138: Yesterday’s Friends (Patreon)

For  the longest moment, Maiya simply stared. It was akin to walking into  one’s home and finding a Prana Swarm lurking in the corner. Or an Ash  Gate. Or something equally as ridiculous.

How? Why?  No. Maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe it’s only a bracelet that ‘looks’  familiar. But look at him! He clearly recognizes me. Those beady eyes of  his. It has to be him! Oh, gods. What’s going on?

Maiya  struggled to piece the puzzle together. Why was Vir here? How did he  end up raiding for the Pagan Order? Why was he helping free demons?

No, it’s exactly like him to do something like this, isn’t it?

Having  gained access to Princess Ira’s entire intelligence network, Maiya was  privy to many secrets. She knew that ‘Ashborn’ was simply a misnomer for  a rare type of demon with gray skin and red eyes. And she understood  the true face of the Pagan Order. That they worked to create a sanctuary  for demons. Vir was a demon.

They must have offered him a job.

Maiya  quickly intuited the series of unfortunate circumstances that led to  this moment. The Pagan Order had learned of his nature and divulged  their secret. Vir, being the sweet soul he was, couldn’t say no to  rescuing his fellow demons.

Maiya’s gaze turned to one of pity, and Vir’s to confusion.

“What are you doing here, M—” he began, but Maiya shook her head, hoping against hope Tia didn’t notice.

Get the hint! Please get the hint!

“—Tia?” he blurted, pivoting awkwardly.

Oh, no.

“Excuse me? How do you know who I am?”

“Oh, I, uh—well that redhead over there said your name earlier, didn’t she?”

“No, she didn’t,” Tia said confidently, pointing at Maiya. “That insufferable wench didn’t say a word.”

“She certainly didn’t,” Vason added, growing suspicious. “Who are you? I don’t recognize your face.”

Oh grak. This is my fault, isnt it?

Vir would never have made a mistake like that normally. Her presence would have come as a shock to him.

“It's over,” a demon behind Vir said dejectedly. “Should've figured this was too good to be true.”

“I can explain—” Vir said, facing Tia.

“Explain how you know my name,” Tia said, edging closer to Vir with her spear.

Vir’s eyes darted between Tia, Haymi, and Maiya.

“Tia, I’m ordering you back,” Maiya said. “Step down. I’ll handle this.”

“Grakking Ash I will! There’s  something suspicious here and I’m not budging until I find out what.  You ought to have realized it too. What’s going on? Do you know this  man?”

Maiya’s heart pounded madly in her ears.

“We’ve never met,” Maiya said, leveling her gaze at Vir. Please understand. She hoped her thoughts would reach him.

The  look of longing Vir gave her told her they hadn’t. She wanted to forget  everything and just run over and hug him. But she couldn’t. She had a  part to play in this.

I’m sorry, Vir. I can’t help you right now.

“I've seen you around,” Vir said, trying to salvage the situation. “Your mercenary exploits have really gotten around.”

“Oh, well, thanks?”

“I'm sick of this,” a four-armed demon snarled from behind Vir. “I don't care if it kills me. I'll fight my way out.”

“Stop!” Vir shouted, restraining the demon. “Don't resist. We don't have to—”

“Apra!?” Tia said suddenly. “That katar. Is that you?”

Vir whirled, his eyes wide, instinctively moving his katar behind him.

“Haymi, Vason, that's the katar we bought him, isn't it?”

“Er, I dunno, Tia?” Vason said, scratching his nose. “Might just be a similar one.”

“Y-yeah!” Haymi squeaked. “I'm sure it's a different one.”

“Okay, Vason's one thing, but Haymi? You're a terrible liar. You two know something, I don't, don't you?”

“No! It's not like—”

Tia  extended her spear to Vir. “What are you doing with our friend's katar?  Either you're Apra in disguise, or you stole that weapon from him. Or  worse. Because I know he'd never sell it. If you're not him, I'll be retrieving that weapon.”

She might be a chal, but she's pretty perceptive, Maiya thought. Doesn't look like he'll be able to talk his way out of this.

Vir deflated, and when he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “You're right. Tia. It’s me. It’s Apramor.”

“Uh,  nice disguise, there, Apra! You sure fooled me,” she said. Even to  Maiya's ears, her voice sounded put on. As if she'd already known, and  was trying to hide it.

Tia turned to the mejai in confusion. “You even knew about this? What haven't you two been telling me?”

“S-so, er, what are you even doing, Apra? Helping out the Pagan Order?” Haymi nervously glanced away.

Thank you, Haymi! Maiya thought. The question had been at the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t have asked it without appearing suspicious.

“The Pagan Order!?” a four-armed demon behind Vir shouted. “You’re with the Order?”

Maiya felt Vir’s panic.

“Did I ever say that?” Vir shouted back. “You need to trust me.”

“Trust you?”  A demon woman spat. “Why would we take a risk like that? I’ll not die  at the hands of those Order maniacs. If you wish to kill us, do it here  and now, that I may meet my end with some dignity.”

