Although grandpa Stalwart had just arrived to save the day, Raiya couldn’t feel but dread this new development.

“What are you doing here Theo?” she asked after the High Priest had run for help.

“I’m saving what you couldn’t,” he replied. He was walking around the clearing, inspecting the damage dealt on the tree house. “I didn’t allow you to use this vessel to get it destroyed,” Theo went on. “If I hadn’t overruled your shut down, my grandson would’ve died in there.”

That was a sudden development Raiya didn’t expect, or rather, hoped would never happen. Hope was the first step toward damnation. You don’t hope for things to go the way you want them to. You make damn sure they don’t happen. Work hard, betray friends, step on others on your way to glory, if you’re not prepared to do so then forget about it. Live a normal life where your choices wouldn’t haunt you until the last of your days.

“You didn’t think I’d notice?” Stalwart asked. “His blood may be stained, foul, but he’s family after all. What did you hope to achieve by hiding him?”

Raiya didn’t answer, couldn’t.

“You’re not making your situation any better,” Stalwart said.

“Why would you bother with a child you don’t even love, or care about?” Raiya asked.

“Because he’s family,” Theo answered.

“Family?” Raiya asked. “Who would target his own family? His father’s dead! The child shouldn’t be punished for his father’s sins!”

To this, Theolonius remained silent for a while. He seemed to be mulling over the warlock’s words.

“Let’s put this to the test, shall we?” he asked.

“DON’T YOU DARE YOU SNIVELING FAILURE OF A LORD!” Raiya was suddenly on her feet, advancing toward the wizard.

Theo’s lips curled into a fatherly smile. He didn’t look offended by the warlock’s outburst. On the contrary, it amused him.

“The child shouldn’t be punished for his father’s sins,” Theo repeated the warlock’s words then started chuckling. “I’m not punishing the child for his father’s sins. His father’s never done anything to offend me.”

“You lie!” she said. “You know as much as I do, that he’s had a pact with the beast.”

“The pact is irrelevant,” Theo said. “The boy caused his parent’s death. He brought shame to our family.”

“And he must die for that?!” Raiya asked. Her throat was dry now, she couldn’t stand the sight of the man before her.

“Oh no, I wouldn’t kill him for that, no no no,” Theo said. “I’ll teach him a lesson he’ll never forget. No one dares to bring shame to our family name like that.”

“Then you should’ve helped!” Raiya snapped. “Why didn’t you help when your own son was at death’s door?”

“You don’t question my decisions,” Theo said. His voice had switched from calm and composed to cold and threatening. “No one gets to interfere in family matters, not even you, spy!”

“I – “ Raiya started but was interrupted by Theolonius’s hand wave.

“I don’t like talking about the past, not now anyway. Bring me the boy Raiya, and you shall live to see another day. I can’t sense him anymore.”

“He’s far gone by now,” Raiya replied. “You won’t get your hands on him. You don’t deserve him. He’s a fighter, a survivor. What have you done to get this far? Steal from your elders?”

Raiya had gone a bit too far this time. Theolonius’s eyebrows knitted together. He gave her a threatening smile, advanced toward her and fixed her green eyes long enough to cause her to avert her gaze.

“I’ll show you what I managed to achieve by stealing from my elders.” He raised his hands in the air and started reciting an incantation.

Praise the light. Praise its power and might. I beseech thee, grant us strength. Grant us the Sword of Smite. Your enemies shall cower and hide, for they will be blown by the tide, of your power, your light, your pride.

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Pride of the Sun!

Raiya’s eyes widened. Theolonius using miracles? That was something she could never foresee.

The strongest wizard in the world started glowing brightly. Raiya had to shield her eyes from the bright light that threatened to blind her. A few heartbeats later, the world came back to normal. Raiya stood facing the wizards, her mouth agape.

“How can you use miracles?” she asked.

“The Church gave them that name and brainwashed people’s minds toward its use,” Theo answered. “Magic is magic, the nomenclature doesn’t really matter as long as you can create the extraordinary from a simple thought, or prayer, or incantation. The methods differ, but the end result is the same, magic!”

Theo smiled then looked at the cat demon that was lying near the tree entrance, licking his wounds.

“Your cat had it rough against the wyverns,” Theo said.

“He’s a tough one,” she replied. “He’ll live.”

“Not if I happen,” Theo said. His eyes had this coldness about them now. He looked like a man determined to reach his goal, and he’d do whatever it took to do so.

Raiya’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Talk to him,” Theo said. “Ask him how he feels.”

Raiya obeyed. ‘Sisha,’ she said through the psionic link they shared. ‘How are your wounds?’

