Spellheart 9: Chapter 45 (Patreon)

“Dean...” My doppelganger glowered at Dean. He stood, waving at the nearby guns to direct their muzzles at Dean.

The projectiles flew, but Dean distorted the flow of space around him, and so each bundle of lead slowed to a crawl. Dean ducked and swerved in slow motion, dodging every one of them.

“I totally didn’t steal that trick from The Matrix,” Dean shouted when he finished dodging the last bullets.

I dusted myself off and stood. I was a little worse for wear but still ready for a battle.

“If you’ve got any more tricks, you might as well show them now,” I told my doppelganger. “Because it’s time to end this!”

As if to punctuate my statement, our allies finally arrived. Like Dean, they’d been waiting just out of reach in case we needed them. Before this battle even began, I had made preparations to make sure it would be the last one. I'd brought overwhelming firepower, and no tricks on my doppelgangers behalf would snatch victory away.

My allies arrived one after another. The Sunspire princess glided down on rays of golden light. Teilinith and Feilinith from the Ancient Tree Temple bent the tree branches they stood upon with nature zeal and slid down their length. Amisra hovered in the air on a flying sword.

Yillinarena rode a wave that splashed over the sea floor. The leader of the Golden Sword Sect arrived with her weapon in hand.

With five more Sorcerers, my doppelganger was well and truly outmatched. He didn’t stand a chance against so many of us.

“Give up!” I demanded, already balling my fists for the final fight.

Then, to my surprise, my doppelganger nodded. “Very well.”

He shrank back down to standard size, and the whirring plates that had transformed into guns returned to their normal shape and slid back onto his body.

“Wait, really?” I asked in surprise.

That was it?

“I know when I see a battle I can not win." My doppelganger turned his gaze on the small army surrounding him. Including Dean, this was enough power to conqueror a continent.

Dean put down his axe and sighed. “Well, shit. Guess I’m not getting that fight after all.”

“Uh...” I looked overhead at the arsenal of magical might I’d brought to bear to finish things. “Thanks for showing up, guys!”

One by one, people-powered down their abilities and settled onto the forest floor. My matriarchs picked themselves up and dusted themselves off. Now that the bullets had stopped, they could make their way over.

I turned to Dean and whispered. “We can’t... You know, attack him anyway?”

Dean shook his head, speaking in a normal voice. “Can’t. Demigods who’ve surrendered are entitled to rights as described in the Myriad Monsters Convention according to the rules on war.”

“There’s been a convention?” I asked, eyebrows raised. Nobody ever told me there had been a convention for the rules of war. I worried for some of my past tactics and grew a bit angry at some of the tactics used against me.

Dean shrugged.

I let out a long sigh. “Alright... I guess you’re coming with us back to the Hearthwood.”

“The Personal Chambers are the only room that can hold me,” my doppelganger said. “Do to me as you did to Tim.”

My shoulders slumped. “I was afraid of that.”

It looked like I was going to lose my favorite room again.

I opened a Pocket World passage then and there, and everyone present walked with my evil twin through it. We cleared the hallway ahead of him, but he strolled ahead like this was his home. He cast a brief wistful glance around the interior of The Wanderer, eyes catching on Argona peeking around the corner. He held out his hand as though to reach out for her, but she ducked around the corner back into the Drafter’s Study.

I watched my evil twin’s hand fall limp to his side. Then he turned to the Personal Chambers, swung the door open, and shut it behind him.

“Mac, disconnect the Personal Chambers,” I instructed.

Soon, the door was replaced by a shimmering blue wave, separating the Personal Chambers from the rest of the Hearthwood as cleanly as though it had been cast into another dimension.

I turned to everyone who’d rushed to help me. “Thank you all for coming. It seems like I owe you all another favor. I’ll dig some stuff up from the clan vaults.”

