“That’s not true! You’re lying!” Tears well up in Sila’s eyes, and I sigh, not wanting to see her cry. It reminds me too much of Natalia. “Jasi wouldn’t kill people! He protected us! Always…he made sure we were okay first…”

“-Hehe, I said it before, girl and I’ll say it again. Jasi was trying to sneak you out of the city. Well, the gates upstairs are watched by the Omniscient Guard. So he took you to hell. Down here…in the undercanals, salvation lies across the river. If you can get across, you’re free. But as you just saw, the price of passage here is steep.” The Stranger runs his fingers over the links of the black necklace, dangling it mockingly in front of Sila’s face. “Children never understand the sacrifices adults make. A life for a life…demon or angel…everyone takes from each other. We must all sin. It’s a choice and you should learn this lesson soon-”

“Enough!” Meera interrupts the Stranger. She goes over and puts herself between him and Sila. Turning, she pats Sila’s shoulder, and wipes the girl’s wet cheeks. “Don’t listen to this prick. You knew Jasi best. Whatever anyone else says, it doesn’t matter. Here…why don’t you go over to my boss now. His name’s, Myrr. He knows fire magic. It’s really cool, he can help you dry off. Right, Boss?”

Huh…Meera’s taking care of the kids?

“I…yea, I can do that.” Sniffing the air, I realize the stench of gas is gone. I snap my fingers and make a merry flame appear over my finger, “Come here. Let’s get you warmed up, Sila. Bring your friends.”

“O-Okay.”

*Tssss*

Little puffs of steam appear as I help dry the Demi’s clothes. The unconscious one, Jinta, stirs as the flame tickles his sodden rags, and I check his pulse. He’ll wake up soon. Just a bit too much excitement for a kid I guess.

*Crunch*

Suddenly, the boat runs out of water. The pipe we’re in slopes upwards, with brilliant light bones guiding the way like a starry night sky. Quietly, we all leave the boat. Meera and I help the kids out. To my surprise, the Stranger does not say anything about how they’re slowing us down, and neither does Echo. We file up through the twists and turns. The entire time, our leader does not check a map. He just directs and we follow. Finally, we arrive back at the place we started. The bottom of a long ramp. All the water has gone. Drained away, so now it’s just dark brick, bone, and metal floor. But I recognize this place. This is where we split up when Jasi jumped. Now that I think about it, why did he show himself? We didn’t even know what floor he was on. Unless…was he trying to keep us from finding the kids? The Stranger said we’d flush him out by finding his companions. Which means…he knew Jasi was helping kids…and hunted him down anyways. But why? I don’t get it. Killing the Ferry-Rat didn’t do anything. Except give us Jasi’s necklace. The Stranger said he didn’t want the Omniscient Guard to catch him. But he was just a sewer engineer. What information could he possibly have had that was so important?

*Whoosh*

A brief gust of wind tugs at my clothes. And then there’s someone else besides us. Blink, the Stranger’s henchman, with his two wicked scimitars on his back, appears on the ramp. He flickers next to the Stranger and they nod at each other. Quietly, they step close so no one else can hear them, and exchange whispers. From time to time, I see them glance at Meera and I. When they’re done, the Stranger leads us up the ramp and we begin to climb. As we go, I notice something strange. We’re alone.

“Where’d all your men go?”

“Noticed that did you, my boy?” the Stranger laughs, suddenly he seems to be in a good mood. “It seems that some things…have changed. Up on the surface. A golden opportunity has fallen right into our hands. My men are already preparing. It all changes tonight, Myrr. Our moment of victory nears! Come…let’s get back to the shop. I’ll explain everything there.”

“What did Blink tell you?” I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. Am I…forgetting something?

“All in good time. First, a cup of wine! Let us celebrate before the feast, my boy!”

“Sure…”

The rest of the trip back up the ramp is a bit of a blur. Meera and I end up carrying the tired Demi-children so we can go faster. To my surprise, Blink sees us struggling to handle three kids and offers to take one of them off our hands. I accept, and he lifts Jinta with one arm before shooting out of the undercanals. Within minutes, we end up back at the tunnel mouth, passing through the curtain of water. Outside, the foul stench which I’ve grown accustomed to, begins to fade, and the stars wink down at us. We’re back…finally.

