NEZHA

Two hours later the army came in.

But not in the amazing way books are described. It was just one car with two soldiers and two other men.

One of them was far too short for his age with one well-dressed mustache and one tall man with a cane and a helm to cover his entire face.

Surprisingly, the short man with the name Thoth asked us questions. What happened? How did Stolas die? What happened to the artifacts needed for shipping?

And we simply answered. There was a problem with the machine. We replied showing the metal monster parts. It killed everyone in the room and Stolas and made the hole disappear.

‘’So there is nothing?’’ Thoth asked disappointedly and returned to the car, giving up. ‘’Let’s go’’

The other man raised his two fingers and looked at the building. Then the lifeless body, then the machine. And then all of us.

‘’Who is going to run the business now?’’He asked curiously.

I swallowed and turned to Ao Bing who was holding a letter. Surprisingly every establishment Stolas had was now in Mammon's possession as he wrote with his gentle handwriting. Meaning Ao Bing printed it by himself.

He and Dolia were the ones who called the army too as she kept holding him by his entire body. Her legs were almost ready to give up but Arsu jumped to the opposite side. Ao Bing murmured a gratitude but Arsu rolled his eyes slowly.

‘’Interesting ‘’The man’s soothing voice said and turned to the machine. ‘’These parts are…’’

‘’The remaining ones’’I said and turned to Mara who was surprisingly silent.

‘’No rocks?’’

I shook a no. He looked at me for a second. And then, the man tilted his head to Mara. ‘’Talk.’’

Her eyes darted and walked back. ‘’No rocks’’She repeated.

The man let out a tired sigh and fixed his clean suit before walking away disappointed. He stopped suddenly and turned back to us, throwing to me a sack with Ike's. There was a heavy clicking sound from the sack and when I opened it I lost count. There were surely more than a thousand golden coins there.

‘’For your trouble’’ He said before walking back inside to the car.

A smile curved as those men were now gone and looking back, I saw Mara taking deep breaths.

‘’What’s the matter?’’ I asked.

‘’I do not like him.’’She panted. ‘’Something is wrong with…’’

‘’Well’’I looked up and kept looking at the car, which was slowly moving far from us. ‘’You won’t ever see him again so don’t worry.’’

Petbe moved on our side, cowardly as she wiped out tears, watching the women with their empty gazes escaping the building. Their lips parting open, muttering their greed, muttering how broken they are...

''Will they be alright?''She asked.

Arsu moved to her and smiled. I tried to lie too with a grin. And then, Mara spoke.

''No.''

Petbe's colors darkened.

I glared at her.''You don't know.''

''Nothing can cure a loose mind.''Her lashes fell lower on her eyes.Her fingers clung on my fabric.''Not even incantation or Spirits themselves.''

I pulled away immediately as I heard her empty voice.

Ao Bing Left with Dolia by his side. They both smiled at us and we never saw them again. Did they find a corner to perish? Did they run away together to the sun? We would never know.

We were all ready to leave but then I took one more look at the building waiting for Minerva to appear. When everyone was gone, probably an hour passed or two. Then Mara appeared back at me.

I didn’t even try to look back. I just could feel cold. And how fear grew so easily on me now.

Pathetic little girl. Are you going to kill me too? Did I actually ever know you? Did I have to protect you like I did?

I finally turned back and walked away, ignoring her eyes completely. Whatever happened to Minerva it was something that I never learnt.

The day passed with us giving stitches to one another. Well, Mara did not seem to need it anymore. How could she? A creature like that staying in the world, in this world that…

And then, everything snapped. Based on the letters, all the documents that Stolas had signed seemed that he had given with his own will all his work to Mammon. Thus the communication building and all the money and the remaining workers.

He called all four of us to his now old office with Lilith standing next to him. Her red lips perked as she watched me walk inside. I tried to find a way to get out, to hide my heartbeat, to find anything that made me invisible. And then Mara whispered to me.

‘’I never blamed you.’’

‘’So ‘’Mammon pressed his lips to a thin line and showed us the documents and contract made by him and Stolas. ‘’Will you tell me what is going on?’’

And we told him the truth. Ao Bing managed to create them as he worked there. We did not say anything that he actually tried to get us out.

‘’The people?’’ Lilith’s fingers found her lips.

