow and meaningless, and nothing else he could possibly say would be able to make a difference.

“You’re right,” he eventually whispered, still not meeting Jack’s gaze. “When I found out, I couldn’t even look at you. I told myself it was because of what I’d done, and I kept telling myself that until it was too late to turn back. And then I was too scared to go back, not knowing what I’d find. What if my leaving had torn our family apart? But perhaps what I was most scared of was finding out I wasn’t missed at all. That you were doing fine without me. That I wasn’t needed and never had b-.”

Before he could finish, Jack’s fist connected with his nose, resulting in a satisfying crunch. His father bent over, grasping for his face.

“I didn’t think you could make it any worse, but here you are,” Jack sighed. “Once again making everything about you.”

He leaned in, grabbing him by the shirt to make sure he was looking.

“Let me make something very clear. I don’t give a shit about what you came here to do. I don’t want to see you around mum, or Christine, or Tony. You were right: we don’t need you, and we never have.”

He let go and turned to walk away, then changed his mind.

“And I don’t need my powers to hurt you.”

 *

When he snuck into the room, he found Chris waiting for him, the hunters’ data spread out on the table before him. They exchanged a look.

“Wanna tell me about it?”

Jack sank down onto the couch with a sigh. He’d expected an argument about him sneaking off without telling Chris, but it didn’t appear to bother him much. He seemed only concerned.

“Fucking coward,” was all he managed to say for the moment.

He put his head in his hands and rubbed his temples.

Chris moved over to him, taking his hand and studying it.

“Did you punch him?”

“Damn right I did,” Jack grinned. “And I would have done it again had I stuck around. So I figured it was probably time to leave.”

“Was it worth it?”

“Punching him? Hell yes.”

“Talking to him.”

“I don’t know,” Jack sighed. “I learned that he sucks, but I kinda already knew that.”

He pulled his feet up onto the couch, hugging his knees.

“Turns out he left because he can’t stand to be around someone stronger than him,” he recounted, rolling his eyes. “Being around Naturals reminds him of the fact that he isn’t one, and apparently that’s too fucking much to bear. Like I said: pathetic.”

“I’m sorry,” Chris said, leaning in closer. “I was really hoping for him to be a decent guy, despite all the evidence pointing to the contrary.”

“How can someone who disappears for fifteen years possibly be a decent guy?”

“If he had a good reason, perhaps. You know what? Forget I said anything.”

“It’s alright. Weirdly, I was hoping the same thing.”

He sighed and leaned his head against Chris’.

“I guess you could say we’re in the same boat – with parents who don’t accept us for who we are.”

“It’s a boat full of holes, and there’s only one oar,” Chris added, grinning.

“The sharks are waiting to eat us.”

“How about we hit them with the oar?”

“Hmm. That’ll work.”

They sat like this for a while, simply enjoying each other’s presence in silence. Then Jack sat up, suddenly remembering something.

“Have you heard about some kind of arms dealer around here? Some place on the north side of town; kinda shady; boarded up windows?”

“Erik? Yeah, I know him.”

Chris sat up straight, a curious look in his eye, with a hint of worry.

“Why?”

“That’s where I met him. Not inside, obviously. But he’d been shopping.”

“That’s worrying,” Chris mumbled.

“Why?” it was now Jack’s turn to ask.

“Erik is… a strange one. Fanatic to an almost zealous degree. But the thing is: he doesn’t hunt. He’s just a businessman, or so he claims. Selling to criminal and hunter alike. Of course he keeps two separate “collections” to suit each of their interests. But as far as I know, only the more fanatical hunters visit him. I’ve only been there once and he made me highly uncomfortable.”

“Well, he did say he used to hang out with the fanatics. Maybe it’s just someone he knows from before?”

“Could be. But Erik sells all kinds of things, including things to take out Naturals.”

Jack thought about the threat he’d made. Weapons that will pierce right through your nice little shields. But why warn him about it when it might ruin the element of surprise?

“We don’t know if he bought those, though,” Chris continued, trying to reassure him. “Perhaps he just went to stock up on silver bullets.”

“Which would be equally bad.”

“…Right.”

“But very possible, he did fire a lot of them.”

He leaned back into his seat.

“He was carrying a duffle bag, though. Don’t think it was filled with just bullets.”

“Either way, guessing won’t get us anywhere,” Chris pointed out. “Did he mention the crelor at all?”

Jack shook his head.

“He said he was here for us. Didn’t even mention hunting something.”

“Damn.”

“You’re really focused on this thing, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am! I want to know what it’s doing here, and why. And apparently your dad wants to know the same thing, so perhaps we will learn something useful about him along the way.”

Jack sighed. He preferred to not have to deal with his father ever again, but he had to admit he was curious as well. And if the crelor really was a peaceful creature, like Chris claimed, he wanted to find out what his father’s intentions with it were, before it would be too late.

“How do you think we should go about it?” he asked.

Chris’ eyes lit up.

“I could go back to the chapter, see if I can find out more. We know for certain he’s been there, perhaps we could wait for him to return and just happen to meet him there.”

“And with “us” you mean “you”. I’m not getting in there.”

“Obviously.”

“I’ll just… keep working on gathering information, I guess. Perhaps I could find something about Erik.”

“From in here, I hope?”

“No, I was thinking about visiting him and being stabbed. Adds some spice to my day.”

Chris shook his head, not being able to maintain a straight face.

“You got that right,” Eyrian sighed, wishing he had brought some as well. “Mind if I sit down? I think they’ll be at it for a while,” he nodded towards the group.