The woman was so emaciated, Maiya wondered how she was still alive. And yet, she spoke with iron resolve.

“Even if you are telling the truth, how will you free us against so many?” an elderly demon said. “That woman is out for blood.”

“Give me a reason,” Tia said, addressing the old man. “Just give me a reason to end you. Go on. Keep talking.”

Both  Vir and Maiya cringed at her words. It was no secret that Tia loathed  demons. But to know about her prejudice and experience it firsthand were  two different things entirely.

“Tia...” Vir said pleadingly.

“Sorry, Apra. So this was  the contract those zealots heaped on you,” Tia said. “Gotta say, I  never thought you'd accept a mission like this. I avoided demon  subjugation contracts as a favor to you, y'know? We should talk about  taking some on when you're done.”

Why’s she saying these things? Why would Vir ever harm… No.

Understanding dawned upon Maiya.

She doesn’t know Vir’s a demon! Oh, no. Vir, you’ve gotten yourself into a fine mess, haven’t you?

Vir remained silent, which was likely the best thing he could’ve done. Unfortunately, Tia’s next words ruined everything.

“I've...  made things difficult for you, haven't I?” Tia said, frowning. “You  need to take those demons back to the Order, but that's gonna be tough  at this point. Why don’t we just kill them here and give them the  bodies? Safer for you, too.”

Don’t lose it, Vir. Stay calm. Peace.

Maiya could scarcely listen to Tia’s words. They sounded like  a joke. Like dark sarcasm. Except, they weren’t. From her expression to  the way she shivered and held her spear with white knuckles, the  princess radiated pure, unfiltered loathing. She would kill those demons  without blinking an eye, and she’d sleep peacefully after, thinking  she’d done the world a great service.

Vir asked. “I never knew you to be this callous, Tia.”

Tia looked confused. “You  know how dangerous these things can be. What if they escape on the way  back? Can you guarantee they won't harm another human? I'm not being  callous. I'm being rational. There's no reason to leave them alive, and every reason not to. Less hassle than taking them back, right? Why are you ”

“That's enough, Tia,” Maiya commanded. “Allow him to take them.”

“This is a private conversation. Don't get in my way.”

“That's not how this works, Tia. You—”

“I've put up with quite enough of you tonight, handmaid,”  Tia said, speaking over Maiya. “If you intervene, or if those Balarian  Guards outside get in my way, there’ll be war between our countries. Are  you willing to start a war, little bandy?”

This grakking chal!

It  was a bluff. It had to be a bluff. But it was one Maiya didn’t dare  call. She had no authority to—no right. It mattered little; Maiya would not be the tinder that ignited a war between two nations.

”Stay! Good. Keep that up and I might even throw you a treat!"

Vir jerked. It was such a subtle thing that would have gone unnoticed if Maiya hadn’t known him so well.

He’s furious. But not for himself. For me. He wants to hurt her.

Vir  might have grown stronger since they parted, but Maiya knew. He was  still the same soul. The same kind of person who cared more than he  should.

“C-Countries?” Vir said, stuttering. Not out of cowardice, but indignant anger.

“Sorry, Apra. She’s just some chal whose head has grown too big for her shoulders. You needn’t bother with her.”

Vir’s breaths came labored. Maiya could see it even standing a dozen paces away.

No way those demons’ll follow him if he admits he’s here to kill them.

He’ll have to give up and come back some other time. Right. That’s what he’ll do—

“So? Any objections?” Tia asked. “Let's take them out together.”

“Like grak, you will!” the four-armed demon said, squaring off against Tiyana with two other demons whose shackles had been broken.

“I was hoping you'd say that,” Tia said, moving far faster than Maiya had thought her slim frame could muster.

Clang!

It was not the sound of metal piercing flesh; metal-on-metal echoed through the room.

“What are you doing?” Tia asked.

“I won’t let you kill them, Tia,” Vir said softly, standing in her path, having deflected her speartip with his armored bracer.

What's your plan, Vir? As  far as Maiya saw it, Vir was stuck between a rock and a hard place.  He'd never let Tia kill them, but if he admitted to working with the  Order, he'd lose any chance of escaping with those demons. If he fought  Tia, he'd have to incapacitate her to escape. Haymi was currently  powering Tia with her magic, and with Prana Vision, Vir would've known that. Maiya didn't know how strong he'd become, but those weren't good odds, even if Maiya stood aside. Which she wouldn't, and Vir had to suspect that, too.

“Explain to me how it’s any different,  killing them now or later? Or... hang on. Did the Pagan Order say they  wouldn’t pay you unless you brought them back alive?”

Vir narrowed his eyes. “Of course, I need them alive! They're no use to me dead.”

Tia relaxed visibly.