***

The Sorcerers I’d called in for support eagerly departed at the promise of a reward, and soon Dean and I were alone. We took a detour to one of the sitting rooms in Castle Mac. This was supposed to be my study, though the layout for the castle was expanding so rapidly I was pretty sure I had more than one these days. Thankfully, this one was already outfitted with furniture and alcohol.

“So... this Myriad Monsters Convention you told me about. I take it the usual rules against torture and coercion apply?” I asked.

Dean rummaged through my cabinets for something to drink. Eventually, he found something to his liking and popped it open. “Afraid so! Can't do that stuff on a Demigod who’s willingly surrendered.”

“Well, there goes my plan to reabsorb him by force. Not that I think I could right now when he’s a Demigod, and I’m a Sorcerer. I’ll just have to get creative with my questioning.” I ran my fingers across my chin. “This convention of yours. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it. I take it it only applies to human demigods?”

Dean shook his head, following my thoughts. “It used to. The rules are based on what we remember of the Geneva Convention. It isn’t a one-to-one match, though. This world isn’t as developed as Earth. Most elves don’t even know about other regions of the world, and many have never even left the villages they manifested in. But for us Demigods, it’s a different story. A few centuries back, enough of us humans reached Demigod that we decided to write down rules for how we’d treat each other in the event of a war. We wanted to be civil and minimize damage since a fight between Demigods can wreck a big chunk of a country.” Dean took a long sip of liquor directly from the bottle before continuing.

“So we made a bargain. Any Demigod who surrendered has to be treated with dignity and respect. They’re entitled to a manor home no smaller than five thousand square meters, along with at least one thousand of their choice of family members, servants, or lovers. Anything less would be considered inhumane. The elves liked the deal enough that most of the elven Demigods signed on too.”

“So technically, I’m breaking the rules of the convention by not allowing my evil twin his private manor and one thousand servants and lovers?”

"Technically, yes." Dean shifted apologetically.

I shook my head. It seemed to me like these Demigods were a little too soft.

I let out a long sigh. “And I take it that this bargain doesn’t apply to powerful Sorcerers?”

Dean shook his head. “Nope! Sorcerers can be executed or tortured as the winner sees feet.”

I found myself more than a little annoyed at the other humans of this world. It seemed like they’d crafted a realm of luxury and relaxation -- but only for a select few. It reminded me too much of the things I hadn’t liked back on Earth.

“Say, I doubt my evil twin ever signed that treaty...”

Dean flashed me an embarrassed look. “Uh... I’m afraid I already added your name to the list when the time came. Thought it would be good insurance in case the Cult of the Unblinking Eye gave you more trouble. Since he’s your clone, he counts too.”

I sighed. “Well then, I guess we have to give my robot twin his thousand servants and lovers. I’d prefer if you were there the first time I questioned him."

Dean looked relieved at that. “Of course, buddy! Let me just finish this drink, and we’ll give your eviler half a piece of your mind!”

***

We decided it would be better to do this sooner rather than later. Were I in my evil twin’s position, I would have expected to be left to stew for days or even months. So naturally, I had to do the opposite of what I thought I would do and begin the interrogation immediately.

“Remind me to never willingly clone myself,” I grumbled. All this stuff about trying to out think myself was a pain in the ass.

“You and me both, brother!” Dean chuckled. “You missed my clone by a long while. I don’t envy you. They’re a pain in the ass. Mine kept trying to kill me so he could be the original. Maybe that's what's up with yours.”

The two of us stood before the door to the Personal Chambers, straightening our clothes and putting on our serious faces. We had to look tough and in command.

“Mac, open up the Personal Chambers.”

[Now connecting the Personal Chambers back to The Wanderer...]

“Alright, who’s the good cop, and who’s the bad cop?” Dean asked as the fading blue light reflected off the two of us.

“I think I have to be the bad cop. He doesn’t like me.”

Dean’s shoulders slumped. “Aww. I prefer bad cop.”

“Fine. You can--“ The barrier faded away, cutting me off mid-sentence.