Dai gestured beside him as a way of confirmation, while observing him.

“You’re that guy from before, right? At the training field?”

“That’s right. I’m Eyrian.”

“Dai.”

Cheers arose from the players, drawing their attention. They watched as the winner was being slapped on the back before starting the next round. Small tokens were being distributed and then played, until a certain point had been reached which required all contestants to react as quickly as possible, which was interesting to observe from people with superhuman speed. Eyrian had played before, but only vaguely recalled the rules.

“You’re not like the others, are you?” Dai asked suddenly.

Eyrian looked up.

“You’re right – I actually hate it here,” he grinned.

Dai gave him a curious look.

“That’s not what I meant.”

He glanced back at the group, still focused on their game.

“Do they know?”

“Know what?” Eyrian asked, getting nervous from his piercing eyes.

“They don’t, then,” Dai concluded. “Better cover that up, in that case.”

He nodded towards Eyrian’s legs.

Eyrian looked down, noticing a shimmer of scales peeping out from under his pant leg. He quickly pulled the fabric back into place.

“Merfolk?” Dai guessed. “Ralek mentioned you were a sailor.”

Eyrian nodded, a little surprised that Ralek had mentioned him at all, then glanced around, but the nearest people were all occupied with each other.

Whenever he transformed, it always took a while for his scales to disappear, usually a week or two. The smartest course of action was to either avoid people during this time or to cover them up. Considering Themiya Ariz was close to the coast, he had chosen the second option, hoping the clothes he’d brought would be enough to cover him up.

He’d clearly been wrong.

“That’s why you’re never around here?” Dai assumed.

“Oh, no, I’ve been avoiding this place since forever,” Eyrian sighed.

He grabbed a piece of fabric that was serving as a blanket, but currently not in use, and draped it over his legs as if he were cold.

“Never really felt like I belonged here,” he clarified. “Everyone’s so…” he searched for words.

“Fanatical?” Dai grinned. “I know all about it – I’m friends with Ralek, of all people.”

Even though he still felt uncomfortable, this managed to make Eyrian smile.

“Then you know what this place is like. Fighting and the gods – that’s all anyone ever talks about. I just never felt like I fit in. I’ve always preferred the sea, even before… this.”

He gestured at his legs underneath the blanket.

“You must be here for a reason, then,” Dai concluded.

“Isn’t visiting my mother reason enough?” Eyrian objected. “– But you’re right, I wouldn’t travel all this way without good reason.”

He glanced at Ralek again, but the game was still ongoing and it didn’t appear as if he’d be joining them soon. Might as well put his cards on the table already.

“I wanted to know more about the magic that keeps this place hidden.”

“Hmm.”

“How it works – if anyone even knows that – and whether it could be recreated. I was hoping Ralek would be able to help, considering he is just about the only one who doesn’t seem to dislike me – although I can’t for the life of me figure out why.”

Dai grinned.

“Questionable taste in friends? I mean, look at me.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re friends, necessarily. He used to be my teacher.”

“Oh, that’s easy, then: he cares for his students. No matter how obnoxious they might be.”

“I guess s- …Hey!”

“Actual words he used. “Obnoxious little man. Left us for the sea.” Just ask him.”

“Sure he did…”

“Ask him. I’ll wait.”

“Knowing him, he’ll say yes regardless of whether it’s true,” Eyrian pointed out. “So I’ll pass.”

Dai took a sip from the bottle.

“Shame.”

“You two must be close, for you to be invited here,” Eyrian observed. “How long have you known each other?”

“Oh, for ages. I couldn’t say how many years. Hundreds, probably.”

“You’re not human, then. And you’re also not from around here…”

“Nope.”

Eyrian waited for a clarification, but it stayed out. Then what are you, he wanted to ask, but as he opened his mouth Dai started speaking again.

“We met on the battlefield – I don’t even remember what battle. I was… intrigued by him. Fast as lightning, and his magic was different than what I was used to. I wanted to figure out how it worked – much like you do right now. So we stayed in touch.”

“What magic do you usually work with?” Eyrian asked, still focused on figuring him out.

“Enveryn, mostly.”

“En-what?”

“The kind Naturals and demons use.”

“Ah. Didn’t know it had a fancy name. So you’re a demon? That explains the age, at least.”

He observed Dai for a moment.

“Your disguise is better than mine,” he concluded.

Dai just grinned.

Eyrian sometimes envied demons for their illusions and shapeshifting abilities. A friend of his could blend in with the crowd seamlessly despite their own form being seven foot tall and very spiky. Meanwhile he would always be at risk of discovery: if not for his scales it was for his gills, which never fully disappeared. They had been tattooed over, blending in with the lines of ink until someone were to inspect them up close. He brushed his fingers across them, a habit he had developed over the years. They always felt smooth, as he didn’t need them on land, but he couldn’t help checking anyway, especially when he’d recently come from the water.

“Why are you interested in cloaking magic?” Dai asked, studying his face curiously.

“The merfolk,” he sighed. “They need protection. Since the seas are getting more and more crowded with ships, they are being forced to deeper waters. Soon there will be no place left for them to live undetected, or to safely go to shore.”

He gestured around them.

“These barriers have always protected this village from outside threats; preserved their way of life. Imagine what they could do elsewhere.”

Dai took another sip from the bottle, pensively looking at the group at the other side of the fire.

“How will you convince them to help you if you’re not willing to disclose your secret?” he asked.

“…I’m working on that.”

“Well, work faster.”