‘Festering,’ Sisha said. ‘Not a good sign, is it?’

“What are you doing?” Raiya yelled at the warlock.

“You’re pretty useful to me alive,” Theo answered. “Sully’s almost here. You’ll have to make a quick decision. Tell me where my grandson is and your demon friend lives. Fail to do so and his wounds will fester, puss will soon come out and he’ll rot before he even draws his last breath.”

“Your grandson doesn’t like ultimatums,” Raiya said. “I’d do well to learn from him.”

“So you’re refusing to cooperate?” Theo asked.

Raiya met his cold gaze with an unrelenting one.

“Shame,” Theo said. “I may be a cruel wizard, leader and lord, but I’ll grant you one last word with your companion. Make it fast.”

“You can’t be serious Theo,” Raiya said. “He’s done nothing to anger you. He’s been protecting your beloved vessel for crying out loud!”

“You have one minute,” Theo said then looked at the horizon. “Sully’s coming with an army backing him up. What does he hope to achieve?”

“Theo, please,” Raiya said. “The demon king won’t be happy about this.”

“Then let the demon king join this lovely meeting,” Theo said. “Old friends becoming enemies, don’t you find it romantic?”

“Theo…” Words got stuck in Raiya’s throat. She loved her demon companion although he’d cherish the first opportunity to devour her. She wouldn’t give him Myles’s position either. He was too important to give up.

“Thirty seconds Raiya,” Theo said. “I wonder if he’d brought another Pontiff with him. That would make things even more interesting.”

“Theo, please…” Raiya was begging now.

“Why do you insist on defending the boy? Twenty seconds.”

‘It’s alright Ray,’ Sisha told the warlock. ‘The demon king wouldn’t show up, not for me anyway. Don’t give him the boy’s location. We had a good run, didn’t we?’

‘No, I can’t give you up for him!’

‘Yes you can,’ Sisha said. ‘Make sure he survives. And make sure you do too, for her sake, for our sake. Good bye dear friend.’

“He’s heading to Biarkh!” Raiya blurted out. She couldn’t see her friend rot and die before her eyes. “He’s heading to Biarkh… Please don’t kill Sisha!”

Theo smiled. “It’s amazing really,” he said, “what we can do when our loved ones are threatened.”

‘What did you do?!’ Sisha immediately asked.

‘I can’t live with another loss, dear friend. The boy will live, I’m sure of it.’

‘You’ve ruined our plans!’ Sisha’s tone was reproachful.

‘You can devour me when you get stronger, but now’s not the time to argue. Go protect the entrance. There’s nothing you can do here.’

‘She’s right,’ Theo interfered. ‘Did you really think I wouldn’t be able to listen in on your conversation?’

Raiya chewed on her lower lip.

‘The cat’s going nowhere!’ Theo said. ‘Sully and his company will arrive in two minutes. I’ll go take care of my grandson in the meantime. I’ll be back in a flash.’

Theolonius Stalwart wasn’t a man to be taken lightly. When he sets his mind on doing something, there’s no stopping him unless the heaven’s tore and descended upon him. He strode toward the tree house and ordered it to open its doors. He quickly got in and disappeared downstairs.

He didn’t need to head toward the door leading to the tunnel. He only summoned it to appear before him. The tree vessel was his property after all. He’d lent it to the warlock to spy on other nations for him. The door to Biarkh soon appeared before him and the wizard pushed it open. There was no sign of Myles but he knew he couldn’t have gone too far.

There were some stairs that led to an underground tunnel. Theo descended them and was about to enter the tunnel when the most peculiar creature appeared before him. A fox, whiter than white, with crimson eyes and three tails, barred the wizard’s way.

“Shoo!” Theo waved his hand at the fox. His intention was to send a light beam that would instantly kill the animal. To the man’s bewilderment, his spell didn’t work.

“You’re the real thing then, aren’t you?” he asked.

The fox blinked.

“Will you let me pass?”

The fox waved his tail right and left.

“My grandson’s in there,” Theo said, putting on his most charming smile. “I just –“

He wasn’t allowed to finish his sentence. In the blink of an eye, Theo found himself standing outside, facing the warlock.

“What?” he looked around him.

“Did you find him?” Raiya asked.

“Did you put him there?!” Theo asked back.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Raiya said. “Sisha’s still there, recovering. He’s already asleep.”

The creases between Theo’s eyebrows got thicker. “What the hell does he want with him?”

“He? Who are you talking about Theo?”

“Never mind that now,” the wizard said. “Sully and his friends have arrived.”