My doppelganger stood from where he’d been sitting at my writing desk. Mist and steam were in the air, and he wore a towel about his waist.

“Did you just take a shower?” I asked curiously.

“I’ve missed this place,” my doppelganger replied. His gaze swept the Personal Chambers, then settled on Dean and me.

I frowned. He wouldn’t have seen much of it in a long time. Not since capturing Tim. If I’d gone that long without a shower, I’d miss it too.

“But... you’re made of metal and magic. Do you even need to shower?”

My doppelganger cocked his head to the side. “You are made of flesh and magic. Why do you shower?”

He had me there. Cleaning the grime off myself with a wave of Earth zeal was easier. But that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy having time to think.

I shook my head. He was throwing me off. This was the wrong time for that. I reminded myself that I had an evil robot twin to interrogate.

I slammed my fist on the table in a display of anger. My doppelganger seemed unimpressed, but I barreled on. “Alright, I’ve got a few questions for you. Starting with the big one. Why? Why are you fighting me? If we’re the same person, we should have the same motivations. So why attack the Hearthwood?”

“You are too weak,” my dark mirror replied. His voice turned colder and more metallic as he spoke, and he wore a sneer. “The Hearthwood would be destroyed without a stronger hand to protect it.”

I glowered down at him. “And I take it you thought that stronger hand was you, huh?”

He remained silent at that. I stared him down, and he met my gaze unflinchingly.

Eventually, I moved on while Dean crossed his arms and looked tough behind me. “Next question. Why kill Ethan?”

“The Cult of the Unblinking Eye are enemies. You know this. They have attacked you time and time again, and yet you think they can be your friends? Fool.” My doppelganger shook his head. “This world is not big enough for us and them.”

I scoffed. “I guessed as much. But you’re not me, you haven’t lived through the things I have. You don’t know what you are talking about.”

My doppelganger stood and stared at me, quiet and unblinking. “I could say the same to you.”

Our little contest would probably have gone on a bit longer, and it might have even escalated into physical conflict if Dean hadn’t been there.

He stepped forward and stepped between us with an exaggerated swagger, then pointed a finger at my evil twin. “Alright, alright... that’s enough of that! I’ve got an axe and know how to use it. Sit down, metal punk! Us fleshy folk are asking the questions here!”

My doppelganger returned to his seat, and Dean flashed me a big thumbs up.

I asked the next question that was on my mind. “So you think there’s no way to make peace with the Cult of the Unblinking Eye. Fine, I understand that. But what about the Satyrs?”

“They want Sava,” my doppelganger replied. “Their king is arrogant and thinks little of you. Worse, he needs a keystone elf like her to lay claim to his conquered territory. He will take her from you.”

“I can protect her!” I had more than a little heat in my voice. I didn’t like someone saying someone would take Sava from me. Worse, he was talking about it like it was an inevitability. It wasn’t. That was over and done with. I had already dealt with the Satyr King, and he had agreed not to bother me and mine again. “I’ve already saved her. The Satyr King gave me that Sacred Grove you destroyed as compensation for his failed attack. Now I have a captive Demigod as a bargaining chip in case he does anything else.”

My doppelganger shook his head as though he couldn’t believe my stupidity. “You think embarrassing him will protect you? You think deals and bargains matter? That Sacred Grove was more weakness, so I cut it out. Only one thing stands between you and what you cherish.” He clenched his fist and held it up. “Power. Your personal might. You have forgotten that.”

I shook my head. “I disagree. There is a time for physical conflict. Just like there is a time for negotiation. The wars you remember all ended, and now is a time of peace. I rule the Hearthwood with a gentle hand and am well-liked. Better liked than most elven rulers, I think.”

My doppelganger wore a placid look of disbelief as he looked up at me. “You were wrong to take Sava back here. I would have protected her. I could protect everyone you care for. Now, they will not suffer for your mistakes.”

I felt my nails digging into my palms. “I haven’t made any mistakes. I can’t say the same for you.”