Eyrian looked up to see the others returning to sit with them, their game apparently finished. He had been too occupied to notice who had won in the end.

“Eyrian! I see you’ve met Dai.”

Ralek sat down next to them, resting his sword on his lap.

“What did you want to talk to me about?”

“I want to figure out what it is exactly that protects this place from the outside world.”

“Easy,” Ralek shrugged. “The gods.”

The answer threw him off for a moment. From the corner of his eye he could see Dai trying not to laugh. He’d known this would happen all along, Eyrian realised. And to be quite honest: so did he.

“I was hoping for an answer that’s a little more… physical? Like, how does it work?”

Ralek considered this for a moment.

“I’m afraid the answer doesn’t change much. Truth is: we don’t exactly know. The forests make people lose their way, but how they work, or even what powers them, we haven’t been able to figure out. We suspect the tunnels have something to do with it, or perhaps the ore underground, it’s just extremely hard to investigate something on such a scale.”

“So you have no idea whether it could be replicated?” Eyrian asked.

“Replicated? No. We simply don’t know enough. Due to some recent efforts we have some pretty extensive mapping of the tunnels, but that’s it. We don’t know what powers it, where it originates, or whether the tunnels are even involved at all. This protection is a gift from the gods; if you want to know how it works, ask them.”

“I’m sure they’re dying to talk to me,” Eyrian sighed, rolling his eyes.

“You never know until you try,” Ralek said with a smile. “What do you need it for, anyway? Smuggling?”

“What? No! The same thing you use it for: protecting people.”

“You’re not trying to start another pirate republic, are you?”

“Another? As if I had any hand in creating the first one. Nassau was fun while it lasted, but it was doomed to fail. Places like that don’t last.”

“Hmm. Whatever it is, perhaps our other defences will be more suitable. Lucky for you, our expert is right here.”

He gestured towards Dai.

“What? What kind of defences?” Eyrian asked.

“The less godly kind,” Dai grinned.

“…Guns?”

“No! Just different shields.”

“Dai put them up after I first brought him here,” Ralek explained. “They keep us hidden from above, among other things.”

“And you didn’t think to mention that earlier?”

“You didn’t ask,” Dai shrugged.

“How can I ask for something I don’t know anything about!”

“I got the impression you’re very good at that. You didn’t know shit about the other protection either.”

“At least I knew it existed…”

Eyrian looked up at the sky, but he couldn’t detect anything that would betray the presence of a shield. But then again, it was dark.

“What’s keeping them up when you’re not here?” he asked.

“Nothing. They stay up by themselves.”

“How?”

Dai raised an eyebrow.

“Short answer: magic. Long answer: you really don’t want to hear the long answer. It’s boring.”

“So you would be able to put them anywhere…” Eyrian pondered.

“Possibly.”

“But what if…”

“You know what?” Dai interrupted him. “I was going to check on them in the morning anyway. Why don’t you join me, and we’ll see if we can come to an arrangement.”

“Arrangement?”

“You didn’t think I work for free, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Why else do you think I’m here? To collect my payment.”

“Not even to see an old friend?” Ralek grinned.

“An added benefit,” Dai admitted.

Eyrian thought for a moment. He knew deals with demons weren’t what the stories made them out to be, but still he wondered what he would possibly have to offer that would be of interest to someone so powerful. As for the village, he knew exactly what had been bargained for. Something magical that could not be obtained anywhere else, a secret closely guarded for generations? Truly, there was only one thing he could possibly be interested in: their steel. From his position, Ralek could easily pull some strings and have easy access to it.

Eyrian on the other hand would have to think of a different solution. Perhaps the best course of action would be to just hear Dai out to see what he wanted. He struck him as the type who knew exactly in what way someone could be useful to him at a glance. One way or another, he would always get what he wanted.

“Let’s leave business talk for tomorrow,” Dai suggested, handing the bottle to Eyrian, knowing Ralek would just refuse.

“Why don’t you teach us how to play that game instead?”

 *

They had taken the path up the mountainside, and followed it past the mine entrances to its highest point, where Dai would be able to inspect the shield. Now that they were higher up, Eyrian could discern a slight shimmer in the air, but only when he squinted and looked at exactly the right angle.

“All good,” Dai said, hopping down from a rock. “These will easily last another century or so.”

“What if they were under water?”

Dai considered this while taking in the breath-taking view.

“Setting them up will be more challenging, I’d need some help for sure. But once they’re up, I don’t foresee any trouble.”

“And will they help?”

“Depends on what you need, really. There’s ones that are merely illusions, and more complicated ones that actively deter people, much like your forests.”

Dai gestured in their direction, far below, stretching out all the way from the foot of the mountain to the seaside in the distance, enveloping the small town like a blanket.

“Then, of course, there is the question of where you need them. Which schools are most in need of help? How many do you wish to protect?”

“As many as possible,” Eyrian sighed. “But you’re right. Some are in more direct danger than others. The coastal ones would be a start.”

“You’re going to need a plan. And perhaps some help in deciding what the best course of action would be. There are more possible solutions than just shields.”

“If you say so. You’re the magic expert.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t consider myself an expert,” Dai chuckled. “Just someone who’s… experienced in wielding it.”

He continued down the path.

“Luckily for you, I have many contacts. I’m sure one of them will be able to make themselves useful, if we were to come to an agreement.”

“About that…” Eyrian started. “What would you need from me? I’m not sure what I would have to offer.”

“Hmm. Do you still have a ship?”

Eyrian shook his head.