“Myrr…before we leave, a favor please.” the Stranger beckons me over. He looks over his shoulder at the little waterfall covering the dark storm drain entrance. “Could you make me an Icebomb? Preferably a big one?”

“Why?”

“Well, you see, our little Witch down there…she’s grown a bit too big. I want to chop her down to size. Prune the hedges so to speak.”

“Didn’t you promise her you’d go back and feed her?” I remember the conversation they had now. “Won’t she come find you if you break your word?”

“Well, you see...” the Stranger rubs the back of his neck and holds out his hand to me. “I found a spot with a lot of gas down there. A man of your talents…if you didn’t hold back, I’d imagine you’d be able to set off a good amount of it. That way Issel will be too busy finding her limbs, to bother anyone. Assuming she even survives. What do you think? Not a bad idea huh?”

“I suppose I could…but…” I squint at him. “You’d really break your promise to her?”

“Hehe, I promised to feed her.” He tilts his smiling mask dangerously. “I never said what. Or when. It’s just a root of Issel. I’d never try this with Lissandrei or Jissata for example. But the Flesh Witch barely has any of her soul left. Not much of a thinker. It’s not my fault she doesn’t know who she’s dealing with. Now, my boy…are you going to help me or not?”

So much for never breaking his word. This guy…doesn’t even understand the meaning of guilt. To be fair…I probably wouldn’t feel bad tricking a Witch, either. But is it really so simple? How did he learn so much about them? I need to find out…for Glacia’s sake at the very least.

“Whatever. If you want to screw over Issel, that’s fine by me. But I expect answers when we get to the shop. I want to know how you know so much about Witches. And everything you know about Lissandrei, the Ice Witch in particular. Here-”

[Muddy Stone of My Endurance, Move Forth-Meld]

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

[Frozen Water of My Soul, Come Forth-Chill]

An insanely powerful, compact Icebomb swirls into existence in my palm.

“It’ll blow in half an hour.” I tell him while offering the perfectly round blue-white orb. “I didn’t hold back.”

“Perfect.”

The Stranger plucks the Icebomb from my hands. He blurs away for a few long seconds. I catch his black cloak streaking under the waterfall and then he’s gone. After a minute or two, inside the storm drain, he returns. Without the Icebomb. Dusting his gloves together, the Stranger puts his hand over my shoulder as we go to rejoin the others.

“Myrr, my boy, I really do like you. Despite your love of the Demi’s, you ended up finding the Ferry-Rat first. You’ve proven yourself today. Tell me, how would you like to rule this city? We’ll be toppling Selena soon, and I’ll need someone trustworthy to help manage it. We could be partners…” The Stranger drones on and on, a bunch of jokes and happy words. He really seems to be overjoyed, but I’m tired and my head hurts too much to really listen. In my mind, I keep seeing the Flesh Witch’s corpse arms coming down on the boat. Hearing Sila’s painful screams as Jasi’s rotting body mocked us. My hands feel guilty. They still remember the feeling of the wind curling under my fingers. Gust. A spell meant for escaping…alone. I wasn’t going to run. I wanted to stop Issel. It’s just…the gas…and such an overpowered enemy…if we’d fought on the surface, it would have been different! I…was handicapped. It’s not like these kids are even my responsibility anyways. I’m very specific with my words. I told Teheer and Jero to recruit faster…not recruit children. I don’t owe these kids anything…

Slung over Meera’s shoulder, Sila’s bloodshot raccoon eyes follow me as I walk with the Stranger. I don’t even think she’s really looking at me. But still, her gaze feels like an accusation. Okay, OKAY! Will you stop looking at me like that? Ugh…fine, how about we have Kisa and Nya look after you all until this is all over. Hold on, what am I thinking? I’m not running an orphanage. The shop’s barely big enough as is, I can’t fit three more kids! Damn it, Jasi. This is your fault! Why’d you have to go and tell me the truth, huh? Don’t try to put this on me! I might be the boss but I can’t control everything my underlings do! Damn…damnit! We were supposed to be helping Demi’s not making more orphans-

[Do you understand it now?

The endless burden of being in charge?

It’s enough to drive you mad…

Forever…and ever…]

“My boy, are you alright?” the Stranger taps my shoulder and I blink.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

“I was asking if you wanted to make some laws. To protect the Demi’s. You care about them, right? Once we rule this place, you can change things. It’s one of the perks of being Lord. What do you say we make a new set of laws? Maybe free the slaves? Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Huh? Yea…sure. Whatever you say, Stranger.” I tell him. However, inside, I’m thinking about other things. Oddly enough, it feels like someone is screaming at me. But I can barely hear them. Everything’s all murky. My head hurts. I need something, anything to think about except Sila’s sharp eyes and Issel’s rotting face.