“You have already failed. You just don’t see it yet. If not your women, then give me our children. I will protect them until they are strong.”

I took a step forward, anger flaring. “Listen to me. You are not ever going to see any of my kids. I don’t want them so much as in the same room as you. There’s no way in Hell I’m going to let you protect them!”

“Just Argona then,” my doppleganger insisted. “She is gifted but weak. Without a strong protector, she will die. Or worse.”

“What do you mean worse?” I crossed my arms as I felt my spine tingling with fury.

My doppelganger shrugged. “Enslaved for the rest of her life. Forced to craft enchantments for her captors.”

I punched him in the face. Thanks to my growing rage, my blow must have carried more strength than it had in battle because I finally caught him off guard. The chair beneath him splintered and broke, and he fell to the floor.

Dean stepped in front of me. “Woah, woah! Remember that Myriad Monsters Convention I was talking about? Yeah, no beating prisoners! Come on, man, I’m supposed to be the bad cop!”

My chest heaved, and I waited to be punched right back. But my doppelganger didn’t respond. He sat still where he was before and looked up at me slowly. Much to my surprise, he wore a smile on his face.

It was the first time I’d seen him smiling. “You have anger in you still. Good. I thought I had taken it all with me.”

I jabbed a finger at him. “You’re not getting Argona. Period. End of discussion. You’re a prisoner here, and a prisoner is what you’ll stay.”

“Then give me some of the others,” my doppelganger asked as he climbed to his feet. “I’ve seen our castle. You have hundreds of descendents.”

I shook my head. “Make your own kids if you want some so badly!”

“I can’t.” My doppelganger looked down at himself, reminding me that he was made out of metal and magic. He was quite clearly lacking the capacity make any kids.

Still, I was doubtful. While there was something magical about falling in love and having a child, he and I were equipped with actual magic. So far, among the Ten Thousand Worlds, I had found that where there was a will, there was a way. If my doppelganger had really wanted children and lovers, he could have made some of his own eventually. Though strangely, I wasn’t too happy with that thought either. Like it or not, my evil twin was something that originated from me. The thought of him building a life and family far away from here seemed odd. I didn’t really know how to describe it. It just didn’t feel right. Perhaps that was how he felt as well.

But I kept those thoughts to myself. My body still burned hot with the need for a fight. I would need to visit the Simulation Chamber after this to work off some of my extra energy.

I took a few deep breaths to steady myself before asking any more questions. “So that’s what all this is about, huh? You’re jealous of my life and my family, so you thought you could take them for yourself?”

“Protect them,” my evil twin said.

“If you had my memories, you’d know my women can protect themselves. Each of them is a strong and capable warrior in their own right.” I glanced at my doppelganger's waist with my eyebrows raised."Besides, you don’t have what it takes to keep them occupied."

My doppelganger glowered at me. “You took the whole of our baser desires. I have no need for them. I just want to protect them.”

I snorted and shook my head. I’d heard enough, and I was eager to slam the door shut behind me. I turned.

“Uh, before we go, I’m supposed to tell you your rights. You’re supposed to get a manor and your choice of one thousand servants, lovers, or family,” Dean said.

My doppelganger shook his head. “That will be unnecessary. I am comfortable here. And it seems I have no lovers or family to speak of.”

I left the Personal Chambers, brows drawn tight in anger. I was supposed to be asking the questions back there, but I couldn’t help but feel like my doppelganger had somehow gotten the upper hand.

I looked inward, analyzing my own feelings. The fury was obvious. The protective desire to keep my family safe. But I noticed something buried in the far corners of my heart.

Was that worry I felt?

<Note>

I'm getting far enough ahead of you guys that I can do an extra chapter here or there, so long as I stay ten chapters ahead or so. So, bonus chapter! There should still be one tomorrow at the usual time.

This chapter spells the end of act 2, so we're moving into the final act! I'm midway through chapter 57 as of today, so maybe 15 more chapters after that? Something like that.