“Had to leave her behind with the first mate to take care of some business. Haven’t heard from them in ages. Navy probably has her by now. Or sank her.”

He looked up.

“Why? Got some cargo that needs moving? Cargo that needs stealing?”

“Not at the moment. But it’s nice to have contacts in case I’m in need of something.”

“What is it you do, exactly? You seem like a powerful guy: you know people, you know magic – but what do you do with it?”

“Use it to gather more power and influence,” Dai shrugged, like it was obvious.

“To do what?”

“Rule. Hopefully.”

Eyrian stopped in his tracks, looking at him in disbelief.

“Rule Hell?”

“A portion of it. But yes.”

“Huh.”

Eyrian observed Dai for a moment. For as far as he could tell, he looked like just a regular guy. But he knew appearances could be deceiving.

“A friend of mine once said that trying to rule demons is like herding cats,” he remarked.

This made Dai laugh.

“Let me guess: this friend does not enjoy spending much time with them.”

Eyrian shook his head, smiling.

“Neither demons nor cats. They came to earth after some unrest in their region, and never left.”

“There’s a lot of us up here, although not all for the same reasons. Some are staying quiet, others are troublemakers. But most of all: they’re few and far between.”

Dai looked into the distance.

“I have reason to believe the current emperor – my boss – has plans to change that.”

“Change it? You mean sending more demons to earth?”

Dai nodded.

“I’ve known him for a long time; power has changed him, and not for the better. He grows bored without something to conquer. And I know earth has always been a fascination of his, but he looks at it from an outside perspective. There are humans under his employ, but he doesn’t care about them or their potential. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these days he decides he’ll make his move.”

“And you want to swoop in, dethrone him and save earth? How noble.”

Dai turned around.

“What? No, I’m doing this for me, first and foremost. I’ve grown… irritated with his methods over the years. It’s about time someone put him in his place.”

“What would you do different?”

Dai sighed, folding his arms in front of him.

“Do you have a while?”

“Sure,” Eyrian shrugged.

“Do you have any knowledge about how things are organised in Hell?”

“…No.”

“Then that’s a story for another time. Let’s first focus on our deal some more.”

“Right. Because being indebted to the future king of Hell sounds like such a great idea.”

“How about being friends with the future king of Hell?”

Eyrian raised an eyebrow.

“We’re friends?”

“Not yet.”

Eyrian held his response, since he felt a “but” coming.

“Travel with me for a while,” Dai suggested.

“What?”

“You don’t give off the impression of having anything planned after going here.”

Eyrian hated to admit it, but he was right. He’d hoped to gain magical knowledge here, or perhaps someone who could assist him in installing the protections he’d been looking for, and had – perhaps somewhat foolishly – assumed that enacting this would keep him busy for quite a while. At no point had he considered what to do if he’d fail. Although it didn’t feel like he had failed yet. It had gotten him this invitation, after all.

“And what do you have planned?”

“You’ll see,” Dai grinned. “The chance my boss will need me right now is very small, so I should have time for some personal errands.”

He gestured out towards the sea.

“I’ll stay close to the coast, if that’s what you’re worried about. And along the way, you can think of what exactly you want, and I will be able to figure out whether you’re worth the investment. And an investment it will be, since I don’t think there’s anything you could give me right now. Am I right?”

He was right again. Everything he owned, he had on him. And he didn’t think Dai would be interested in any of it. Whatever was left on the ship, he considered lost by now, like the ship itself. All he could do was wait until Dai would need a favour.

“I could give you my sword?” he suggested, only half joking.

“I don’t want your sword. Besides, Ral would kill me.”

“And then me. If only he knew the things I’ve tried to get rid of it,” Eyrian grinned.

Dai observed him, intrigued.

“Do you really hate it that much?”

Eyrian shrugged.

“I used to. I never asked for it. I never wanted to be a part of this place, and it served as a constant reminder of that fact. It felt like I couldn’t escape it.”

He looked at the town stretching out below them.

“But now that I’ve been away for so long, that feeling has gotten less prominent. We tolerate each other.”

“I see.”

“I have to say, though – if you’re going to ask all of your questions now, there won’t be any left for the road.”

“Does that mean you’re coming?”

“It does,” Eyrian confirmed. “If only because I wouldn’t know what else to do.”

Dai smiled.

In the distance, Dai could see the three towers of the palace jutting out above everything else, their white marble gleaming in the light, drawing in the eye. Unlike the last time he’d been here, they were topped with banners in blue and gold, the colours of the Empire’s emblem. Also unlike last time he’d been here, all three of them were intact. It seemed they had been restored after the air strike. Despite Alderyn’s secrecy, he suspected this was their destination, although he still hadn’t been told what exactly they were here for. Or rather, what his boss was here for. Dai, who was used to being sent out for solo missions, figured he must have been asked along because of his familiarity with the region.

He had lived in Isskhat for years, working for its lord, until the Empire had come along and overthrown her, bringing all of Adas Quadir under Empire rule. It was customary – he knew now – to integrate people from the old power structure into the new one, to make the transition of power go as smoothly as possible, so Dai ended up under the command of the general who took the city. He must have made an impression, since by the time the transition of power had been arranged, a new leader had been instated and the general had made preparations to go home, he had taken Dai with him. It was the first time he had been this far away from Adas Quadir, and he hadn’t been back until now.