I don’t care about ruling this city.

I’m not here to take it over.

I’m here to burn Merekeep to the ground.

[Truthseeker, dreams are a dangerous thing.]

And…afterwards…there’s only one thing I plan to do-

Bring Natalia here to meet Kisa and Nya.

We’re going to live in peace atop our enemy’s ashes.

[Don’t chase them too long!]

She’s going to have the ultimate revenge.

The happiest life.

[Sleep not too deep!]

I’ll let these Demi kids stay too.

Natalia will have lots of siblings to play with.

Maybe she’ll even learn to get along with Meera one day.

[Wake up before it’s too late!]

Elina can help me make cheese and wine…

Perideen will find Mark and Romy.

Hehe…I wonder if Glacia would come if I asked her?

She might if I tell her these kids need a tutor.

[You have to let go!]

We could be like…a family.

The weirdest, most dangerous family ever.

Full of assassins, terrorists, and mages.

I know it sounds strange but…

To me, that sounds like home.

[Don’t turn down the wrong path…

Not like we did.]

…

…

#

“There’s the shop.” I murmur tiredly to Meera. She’s leading the three Demi-kids by hand so they don’t get lost. After the long walk back, I’m exhausted. Cold to the bone. Ready for a hot shower and bed. But the Stranger promised me answers. I intend to get them. Looking over, I see the man in question talking to Echo and Blink. I call out to him, “You’re coming in, right?”

“Echo, take care of it.” the Stranger orders his underlings. “Blink, ready the men.” Echo turns on a dime once she’s dismissed. For a split second, the dark, expressionless eyeholes of her blank mask stare at me. I shiver, feeling like I’m staring at the grim reaper. Meera notices and puts her hand on her sleeve, doubtless reaching for a weapon. However, after a moment, the Stranger’s lieutenant just steps away and disappears. Gone like a ghost. When she leaves, Blink tips his head at us and then also dashes away.

“What was that about?” Meera mutters. She walks over and pokes at the Stranger who gracefully steps away. “Where’re they going?”

“Events are moving quickly,” he replies. “While I explain things to you, there are many things that need to be dealt with. Echo and Blink have…other responsibilities. Come, let’s go inside. These Demi-children need rest.”

“...you’re hiding something from us, again.” Meera isn’t satisfied. She stares deeply at the Stranger and then at me. “Boss, you really okay with this? He’s acting funny! Something’s wrong here!”

“Please, please!” the Stranger laughs. “Meera, I’m about to explain everything to you. But first, let’s go inside. Have some cheese and wine. Talk like civilized people. Gods, that sewer was an eyesore. You have no idea, the beauty of the opportunity in front of us! It’s all thanks to your hard work. Just come inside-”

“You…what are you hiding from us?” Meera’s eye widens more and more behind her mask. She backs away from the Stranger. “Boss, listen to him! Something’s definitely wrong-”

“Meera…relax. Let’s just go inside.” I sigh. Always fighting with each other. Give it a rest already. “He’s already promised us answers. You’re just wasting time.”

“B-But! He used my real name-!”

“Enough.” I growl. Yanking her towards me, I go to the shop door. Reaching into my pocket for the key, I don’t expect the door to open. A small shape barrels out, smashing into my hip with surprising force-

*Wham*

“Maaaaster!” A small furry Demi-Cat streaks out. Her tawny eyes are desperate, searching for something as she wraps her hands around my waist. I’m pressed into a wet, sobbing hug. Nya darts her head about, looking at each of the people outside the shop in turn. Her eyes grow more frantic as she takes in me…then Meera…the Demi’s hiding behind her…and finally the Stranger. At the end, she gasps, “N-No…she’s…she’s not with you?”

“Nya? What’s going on? Is everything alright?” I peek into the open door frame to find it dark inside. “Where’s your sister?”

…

No answer. Just more tears. Nya buries her face in my coat. I can feel her sobbing into my stomach.

*Hic*

*Hic*

…

“Nya, calm down. It’s okay. Where is Kisa? Why are you all alone?”

…

“…S-She…never came back.”