‘’You will find them easy corners, asking for help,’’ I said, regretting everything about it. But I suggest you will change the supplies.’’

‘’You suggest’’Lilith laughed and turned to Mammon who looked at the papers with disbelief.

‘’Ao Bing?’’ He asked.

‘’He died.’’Petbe was the one to speak now. He was still seeing her as someone naive, someone honest so we all agreed that she was the right person to answer that question.

Mammon nodded and sighed with relief turning to the papers.

‘’Does It matter now?’’ Lilith grinned, leaning toward him. ‘’You have everything now, you are a king here.’’ She backed away and ran in front of his desk.

Two men walked inside the room with heavy makeup to cover their owl tattoos.

‘’And I assume you want a share?’’ Mammon asked her confused.

‘’I would love to continue our partnership. ‘’Her head almost trembled and turned her gaze back at me.

‘’Perhaps’’Mammon stood up and turned Lilith’s left cheek bright red with his bare hand.

Everyone stood shocked as it happened. Even Lilith.

‘’What?’’ Her voice panicked.

‘’You see… I paid a visit to the center’’He pressed his hands together and then lowered his gaze to one of the papers. ‘’It seems that you are not the only one who had a communication with Stolas.’’

‘’What are you talking about?’’ There was a shake in her voice.

He moved the paper closer to her and grabbed it reading it out loud.

Contract of partnership with Ars Goetia and the Garden.

Both of them signed.

I held my breath and faced the tense Lilith. Her porcelain complexion started cracking.

‘’It must be a trick’’ Lilith laughed.

‘’Your girls were the ones mostly missing. ‘’Mammon shrugged. ‘’Maybe it was your way to send your package to him.’’

Lith laughed again and her fingers found his knuckles. ‘’Mammon, it was probably Ao Bing, you know how much…’’

‘’I know how much you wanted our partnership to end’’Mammon stood on his own two feet. ‘’I know how much you want my assets and I know you. I know how much you want to stay at the top.’’

‘’Do you blame me?’’ She whispered and then she cried, regretting her own words. ‘’Mammon I would never do that, please you have to believe me.’’

Mammon’s cold gaze turned to Mara. Lilith looked at her too, waiting for something to say.

She took one deep breath and scratched her scar.

‘’She is lying.’’

Lilith’s eyes opened wide and she held her bark. ‘’Mammon she clearly wants you to fail.’’

He did not speak as he jerked his head to the men and walked to her side slowly.

She knew how it would go. Every Time she saw people, girls, and boys grabbed by people like them to get to her building. She knew what would happen.

Her eyes darkened and right out from her dress a dagger appeared.

‘’Not after everything’’She screamed with one breath far from Mammon’s death.

That would be it. I thought. She would kill him, I would be free. My debt would be complete. And yet, she will take everything. I would be trapped again in her sharp nails in her red lips.

For one life I would be free until another one would take me.

There was a scream. But it was not Mammon’s. Blood fell to the floor and it was not his. But Mara’s as the dagger stabbed right at her palm.

‘’Get away from…’’She rasped.

Lilith gasped. Even Mammon was stunned, watching the little girl taking a stab from him. After everything he had done to her.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Lilith drew back and shook a giant no.

‘’Is this enough proof?’’ Mammon asked her, resting his hand on Mara's trembling shoulder. ‘’That who is on my side?’’

‘’It’s a trick’’ She cried again.

Mara turned to her and then to Mammon as she fell on her knees. ‘'I am sorry.'' She shook.

Mammon looked down on her as for a split second a grin curved on his mouth. Looking back at Lilith her eyes slowly made tears fall on her face.

WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON.

In the end, Lilith was dragged away by the men and was dragged away. I never saw her again or anyone else. And when she was leaving I could see that pleading look on her face with her curls sticking on the top of her head. And I was just smiling back.

After that, Mammon told me that my debt was complete.

‘’What?’’ I gasped and then gave me one more letter of recommendation for the army.

I still kept looking at the letter with complete shock. My mind was racing, my heart did not know if it could explode or sink.

Mammon unlocked my collar and I kept thinking where the trap was. A memory of Stolas’ words flashed to me.

When you are in the trop you will surely realize how easy finding replacement assets are.

He wanted a new start.

‘’Is Arsu's debt…’’

‘’It none of your concern.’’ That meant yes.