He had needed some time to adjust. Sure, Isskhat was a city, but it was also remote and its harsh climate deterred many outside visitors. How different things were in Kalerran. Everything seemed to be bigger, louder and faster there. The streets near the centre were crowded, no matter the time of day, and there appeared to be a great diversity of people from all over Kellan. It wasn’t until then that he had realised just how massive the Empire was, and how many different countries and cultures it possessed. There were even a couple of humans! Until then, he had heard of Earth only in stories, and certainly hadn’t expected to ever go there.

It was because of this contrast that Dai hadn’t immediately picked up on the signs surrounding him. Sure, Isskhat wasn’t as ostentatious, and they were still on its outer edges, but as they progressed he could feel this was not the city he remembered. The buildings they passed were new, but poorly built. Some were unfinished, others lacked doors and windows while people had clearly already been living there for a while. People they passed on the street had hollow eyes and gaunt faces, as if the life had been drained from them. They took a wide berth around Dai and Alderyn, averting their gaze.

“Something’s not right,” he pointed out with a hushed voice, leaning in so his boss could hear.

“How far until we reach the inner city?” Alderyn asked, pretending not to hear.

“It’s not far,” Dai answered, slowing his pace a little while continuing to look around.

“…but I have to ask: what exactly is our goal here?”

“It’ll become clear once we get there.”

“Get where?”

“The palace.”

So he had been right about their destination.

Not expecting to get another word out of his boss, Dai continued on. They had by now arrived in a part of the city he remembered from before he’d left. They passed by a run-down building, hammered shut with boards. He recognised it, having been sent here to deal with a disturbance once by his previous boss. It had appeared as dismal as it did now: broken windows, door hanging half off its hinges, “keep out” written on the wall in red paint. Back then, a gang of thieves had made its headquarters there, until Dai made quick work of them. In the years after, a bakery had opened its doors in its place, and other stores soon followed. It had become a lively street with people coming and going.

Right now it looked as if none of that had ever happened. The street was abandoned except for an older woman hurrying along to enter a building on the opposite side. Dai could hear several bolts slide in place after she’d closed the door. Her house was in bad shape, as were most of the others, with walls crumbling and roofs sagging. One building had burned down, a blackened skeleton all that remained. Some were not much more than patchworks of planks and tarps, as if emergency repairs had been done over and over again, without the means to make any lasting improvements. People still lived here. People who were desperate and had no other place to go. People Dai might have known by name once.

Feeling watched, he quickened his pace, causing him to leave Alderyn’s bubble. His boss did not feel the need to catch up and instead let him go ahead. Glancing at the buildings he passed, Dai’s unrest only grew. These damages were of a magical nature, he recognised now. He’d seen enough of it over the years to be certain: they were caused when the city had been taken. But that had been years ago – surely there would have been time to fix things?

He paused at an intersection, waiting for Alderyn to catch up.

“The inner city is just up ahead.”

His boss only nodded as a response, but studied his face closely, as if to gauge for something.

Dai turned and kept walking, knowing that his thoughts on the matter could likely be read on his face. He’s probably wondering whether he should have left me at home, he thought. It was strange: he hadn’t detected doubt on his boss’s face before. Sure, the two of them weren’t always on the same page, and there had been disagreements, but there had always been a sense of implicit trust. I’m sure you’ll work it out, those looks said. Now there was a hint of unease, as if Alderyn questioned his own decisions, unsure of their outcome. In turn, it made Dai feel uncertain about the feasibility of their mission, before he’d even been told what exactly it entailed.

Especially since Alderyn usually never let his face betray what he was thinking. In public he had always acted infallible, seemingly unaffected by whatever news was being told to him. Dai knew this was just a façade, and that his emotions were reserved for behind closed doors. A leader needed to appear stable and reliable, anything hinting at the contrary would only undermine his position.

However, these appearances were only maintained until everyone else had left, and Dai had therefore witnessed his boss’s wrath on several occasions. It was frightening, and he tried his best to never be at its receiving end, something in which he not always succeeded. But violent outbursts he knew how to handle. Whatever this was, was completely new to him. And he wasn’t sure whether it was a good thing.

 As they approached the city centre, the buildings gradually started to look better maintained. Here and there he could see elements of lighter stone beginning to appear on the buildings’ facades and door frames. He recognised them as signs of wealth and influence – or, in the sparse amounts as they were visible here, wanting people to believe one had either. Lighter stone had to be imported, and because everything in Isskhat was continually being coated in ash, most people didn’t bother. Having a house constructed out of white stone showed you were wealthy enough to pay someone to keep it clean at all times. Likewise, letting your white building go grimy implicated money troubles. Although they hadn’t quite crossed into that territory yet, Dai already knew the buildings in the centre would shine brightly as usual. Hard times never bothered the rich.

Apart from the lighter stone, something else seemed to increase in frequency the further they moved inward: outsiders. It was to be expected that its annexation to the Empire would bring people from all over towards Isskhat, but that didn’t mean the city would become any more comfortable or accommodating to them. The people Dai saw out on the streets looked terribly out of place, wearing the wrong attire for this climate and hiding themselves in shields and coverings. Others had done a better job at adapting and dressed like the locals, but their foreign physicality still made them stick out like sore thumbs to the locals, most of whom kept their distance.

At the wall which indicated the entrance to the city proper, Dai noticed something odd. A shimmer hung in the air above it, barely noticeable to the eye, but it was its familiar hum of energy he had picked up on. The inner city was shielded from something, spanning all across from wall to wall. Nervously, Dai peered at the gate up ahead, searching for guards or any other sign of restricted access. There didn’t seem to be any, and people walked in and out unhindered. Dai side-eyed his boss, but his face didn’t indicate anything, so he kept walking towards the gate.

