“So, what’s it going to be, my boy?”

“...” I grit my teeth, unable to do anything but hold up the Icebomb in a vain attempt to prove my leverage. But the Stranger just smirks and turns around. He ignores me. “Don’t move.”

“Or what?”

“I’ll blow it.”

“No you won’t.” The Stranger starts to walk away. “You care too much for the Demi’s. I know this girl is something special to you. Now I apologize if I’ve upset you, but the fact of the matter is, this is entirely on you. Echo came here of her own free will. She told me not to tell you her identity. Whatever your history at the Rainstopper Sect, I am not responsible.”

“You twisted her. Manipulated her to serve as your assassin.”

“Did I?” The Stranger stops for a second. “Ehh, I can’t deny that. I helped her along. But she was already halfway there herself. Someone trained her in Qi manipulation. If I had to guess, it was likely the Healer. What was her name again…Elina yes? It can’t have been the Raingoddess, considering you’re in line to become the next Raingod, they must still not have found her…”

“You…I see.” Internally, I grimace. The Stranger knows about my role in the Sect. He must have learned it all from Natalia. “So you’ve known all along. What do you want then? Why mess with me like this? Just to spite us?”

“Mess with you…?” He turns back around for a moment. “Is that how you see it?”

“The hell else am I supposed to see it?” I hiss. “Why do all this, take Natalia hostage, unless you wanted something?”

“Err…my boy, I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” the Stranger sighs. He walks back and holds up his hands. I raise the Icebomb and he stops, a few paces away. “Look Myrr, I like you…”

“The feeling’s not mutual.”

“Well that hurts. But understandable,” he pauses, collecting himself. Then he continues, “Listen to me. I am not trying to hurt you. Or mess with you. The only reason I am using Echo here, is because I don’t want you to do anything rash. Like blowing up that devilish Icebomb, or calling in the Rainstopper Sect. I have not lied to you. Well, not much anyway. My goal has not changed.”

“And what is that exactly?” I stare at him suspiciously. This time, I won’t be fooled by your lies.

“Taking down Selena. Turning this city around.” The Stranger shakes his head. “I regret how this has turned out between us. I hoped you would come with me during the palace assault, but I know you care deeply for your Demi’s. After your employee’s death…well, I am sorry. If there had been any other way, I would have wished to save her.”

“I could have saved her!”

“No…you couldn’t have. Not before Selena arrived.” He holds up a finger and chides me, “Myrr, my boy, still so idealistic. Sacrifices have to be made. Your Demi simply knew too much. If Selena learned the truth from her, if the assault tonight fails, it would have damned us all. Echo knew that. It’s regrettable, but she made the right choice-”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Screw your choices! Kisa never hurt anyone!”

“DIdn’t she? Didn’t she know what she was getting into working with us?” His words are insidious. And I suspect…perhaps a little true. “Look, that’s not the point, Myrr. What I’m trying to say, is that I am not your enemy. While you may hate me, I do not hold any grudge against you. After I am done tonight, I will endeavor to make Merekeep better for the Demi’s, just as that girl wanted. I promise you, the Higher Houses will no longer abuse their kind, and this city will return to its former glory.”

“You think…that will make up for her death? That I’d be…satisfied by that?”

“Mmm.” He blinks hearing the vitriol in my voice. Stepping back, he turns around once more. With his back to me, he sighs, “No, but I hope one day you see that I am not your enemy. However, I cannot have you calling in the Rainstopper Sect and ruining my plans. So until you learn who your real enemies are, I’m afraid Blink will be keeping a tight leash on Echo here. Don’t try anything foolish, Myrr. I don’t want to hurt you. But I will if I must.”

“You coward!” I hate him. But I can do nothing as he walks away. Blink simply stands in my way, with his scimitar cutting into Natalia’s throat. Helpless, I can only watch as the Stranger snaps his fingers and gathers his men. They file into the sewer mouth, occasionally gazing back at my useless Icebomb. Briefly, I consider detonating, but after what they’ve told me, it seems, I would only hurt myself and Natalia. “Damnit, let her go!”

“I will, once you’ve calmed down.” The Stranger replies one last time before he himself steps into the sewers. “Blink, hold him here. If he tries to follow…well, you know what to do.”

“You got it, Boss!” Blink’s frowning mask watches me, but I can tell he’s smiling. He enjoys being in control. “Sorry, kid. Guess it’s just you and me tonight.”

“...” I’m at a loss as the Stranger leaves. Blink defensively holds Natalia before me, his scimitar ready to sever my sister’s life at the slightest movement from me. Damnit…if only Meera was here. Maybe she could do something, distract him. But I chased her away. Though I look around for anything in the surroundings that might give me a chance, I find nothing and Blink only threateningly tightens his grip on his sword. Come on…there has to be some way out of this…

“Give it up, kid.” Blink cracks his neck. “You’ve lost. There’s no shame in it. And quite frankly, Shadow really does like you. And your misguided friend here-” He gives Natalia another shake. “-Just sit tight. In a little bit, this will all be over. Selena dies. The Upper Houses will kneel or follow her to the grave. And then we win. You AND your Demi’s! I talked to Shadow about it. He’s serious about helping them. Those slavers…they’ll get what’s coming to them.”

“Why are you helping him?” I dig around. Trying to see if I can turn Blink against his boss. “What’s in it for you?”

“Nice try, kid,” Blink laughs, still holding Natalia. “I see what you’re doing. But you know, I’ll humor you. We’ve got all night to talk. Why don’t you dispel that little Icebomb of yours and we can chat. Get to know each other?”

…

…

…

“Fine.”

At this point, the Icebomb is just wasting my mana. We both know I won’t blow it. Not with Natalia so close. Though I’m a little worried Blink might just rush me, I should be able to defend myself one-on-one if it comes to that…I hope. He relaxes as the misty white vapors dissipate from my hand and the shimmering white orb fades away.

“Much better.” Blink lowers his scimitar on Natalia’s neck, seeing my spell cancel. “Now then, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you the truth at this point-”

*Schwip*

“Now!”

A glinting white dagger flies through the sky and slices into Blink’s hand. It cuts through his relaxed defenses like tissue paper. He drops Natalia as someone in black rushes him from the side. My eyes flutter in surprise. Neither of us was expecting this. I also charge forwards, chanting magic silently, as the knife-thrower joins me from the shadows. Meera? You came back!

“Huh?” I falter as I see who it is. A girl in a peach white dress dashes into the light. “Jasselryia?”