‘’Petbe's?’’

‘’Oh, so you know the truth .’’ That also meant yes.

‘’Mara’s?’’

He stopped working and looked at me.

NO.

‘’You know what she is..don’t you?’’He asked me, confused.

I nodded.

‘’A half-demon in the sun…’’He gasped. ‘’She wouldn’t survive.’’His frown became even deeper. ‘’I am doing her a favor.’’

You will kill her.

‘’What side is talking about right now?’’ I asked. ‘’Your prestigious religion? Or your fear?’’

Mammon's eyes burned with anger.

‘’Do not forget..’’He spat his words.

‘’I am free’’I laughed. ‘’You cannot do anything to me.’’

‘’And yet I can do everything I want to the Kosana.’’ He barked. ‘’So say thank you, to me, to the Spirits, and go leave your dream before you will listen to her last screams.’’

Why would I care if she died or not? Did I still have guilt on my chest? I shouldn't. And yet…

Mammon's brow twitched and he took a deep breath.’’I found her and saw what she is, I saw what she could do.’’There was a smile curved upon him.’’Such an ugly thing isn’t she? But I could not just burn her now.’’

I gulped as Mammon’s words became even harsher.

‘’Why?’’I asked him confused. He replied with a soft chuckle. But it did not seem charming or appealing. It almost felt monstrous.

‘’She was crying.’’Mammon sighed and pushed himself back.’’A monster doesn’t cry. She was just a girl. But she still was something.’’

My shoulders tensed. Mammon was speaking once again as Mara was…he was speaking so sincerely about her.

‘’Spirits punished me here but maybe, maybe punishing the monster.’’

‘’What?’’That was the only thing my head thought to say.

‘’But for the monster to be punished,’’ One more deep breath and there it was. His twisted smile.’’The girl must be gone isn’t that right?’’

I gritted my teeth as my hands slammed his desk. ‘’So you are treating her like that because-’’

All this time he was hurting her, talking to her, playing with her for what? A sign of devotion? Was that what he was thinking when he was hurting all of us? As a kind of monster? No, it was different. Because he still let her stay. He still…

‘’It won’t work’’I fixed my posture.’’She won’t die.’’

‘’Oh but she is dying’’laughed Mammon.’’You saw it, didn’t you?’’

I held my breath as Mammon now giggled, then laughed and laughed hysterically. Just like when Mara was laughing back at Ars Goetia.

‘’You saw it’’He hissed.’’You saw it and you are afraid of her.’’His eyes were drunk with insanity.

‘’I am not-’’ I spat childishly but it was all a lie. Why was so terrified of her?

‘’Then,’’ Mammon tilted his head to the right.’’I will give you a choice. Take her with you. Or take your mother.’’

My eyes snapped.

‘’If you choose the girl, I am not going after you, I am not going to kill you or her. What will you choose?’’

What will I…

I thanked him with a painful smile and walked away.

I saw Mara talking to a weeping little girl, asking about her brother. But she replied with one fake smile just like…

Mara patted the top of the girl’s head, lying to her that everything would be alright. And after that, she told the rest of the children that everything will be fine. When they were gone, she turned on me and waved at me with an empty gaze. I replied shakily back and passed right through her before stopping.

She is trapped here. She is punishing herself because she knows what will happen if she goes out. And then.

‘’Tell me something.’’I turned to her as we were far away from Mammon’s door. She looked at me back.

‘’How long?’’

Mara’s eyes opened wide and looked around.

''What are you talking about now?'' She frowned.

''How long were you planning to hide your plan from us?''

Her eyes grew wider like a doll's. In the end, she shrugged and gave up. ‘’You took a while.’’

‘’You planned it all, you’’I gasped. ‘’It was you from the beginning.’’

‘’Well,’’ She stretched her arms. ‘’Not from the beginning.’’She explained gently.

‘’What?’’

‘’I thought that you were going to be a smart general.’’

I lowered my head, looking at her dead gaze and I started thinking of what happened.

‘’How long have you known that Stolas was the one to blame?’’

‘’From the beginning. ‘’

My mind was struck with a strong wave of energy.

‘’What do you…’’ And then, her voice, her tone, shifted, changed completely, and I wanted to scream.

‘’I have heard…’’She said with that pitch Mammon had.’’That monster Wendigo is terrorizing establishments. How long will it take to come here?’’