“Well,  you should've said something earlier! What are they paying you?“ she  asked with a sly grin. “I'll double it. Look, I won't lie, I've never  been a fan of this plan of hers,” Tia said, nodding to Maiya. “Sure, I  get that the Order's gonna kill them, but seeing them here, right in  front of me? All I see are the faces of my parents' killers, Apra. Would  you feel nothing, were you in my boots?”

“It's not that simple, Tia. I have reasons for my actions.”

“You're not going to budge, are you? Alright, fine. Do what you want,” she said with a sweep of her hand.

Nice acting, Maiya  thought. Vir had gotten Tia to stand down without ever admitting he  worked for the Order. He'd walked a tightrope... but would the prisoners  see it that way?

Vir breathed out, then turned the demons. “Come with me.”

“Get grakked!” a demon raged behind his back.

“Anywhere's better than here!” Vir shot back, his face contorted with frustration.

“Pagan Order's worse,” a frail elderly demon man croaked.

“What's  with that look, demon?” Tia said, addressing the four-arm demon who  glared daggers at her. “You're one of them, aren't you? You're one of  the ones who wouldn't bat an eye murdering human children. You want to  kill me, don't you?“

Tia approached, hefting her spear.

So his plan failed... Maiya  thought bitterly. The demons weren't willing to come along. Short of  incapacitating them all and hauling them out, Vir's options were  extremely limited.

“Oh, I'd like that,” the demon snarled. “Just come a little closer so I can break that thin neck of yours.”

“What are you doing?” Vir asked in exasperation. “Didn't you hear her? She'll let us go! Just calm down.”

“With pleasure!” Tia fired back. “But it'll be your neck, and it'll be on a pike!”

They inched closer. Tia crouched, ready to thrust her spear, while the four-armed demon drew his fist back.

“Enough!”  Vir roared an instant before they attacked. He faced the demons  earnestly. “I’m not here to kill you, alright? I'm here to save you!”

“Can you prove it?” a demon said.

Vir hesitated, glancing at Tia, then firmed his expression, standing tall.

“I can,” he said. “But first, Tia? I want you to know that I'm really sorry about this. Do you trust me, Tia?”

“Um, that's a little out of the blue. But yeah, of course, I trust you, Apra.”

Vir took a deep breath.

“I’m  a demon,” he said softly, turning to the prisoners. “You wanted me to  prove it? I'm one of you. You keep saying we're with the Pagan Order,  but do you see, now? We're not with those demon haters, and I'm not here to take you to your executions. I'm here to bring you to safety. A place where you can lead a better life.”

So that's his angle, Maiya  thought bitterly. Truthfully, Vir had few options left. His only other  choice was abandoning the prisoners, and Maiya now knew he'd never even  consider that.

Tia watched with a bemused expression, assuming Vir was bluffing them.

Wow. This might actually work? Maiya thought. Well done, Vir.

The words of a demon prisoner brought everything crashing down.

“Talk is cheap. If you're wearing a disguise, remove it.”

Tia scoffed. “Just listen to their entitlement,” she spat.  “What right do they have to make demands of you?”

Maiya  bit her lip. It wasn't Tia who'd called his bluff, but the very demons  Vir was trying to save. He had no choice now. He'd either have to  abandon them, or...

Vir brought a hand to his eyes and removed his lens, then smeared off his makeup, revealing gray skin.

“Well?” he said tiredly. “Do you believe me now?”

His only hope now is that Tia stands aside out of respect for their friendship, Maiya thought.

The blonde stared on with shock.“This is a joke, right? Tell me this is some sick, twisted joke.”

Then, whirling, she glared at Vason and Haymi. “You knew. You knew! And you kept it from me!” she shouted, boiling over with rage.

“I  know you hate demons, Tia. I know why you hate them. But did I ever  tell you what happened to my father?” Vir said softly. “My father  adopted me. He raised me from birth by himself, despite his meager  means. He was just a hardworking lumberjack who worked himself to the  bone to put food on our table. He'd never harmed a soul.”

Vir stared at Tia grimly. “Do you know what they did to him?”

The princess leveled her spear at Vir, but her hands trembled. Her expression was one of equal parts shock and confusion.

“Hiranyan knights murdered him. Right before my eyes. They killed my best friend’s parents, too.”

Maiya twitched, her fingernail digging into her palms.

“Humans did  this,” Vir continued. “Knights whose oath is to protect life, not  destroy it. So tell me now. Tell me that humans aren’t evil. Say it to  my face. Because isn’t this exactly what happened to your own  parents? But I don’t hate humans like you hate demons. Knights, maybe.  But I understand that everyone’s different. That hating all demons  because of the actions of a few is something only an ignorant child  would do. I know you, Tia. You're smarter than that.”

Vir swiped Tia’s spear aside, and Maiya’s heart throbbed. Tears welled up in her eyes, but they contained no pity.

“You're one of the few friends I've ever had. So I'm asking you to stand aside. I don't want to fight you, but I will help these demons. Or by Vera, I'll die trying.”

Maiya’s chest filled with something warm. Tears flowed freely down her cheek.

Gods, I missed him!