“A request… for us?” Phon repeated, almost mocking Jaid’s declaration. “Well, in case you haven’t noticed, we’re a little incapacitated at the moment. And we have no way to contact the others either, so you’d likely have better luck reaching out to our office. But… you’ve come all the way out here, so we don’t want to reject you outright. We’ll at least hear you out, and if it’s somehow within our power, we’ll do what we can, I’m sure.”

“I’ve actually tried reaching out to your group on several occasions, and that’s part of the problem,” Jaid got a little ticked remembering past annoyances. “I don’t know how much you’re aware of, but the world has changed a lot in the past year.”

“For the past few months, the Fiends For Hire have stopped accepting any jobs, publicly, at least. Not since that radical group sieged Bisomote. And since then, there hasn’t been word from a single member, nothing, absolute silence. Fiend TV aired reruns for a while, and even Niloy’s blog went dark. The world thinks you’ve abandoned them.”

“But I know you all have been completing jobs anyways, but now in secret without any compensation. Your members have been spotted around the world, completely unconfined by the so-called siege. It’s all a ruse to think you’ve been defeated, but I can’t figure out the point.”

“And it’s not just the Fiends For Hire either… The Central Peace is just as mawhged up. I tried to organize a mission to re-secure Bisomote, if nothing more than to liberate the harassed citizens, but I was stopped at every turn. It was deemed a national issue of Segrevide, out of the CP’s jurisdiction. If they don’t take action, then the matter will never be addressed.”

“Then when I asked if I could go alone, I was informed that I’d be court-martialed if I intervened. Clearly someone above my authority wants them there, wants them to be interfering with your group, and they’ll buy them as much time and resources as they can provide.”

“And that’s only the tip of the issues with the CP of today. We’re no longer seen as the protectors of the world. Ever since Bastion, other militaries and everyday citizens criticize us as overstepping our reach, doing more harm than good, and that we have no honor in what we do. And I don’t blame them.”

“Far too many times now, our soldiers have been caught acting out of turn, overriding authority of other law enforcement, taking matters into their own hands, all because they’ve had their loyalty bought by some politician. That, and too many other incidents have warped the public’s perception of our organization. It’s gotten to the point that I can’t even trust the soldiers at my side, even as their leader.”

“It all came to a head for me when a man was crying out in the streets for someone to help him. His son had been forcibly inducted into the Red Eyes Gang after becoming a Lesser, and local law enforcement refused to intervene. But when we as the Central Peace offered our hand, he only panicked more, believing we’d just make things worse and kill his son if we found him.”

“That man ran away screaming, begging that the Fiends For Hire come and save his son, treating you all like some deity to pray to. And what’s more, I can’t say he was wrong to do so. We’ve lost all trust.”

“It wasn’t long after that, and a few more incidents like it, that I swallowed my pride and reached out to Tize directly. Without your group in the picture, it was like the world itself has been off balance. So I flat out asked him what was going on, why they’d stopped, and if they had any plans to resume taking jobs.”

“He told me that he was merely following his orders, and that while their compound remained under siege, all operations would remain on hiatus indefinitely. And that’s when I remembered the day at the tournament. Whatever you said to him that day, Drim, that none of us could hear. That’s why they’re taking their current stance.”

“So that’s what spurred the original idea to come see you. To ask that you change your order, for them to move past this issue, for things to get back on track. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was too late for that. It can never go back to how it was. The balance of powers is too far gone. Things have changed too much.”

“It all started that day, the attack on the Central Peace. None of us saw it coming, and we’ve still never fully concluded how or why, but it doesn’t really matter. Only one piece of information mattered, one undeniable fact. A Fiend had attacked the Central Peace Headquarters, broke into the most secure facility in the world, made it all the way down to the Representatives floor, and killed hundreds along the way.”

“After that, there was no going back. Those who distrusted Fiends or with anti-Fiend agendas pounced on it and never let go, using it as a catalyst to try and push forward new legislations and restrictions. There was even an attempted coup at one point, with a few Reps and their private soldiers taking over a few floors of CP headquarters, timed perfectly with The Warden’s disappearance. We solved that crisis, but the effects still linger.”

“And it wasn’t just the politicians. The tragedies caused a divide around the world. You’re either for Fiends or against them these days. And the worst among them with the strongest opinions have become radicals, forming their own group that wants to see all Fiends either regulated, locked up, or made extinct. To make matters worse, they’ve somehow gained power, and no one is holding them accountable. They’ve become their own militia, roaming the world and exercising their justice. They’re also the same ones in Bisomote.”