‘’Not long enough’’ That was Mara’s tone.

‘’Shame…’’Mammon’s tone.’’I suppose that Stolas always wanted everything’’ There was disgust.

‘’Stop it’’I gasped. I could not hear that tone from her. Not from her. I would not be afraid of her.

‘’And Lilith is draining me dry…not long enough’’Mara frowned. ‘’How do you think I can stop them?’’

‘’Send someone to the beast cage’’Mara’s tone changed and then smiled.’’Oh, who are you suggesting?’’

Mara stopped talking.

Nezha was her answer. Everything returned when I was spying on them. That was their conversation. But Mammon chose Ao Bing. Because Mara knew that he would do the opposite she would say.

‘’I knew that there was something wrong, I knew that Stolas was hiding something and took advantage of it the moment Dolia went to the Garden.’’

‘’Dolia?’’

Pests are always the ones that will get you.

‘’You worked for Ao Bing?’’ I said and I regretted it.

‘’Ao Bing worked with me,’’

The plan that he muttered all the time. The plan, the plan.

‘’He had doubts of course.’’Mara sighed. ‘’He always underestimates me.’’

‘’Did you plan for Azzizos to die? Minerva to go missing?’’ I held my fear.

Mara’s mouth frowned. ‘’Casualties.’’

My face twitched.‘’Casualties, they were your…’’

No emotion. She was not human.

That’s why I wanted to be a soldier, right? To protect people from monsters like warlocks like Mammon like…

‘’Lilith?’’ I said after. ‘’Did she actually have contact with Stolas?’’

‘’Well, based on Lilith’s phone she did talk towards Stolas’ office…’’

‘’But it was Dolia and Ao Bing’’I realized, breathless.

‘’They had to find a way to talk after all.’’There was a hidden smile between her scars.

‘’The drug?’’Next question.

She stretched her neck and showed me a now really small red stone. The one that I gave her the previous week.’’That was when it actually hit.’’She laughed without humor. ‘’The plan was to take out Lilith and Stolas and then…what if I could do something more? Something bigger?’’

A spark of madness showered her eyes.''Just a small candlelight could make his mind blur''She said.

She drugged Mammon. I thought. She made sure to mess with a few papers. And he suspected her of drugging him with something else. She did not drug him with Minerva's drug. She did it with Stolas'

‘’But why?’’ I asked her. ‘’I understand Lilith, I am glad you found a way, Stolas was insane but why are you helping Mammon? Why did you do it?’’

‘’They were on the way’’She flew her hand into the air.

‘’On the way of what?’’I could feel my voice breaking. ‘’Mara, what is your plan?’’

It finally hit. Mammon was on top the way Stolas was. She took opportunities and used them to the very deep. She made Ao Bing fake the contracts and probably she found a way to make his finances too, blaming it on Lilith. And she made Stolas fall for Mammon to rise but why?

Because she saw Stolas’ expression when he fell was everything that she was craving, desiring. For the mighty to fall, to see their dreams crushed. What fun would it be for her to see a mere businessman cry and not a king?

My mind changed that night. That was not the little girl I saw back then. That was not a little girl I was facing. She was cruel and yet smart. The way she talked sounded as if she was a soldier or a general, a Spirit, or even a ruler. She knew the risks and she still did it. She knew that it would happen, the consequences, and yet.

She was worse than Mammon because none saw it coming from her. She was worse than Stolas because she knew exactly who would risk and they were not just numbers. And worse than Lilith because she did not have her charms. She would do anything brutal on her own.

And yet, she was the one who could make them fall and beg for mercy.

I looked at her dark eyes and smiled at her deviously. She was a real monster.

Take her with me? So you won’t get punished by judgment?

‘’Get him to pay.’’I said.’’Get him pay and get out of here.’’

her eyes opened up and she started laughing bitterly before facing me once more. ‘’For what reason?’’

Her floor is hers to destroy.

‘’Because when you will get out, I will be the first one to put you to the flames.’’

That seemed to excite her even more.

‘’That would be an interesting meeting then.’’She said, giving me back the chain of her necklace. ‘’Let’s meet again.’’

I walked right to the home to take the things, to tell Mom about everything. That dark building. The dark house that I haven’t seen since…Why should I help someone who didn’t want to be helped?