Passing through it, Dai immediately felt a drop in temperature. The inner city was being artificially cooled down. Next to that, the air was also cleaner here, and people passing through alongside them removed their masks or dropped their protective shields.

“How long has this been here?” Dai asked Alderyn, who had now also let go of his bubble.

“I’m not sure, but there was talk of realising something like this when we left for Kalerran.”

This was the most straightforward answer he’d gotten all day, Dai realised. And even this was vague.

“It is but one part of a plan to make the city more habitable,” his boss continued.

“It was perfectly habitable before!” Dai protested.

“Even more so if they had spent all that effort on actually rebuilding,” he grumbled to himself.

Alderyn now met his eye, his face not betraying whether he had really not heard or simply pretended to.

“Not everyone would agree with that statement. People have different needs.”

“People also have alternative cities to choose from,” Dai pointed out.

“Is it really that bad to be able to breathe?” his boss smiled.

Dai shrugged.

“…I suppose not. But I’m worried about the rest of this “great plan”. What else have they done?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t as involved anymore by then, as I was preparing to leave. But I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

“Can’t wait…” Dai sighed.

As they moved further into the inner city, the contrast couldn’t be greater. The streets were clean here, with coloured canopies spanning over their heads to offer shade. Street vendors had set up shop along the main road leading from the gate, their wares spread out across their tables, with no need for protective coverings to shield them from the ash. Here and there small displays of magic served to draw attention to certain booths, and groups of people gathered around them to watch. Dai spotted a lot of local wares, but also things he only knew from Kalerran, which seemed to have made their way here. They passed by people of all shapes and sizes, rich and poor alike. He saw a pair of wealthy ladies wearing colourful clothing that was obviously not meant for the city’s outer circles. Dai wondered if they ever did venture there, or whether their entire lives took place within its gates.

Others clearly hailed from outside the gates, their clothing rugged and grey, covered in a fine layer of dust. Most were just frequenting the stalls, or making their way to somewhere deeper into the city, but a little further ahead Dai spotted one of them trying to blend in with the shadows, then moving out to “accidentally” brush against someone. Upon getting closer, he realised they were just a kid. Their skin was thick, with the texture of lava rocks, but despite that they appeared unhealthily thin. Down the street he spotted another, perhaps a little brother, who nodded in the direction of a couple which had just made a purchase, a coin purse hanging off of a belt, ripe for the taking. As they continued walking, the older kid swooped in to claim their prize.

Dai couldn’t help but think back to his own childhood, which had mainly been filled with stealing and scavenging, until someone had taken note of his magical talents and brought him to the city. From experience he knew these kids must have very little, and these coins were probably the biggest thing they’d get their hands on this week. And there was always the risk of being caught. In this richer neighbourhood they were playing a dangerous game, but the rewards were so much bigger that to them it was worth the gamble.

Dai and Alderyn had almost turned the corner when a voice cried out.

“Hey! Get back here!”

As Dai looked back he saw two smaller figures duck back deeper into the crowd, as people made way for a pair of guards who were in pursuit, magic gathering at their fingertips. He doubted whether the kids would be able to get away, and wondered what their punishment would be.

His boss had kept walking, not seeming very eager to run into more guards. As Dai turned the corner and caught up with him, in the distance he could see the canal, with tall bridges spanning across it like reaching arms. Its embankments were crusted with glass, built up as sand had been blown in over the ages and melted by the heat. The smooth, crystalline surface reflected the deep red glow of the lava below, making it appear as if a glass blower was at work in the walls. Roads lay alongside the canal on both sides; all that separated people from the deadly drop was a tall fence decorated with wrought-iron curls and spikes. Nevertheless, accidents had happened, Dai knew.

As they approached, he realised that here too, things weren’t as he remembered. The usually impressive flow of lava had died down to a trickle, barely enough to maintain its fluid state. Even though he knew the intensity of the flow varied, like the tides, he had never seen it be this low. Had something happened to the volcano? To go and see this for himself he would have to follow the canal for a while to its source, which couldn’t be seen from here, but he didn’t think his boss had scheduled any time for personal errands. The source wasn’t a volcano like he had seen them on his travels: with steep slopes and a crater on top. Here, the magma simply bubbled up from below, as it had been for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. The city had slowly formed around it, as people believed the never-ending stream to have some sort of magical power. Whether it did or not, they had profited off its heat and fertile ground for centuries, and the canal had always been treated with the utmost care. Until now, it seemed. Dai wondered whether the city’s new government would have something to do with that. Was this another part of the “great plan”? Did it have anything to do with the drop in temperature, perhaps? And if it did, which of the two had come first?

When they crossed the bridge, he paused for a moment at the top, leaning against the railing. Usually, sticking your head over the edge felt like a punch to the face, a singing heat that made your eyes water. Now it was more like a pleasant warmth. The top of the lava had coloured black, its surface constantly changing when cracks formed as the flow pushed it along. Dai looked down at the spider web of glowing lines and sighed. His boss, who had already reached the other side, walked back up and stood next to him.

“What happened?” Dai asked, already knowing the answer he was going to get.

“I don’t know,” his boss sighed.

It wasn’t an exasperated sigh this time, Dai noticed. It was almost like there was a hint of regret. Regret at letting it get this far, perhaps? When they had been stationed here, Alderyn had referred to the canal as “an impressive feat of engineering” once. He would never have allowed it to decline in this way.

“Let’s move on,” Alderyn said, his voice a little softer than usual.