“But the worst thing they’ve done is the establishment of Fiend and Lesser internment camps, basically just prisons without any due cause or actual legal binding to hold someone there. And yet they get away with it. It’s not safe to be an unaffiliated Fiend anymore, or they’ll snatch you off the streets. If you’re not part of one of the major organizations, you’re at risk.”

“Many have flocked to your compound and safehouses, others have sought solitude at the Circus since they’re able to hold their own. A lot of Lessers joined the Red Eyes Gang, not out of criminal aspirations, but purely for their own protection. But that group has its own problems now. For whatever reason, they’ve mostly faded into the background, but that’s a concern for Tusmon.”

“And in the worst state for Fiend protection is our CP military, I’m ashamed to say. The divide tore apart our ranks. Many of our Lessers and a few Fiends have gone missing-in-action during missions. None of them have been murdered, as far as we can prove, but a few have wound up in the internment camps, claiming they were betrayed by their fellow soldiers.”

“This led a lot more to resign and leave the CP entirely, those that could anyways. Not everyone joined by choice, so not everyone could just up and leave with permission, though some have done so without it. I am one of the few remaining Fiends amongst our ranks. Or… I was.”

“The Central Peace has become an organization that I can no longer put my faith in. I always believed that they would lead the world to prosperity, that everything could be left in their hands. There’s still plenty of good soldiers and politicians, fighting for a better world every day. I truly believe that. But it’s no longer enough. Too many bad actors are working for selfish gains, steering the politics for their personal favor. And at this rate, I’m afraid they’ll win if they’re not stopped.”

“But if the biggest government in the world can no longer be trusted, can no longer be held accountable, then who can save us? I’ve thought about it endlessly, who I could rely on. Hell, I even thought about going against everything myself at one point, as a martyr, but that would be pointless.”

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“And after all my contemplation, I could only ever come up with one single answer. No matter how much I tried to find some other way, there was only one path forward. There was only one group I could put my faith in, who has caused real change in the world. Those who Rathe itself acknowledged the good they’ve done.”

“So maybe I misspoke earlier. My request is not for the Fiends For Hire, but rather, it is for the four of you specifically. It may sound impossible, unreasonable, but of anyone I know, only you can accomplish it… I ask that you save us from ourselves.”

Jaid took a few more steps forward and bowed her head. “Please, take over the world!”

Phon had been staring intently during Jaid’s long-winded rant, and paused a moment longer to see if she’d continue. “Pfuah, sheesh, and they say my monologues are bad,” The Vixen made light of the woman’s sincerity and rolled her head back with exasperation. “All those words and specifics for such a short and vague request. I suppose all that time around politicians has rubbed off on you.”

“But fine. Let’s say we were to entertain this ludicrous request. We don’t work for free, you know. And this would easily be the biggest job we’ve ever undertaken. So what would you offer us for completing such a task?”

“Anything I can give,” the knight was bold with her words. “You don’t want my money, and I doubt I have any possessions you’d want either. Well, possibly a few just to mess with me but… Either way, whatever it takes. The biggest thing I can offer is myself. My loyalty and dedication.”

“From the beginning, my plan was to rejoin the Fiends For Hire and assist however I could. Whatever you need me to do, however I can help to further this cause. That is, if you’d have me.”

“Hmph,” Phon’s head frumped forward this time, her ragged hair flowing in front of her face. It dangled there for a second before she lifted it back up, peeking through the strands. “You need to work on your sincerity, Jaid. I’ve spent a lot of time observing people, and I take pride in believing I can understand whether someone is zjiking me or not. You’re still clearly putting on a front, suppressing your emotions and the words you really want to say. That’s my intuition.”

“For all we know, this is just another scheme, some ploy to get the better of us. You have a bit of a history with that, as I’m sure you’re aware. So forgive us if we won’t believe your words so easily. We’ve even had a few others pledge their lives to us, so it’s not like that’s new or shocking either. And yet… despite all that… I believe you.”

“But it does raise a question. Why are you even negotiating with me to begin with? I’m not the one you need to convince. Last I checked, he was still in charge.” Phon nodded towards Drim’s cell.

“So go on then. Make your plea to him, and put a bit more heart into it this time. If you’re truly sincere with your request and your offer, then you should have absolutely no issue with pledging yourself to your new king. As a knight, you’d have an understanding of what that all entails.”

“What you really want then is for me to debase myself and my honor,” Jaid saw through the fluff. “But you’re right. I have resolved myself, and I’ll do what I must.”