 As they entered the plaza in front of the palace, Dai’s mind was still lingering on the canal, going through possible explanations for its current state. He figured they must be using the energy from the lava’s heat for something, but he didn’t have enough pieces of the puzzle to figure out what.

He started cutting across the plaza – in his mind the fastest way to the palace – when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Come.”

Alderyn pulled him into a building to the side, which appeared to be some sort of tea room. It was quiet, the few other guests paying them no mind as they found a table in the back.

“What are we doing here?” Dai whispered.

“Getting a drink,” his boss answered plainly.

Their order was taken and they sat in silence until it was brought out. Dai saw that the uncertainty had returned on his boss’ face. He’d been intently studying Dai’s face, but looked away when he was caught. Dai still couldn’t place it, but there was a certain unease, as if a big decision was upcoming.

Dai looked across the table expectantly for him to say something. When it stayed quiet, he decided to repeat his question.

“What are we doing here?”

“You may have noticed things have changed here quite a bit since the Empire’s arrival,” his boss started, after a brief moment of hesitation.

“Things have gone to shit,” Dai mumbled, not caring about knowing his place.

To his surprise, no reprimand followed. His boss only nodded.

“That’s why I brought you here.”

“What, to rub it in?”

“To show you the Empire won’t always be perfect. It is a big and complex structure, with many parts that work together, like an organism. But sometimes, parts of it will start to rot. These parts need to be cut out.”

He gave Dai a moment to think about this. Dai only now realised another bubble had been cast around them. A bubble to keep people from listening in.

“…What are you saying?” he asked, leaning in.

“I was the one in charge of taking this country. It should be my responsibility to take care of it. But I may have let things slip by not staying involved for long enough. This…”

He gestured around them.

“This is on me.”

“And you want to… fix it?”

Dai was genuinely surprised. His boss, while not the most bloodthirsty of the generals, was definitely not known for his compassion and concern for the wellbeing of others.

“An empire can only work when all of its parts contribute to its goal as a whole,” Alderyn continued. “Each country has something to offer, a good leader needs to find a balance between the needs of the Empire and those of their people. Whoever is responsible for the mess in Isskhat did not have their priorities in order. Of course, changes are bound to happen, since nothing ever stays the same. Some of these changes can be explained by adjusting to a different rule, or wanting to make the city more hospitable to people from elsewhere in the Empire. But others cannot, and show either a terrible grasp on the reality of ruling a country, or a complete disregard for the wellbeing of their subjects.”

“So, what do you want to do about it?”

“Like I said: cut out the rotten parts.”

Dai leaned in eagerly, a grin beginning to show on his face.

“So why am I here? Where do I come in in this plan of yours?”

Alderyn raised a hand to interject.

“I was getting to that.”

He sat up a little straighter and cleared his throat.

“Firstly, because this is your home, involving you felt like a logical step. You know this place, which could be to our advantage. But more importantly: please know that it is not my intention to hide things from you. I feel there is a certain level of confidence between us. Recently, you have shown that I can place my trust in you and since trust is a thing that works both ways, this is my way of reciprocating that trust. I want you to know that you can trust me, even when…”

He glanced at the sudden movement of someone getting up from their table.

“…even when my intentions or interests might not always align with the Empire at large.”

He looked at Dai intently as he processed what was being said.

Dai – knowing that things were not always as they seemed and more importantly, Alderyn did not just do things from the goodness of his heart – returned the look.

“Tell me – these “rotten parts” you speak of; does cutting them out benefit the Empire – or you?”

His boss smiled – a very cunning smile that Dai knew all too well.

“Depends on who you ask.”

Dai leaned back in his chair.

“If this were coming from anyone else, I’d say that sounds an awful lot like treason.”

“Treason,” his boss chuckled. “I’d say it’s more like… a nudge in the right direction.”

“Pretty big nudge if it involves murder.”

Alderyn raised an eyebrow.

“Remind me again, how many people have you “nudged” lately?”

“I’m just messing with you,” Dai grinned. “To be honest: I’d take your judgement over the Empire’s any day.”

There was a glint in Alderyn’s eye.

“Some people would say that sounds like treason.”

“But not you, it appears,” Dai shrugged.

“Not me,” Alderyn repeated.

It was silent for a bit, as they both to themselves processed the conversation.

Dai wasn’t quite sure what to make of these developments. Until now, obedience and loyalty to the Empire had been expected of him. He had been taught its history, which mainly focused on its greatness and importance. He was well aware of the one-sidedness of this presented story, and had always remained sceptical despite not showing it too much outwardly. When Alderyn started to teach him about the Empire’s inner workings, the way its different parts interacted, he had no choice but to admit it was built on a solid foundation, which had managed to unify many former enemies. They all had a part to play, his boss had said, and he had sent Dai to procure or deliver items, and later on to deal with any sources of resistance which could potentially threaten the Empire.

On these assignments he’d gotten to experience a different side of the Empire: its fringes, where structure and order clashed with individuality, ambition, or chaos. Sometimes, this friction was caused by a malevolent force, actively trying to undermine the established rule. In other instances, he had been sent somewhere only to realise what he was facing were… people. Regular people who had ended up in a situation not unlike what was happening to his former home right now. Who had not been able to adjust to the new standards expected of them, not always to their own fault.

While carrying out what was expected of him, he had never been able to fully shake that feeling of unrest, that little rebellious voice in the back of his mind telling him he didn’t have to obey anyone. If he was going to follow anyone’s command, it was going to be on his own terms, for his own benefits, or to work towards a goal that he saw fit. Often, though, doing what his boss expected of him would in fact be to his own benefit, to improve his position or the level of trust existing between them. At other times he was painfully aware that to oppose him now would have disastrous consequences. It was the small space between those extremes in which he could act freely and carefully push his boundaries without anyone being the wiser. Unfortunately this approach was painfully slow, and his temper had caused him to slip up multiple times, leaving him with the persistent feeling that a level of full trust had not yet been reached.

Until now, it seemed.

His boss casually speaking of opposing the Empire in favour of working towards his own goals was a completely new development. All of this fixation on the bigger picture, this sense of loyalty he had tried to instil into Dai – what purpose had it served, when his mentor had such disregard for his own methods? Perhaps this is a test, it briefly went through his mind. A test of loyalty, to determine whether he would truly serve the Empire above all else and defy his superior for the greater good. Honestly, Dai wouldn’t have put it past them – but he felt like this was not the case here. There was something in his boss’s behaviour, his secretive tone, the look in his eyes when Dai had sided with him, that made him believe otherwise. And in that moment it hit him.

Alderyn was taking a risk.

He had taken a gamble on Dai: training him, pushing him to the limit just to see if he had what it takes – all of that, to eventually bring him here, pique his interest with a case he was certain to be invested in, and to speak of trust while making clear his intentions, all the while fully aware that he might have miscalculated and overplayed his hand. No wonder he looked nervous.

As Dai let these thoughts pass through his mind the both of them had been watching each other silently, faces not betraying anything – or at least, Dai hoped his hadn’t.

He gave his boss a single nod, an implicit sign of reciprocating his trust.

“Alright. So, what exactly is the plan here?”

Alderyn visibly relaxed.

“Take out the governor. Install someone I trust. The rest should fix itself.”

“What exactly are you planning to fix?” Dai asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Whatever my advisor tells me to.”

“Your advisor?”

“Yes. He’s a local expert, of sorts.”

“Do I know him?”

His boss let out an exasperated sigh, but behind it was a hint of a smile.

“It’s you. Come on now, I thought you were smart. Try to keep up.”

Dai nodded. Is this a promotion? he wondered. He shrugged off the thought.

“Alright, back to the plan. How will you take him out? How do you get in, and how will you find him?”

“I have been told my advisor knows the palace inside and out.”

“As long as the layout hasn’t changed, your information is correct.”

“Good. I’ve arranged some staff uniforms.”

“Oh, I will enjoy seeing you wear those,” Dai grinned.

“Save some of that excitement, I haven’t gotten to the best part yet.”

“And that is…?”

“He’s all yours. I feel like you’ve earned it.”

“This day is getting more interesting by the minute.”

Dai thought for a moment.

“One thing though: if you’re coming with me, won’t people recognise you? And if they do, wouldn’t it be better to stay far away from the palace for a bit? Plausible deniability and all that.”

Alderyn made a hand motion and before Dai could blink a demon with dark skin and fiery eyes sat across from him. Beneath his skin, glowing veins pulsed with a lava-like hue.

“That’ll do,” Dai nodded, trying to act unimpressed.

Illusion was an area in which he had much to learn. He simply lacked the patience for it. Perhaps he could arrange some tutoring, if he played his hand well today.

His boss placed a handful of coins on the table and got up.

“Let’s go.”

 The palace’s main corridor was as he remembered it, with the exception of the decorations on the walls. Like the outside, the interior was white. The pillars were painted in a warm ochre, and supported domed ceilings covered in mosaics. At the end of the corridor they ended up in the main hallway, with a big, ornamental staircase leading upwards. A tapestry depicting a map of Adas Quadir hung above it, as Dai remembered. However, it was now flanked by Empire banners on either side. He supposed he should be happy it was still hanging at all.

“He’s likely somewhere on the third floor,” Dai whispered, and gestured towards the stairs.

His boss nodded.

“Lead the way.”

They moved up, passing an official who was on the way down and barely paid them any mind. Servants were invisible, something Dai had made use of during many of his jobs. Also, he had found that surprisingly little people questioned whether you were even supposed to be in here as long as you just walked with purpose and held a serving tray, broom or other item haphazardly grabbed from the room. Of course, this only worked up to a certain level of security.

The council room, which was the closest on Dai’s list of possible locations, was empty. Good, since an ongoing meeting meant it would be difficult to catch him alone. Although, this approach wouldn’t be out of the question, since when Dai had asked why Alderyn even accompanied him when he would be the one finishing the job, he’d shrugged and said: “In case he’s got company.”

Their next option would be the governor’s work room, and his private quarters. If he won’t be in one of these locations, chances were he wasn’t home. They’d either have to wait for him here and risk being discovered, or somehow try to locate him elsewhere. Either way, it would complicate their plan and increase the risk of failure.

The door to the workroom was left slightly ajar, so Dai quietly opened it further and slipped inside. The room was located centrally in the building, with big windows that looked out over the courtyard. In front of those windows a figure sat behind a desk, silhouetted by the light falling in. He sat with his back to the door, bent over his work and hadn’t noticed their arrival yet. After glancing around to ascertain whether he was alone, Alderyn gave Dai a nod and stepped back into the hallway to stand guard.

So this was the guy responsible for ruining his home, Dai thought. With his delicate frame, he sure didn’t look like much. But appearances could be deceiving, he knew. Either way, he was in no hurry to let it be over soon.

The sound of the door closing finally made the governor look up.

“Who is this?” he demanded, pen still in hand.