The Prude Paladin walked directly in front of Drim’s cell. She got down on knee and drew her sword. The woman laid it out flat in front of her, bowed her head again, and then she began. “I, Jaid Luciri, humbly beseech my request to the Fiendish King. I’m pleading for the Fiends For Hire to take over the world—to stop those with corrupt designs, to get us back on track before it’s too late, and to to guide the world to a better future that only you can achieve.”

“I don’t make this request lightly. It has taken everything I have to accept this as the best course of action, to finally admit that I’ve been wrong all along. I’ve had to betray those who've come to rely on me, the friends I’ve made. And to even bring myself here, I had to betray myself and everything I’ve stood for.”

“It hasn’t been made public yet, but I’ve already surrendered my rank, been discharged from the Central Peace for the treason I’m about to commit. I’m fully dedicated to this both in body and mind. Please, let me rejoin your ranks, not as a pretender, but a full fledged member to use as you see fit. Let me be your sword to carry out your will!”

“There is no one else I can trust with this, no one else I could rely upon to see it done. You’re the only one capable enough to do this. I genuinely believe that now, and I was a fool not seeing it sooner, for judging you all based on my own misplaced distrust and prejudices. So please!”

Jaid looked up to Drim for an answer, but one never came. Instead, he merely continued to stare at her with his ragged eyes, as if he was staring right through her. There wasn’t a hint of trust or respect, as if it was a bother to even look in her direction. And why wouldn’t it be? After everything she’d done….

“I’m sorry, okay!” The knight dropped to both knees and slammed her head down to the floor, prostrating fully in front of the man she’d made into a prisoner. “I’m truly sorry! Is that what you want to hear?! Because I am! I didn’t know it was going to be like this… It wasn’t supposed to be like this! But that’s no excuse…”

“I had no idea what they were going to do with you all, but I still said the words. This was still my wish and mine alone. I shouldn’t have gone along with it, just stuck with the initial plan to force you all to join the CP, then maybe none of this would have happened. Or hell, if I wasn’t such a coward, I could have said a wish all my own. But I was still in denial back then.”

“All of this is my fault. I can’t even begin to imagine the torment you four have gone through this past year, but I will spend every day for the rest of my life trying to make up for it, to atone. Whatever it takes, whatever you want me to do, I will make this up to you, I swear.”

Tears had started streaking down Jaid’s face, and when she looked up again and saw the same blank disinterested face, she couldn’t hold it back any longer. Her eyes erupted, blinded completely by her tears. And even through that watery distortion, she still had to look away, unable to stare at him for any longer.

“Please, Drim! Damnit! I don’t know what else I can give! You know what, fine!” Jaid grabbed at the back of her head, ripping off the visor resting on her hair. She placed it on top of her sword and pushed both towards the cell. “This is it, the only things I have left that matter to me in this world. But if that’s what it takes, then take them!”

The knight paused, waiting for some sort of response, but was still only met with silence. Jaid tried to lift her head again to look at him, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do so. “Cosdamnit! What will it take?!” she slammed her fist into the floor. “Please, give me an answer! It’s okay to tell me no. If you want me to piss off, then I’ll piss off. Just say something, anything, please!”

“Oh, uhhh…” Phon interjected with the slightest twinge of guilt. “I should probably mention that Drim can’t give an answer. As in, he can’t talk, like, at all.”

“What? Really?!” Jaid looked up at him again. Drim finally stood up, revealing more properly the collar around his neck. He then walked up to the cell door and frowned.

“Yeah, there was this whole incident with our mother…” Phon briefly recalled. “We’ll get more into it later, but to prevent it from happening again, they performed some surgeries on him and added that collar. He can’t say a single word, and even if he could, the incident left him with a bit of trauma, so I don’t know that he could bring himself to do it.”

But Drim finally did give an answer in a way. He held out his hand flat and placed it against the clear cell door.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jaid was only confused.

“Err, what’s he doing,” his sister asked. “I can’t actually see him.”

“He put his hand against the door. Oh, and it started to glow”

“Oh, okay, I think I get it,” The Vixen deduced. “He wants you to place yours too—to quite literally offer your life.”

“I see,” Jaid didn’t even hesitate. She slipped out of her armored sleeve and placed her bare hand against the door. And then her hand started to glow as well, followed by what felt like a light prick as light flowed into the cell. Drim’s eyes lit up, bursting with energy, returned to their full burning glory.

“The pact is sealed!”

“Huh?” Jaid whipped her head back to Phon, a big smug grin on her face.

“Heh, I dunno, just sounded like something fun to say,” the woman laughed. “I haven’t really talked to anyone in quite a while. Hell, even miss Kada’s voice. But I’ll take that act as we’ve accepted your job. Jaid, we will take over the world.”