The Soul Engine Ch. 13 (Original Fantasy) (Patreon)

A/N: Mikael, Avina, and Thayla all meet back up to discuss the day's work.

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Arriving back at the safehouse, Mikael finds himself with far too much time on his hands. Despite his mission ostensibly being the most dangerous by far, it was also the quickest. In fact, as he sits down and waits for the others to return from their own respective tasks, Mikael finds himself wishing he was still out there. He should have had Avina give him at least one or two more locations to burn down today while security was still relatively lax.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t thought that through very well, and neither had the others. Instead, Mikael found himself alone with his thoughts and given his current mental state, he’d prefer almost anything else. It wasn’t as though he had voices in his head, necessarily. None of the memories stuffed into his brain by that bastard Zadicus Quinn had taken on a life of their own or anything like that.

Ugh, he’d be seriously fucked up if they started developing their own sapience and could actually ‘talk’ to him. But no. As much as he might get poetic at times, describing them as ‘dead men occupying his skull’ and what not, the truth was… they were just memories. There was no intelligence to them. No true drive. But that just made it all the worse because it meant the urges that they provoked within him were his own.

A shudder runs down Mikael’s spine as he considers how close he came to killing those guards today. In the moment he’d managed to hold himself back and restrain his strength so that he didn’t end any of their lives. But now that he could look back and reflect on it, he had to admit that it had been a near thing. Nearer than he would have liked.

Worst of all, large parts of him didn’t understand why it was a problem. He’d killed Tak and those other two thugs easily enough, right? Tak hadn’t even tried to fight him. Mikael had killed the man from behind, while he was attempting to flee. But that was different. That was necessary. He’d been in a desperation situation filled with more questions than answers, and he’d needed to make a judgment call.

Obviously, he knew more now than he did then. Enough that it wasn’t quite so easy to justify the killing anymore. It wasn’t kill or be killed with those guards earlier today. None of them could even touch him. And yet… his refusal to slaughter them didn’t come without its consequences. Having removed the leather jerkin when he got back to the safehouse, Mikael glances down at his chest, where the Soul Engine beneath his shirt is still glowing relatively brightly.

But not as brightly as it was before. Sparing the guards had sapped some of his strength and left him not quite as strong as he’d been before. He was sure he still had superhuman levels of strength and speed, but the drain was noticeable. Just consuming the rats in the sewers might not sustain him forever, especially if he got into fights at every warehouse he burned down.

… Well, he’d just have to avoid any further altercations if possible. Security at Zadicus’ warehouses was bound to get tougher, but Mikael had learned his lesson today. He would be more careful and conscious of being manipulated by his foreign memories going forward. Parts of him might want to give in and get into more fights to satisfy them… but Mikael refused to become like the monsters Zadicus had stuffed into his brain.

He-

Cut off mid-thought, Mikael jolts from his seat as the front door and the basement hatch both open at the same time. For a second, adrenaline fills his system as he imagines guards coming in from both entrances and attacking him right on the spot. But… no. It just so happens that Thayla and Avina are returning at practically the same moment, completely independent of one another.

The Dame and his Soul Mechanic both slip in through their respective entrances, only to pause when they see each other coming in at the same time. After a moment, Avina just scowls at the other woman.

“Close the damn door. Do you want anyone passing by to be able to see us?”

The female knight blushes and quickly finishes stepping inside, closing the door and locking it securely behind her. The cover story was that because her investigation had taken a turn for the strange and seemed like it would be taking longer than she’d thought, the Knight of the Rose had sought out more permanent lodging.

Meanwhile, this safehouse that Avina had set up was apparently owned by an old seamstress who the pale young woman had befriended some time ago. She’d died a year back without any living family members, giving Avina permission to bury her outside of the city and then hide her demise from the city officials.

As far as everyone outside of this home was concerned, Thayla was essentially shacking up with that old seamstress, and Mikael and Avina might as well not exist. Or at least, Mikael might as well not exist. Avina was still being hunted… but then as far as the Lord of the City was concerned, Thayla was hunting Avina just as hard as his own guards were. So no one would ever think to check Thayla’s residence for the fugitive, now would they?

Both women move over to the table where Mikael is stood, prompting Mikael to retake his seat as they do the same. Avina leans forward, eyes filled with curiosity, and broaches the obvious subject first.

“So? How did it go? Did you wind up in a combat situation? How did the Engine perform?”

His Soul Mechanic’s excitement brings a slightly fond smile to his face as Mikael gives a nod.

“It went… fine. The warehouse was well on its way to burning to the ground when I left the scene. They might save part of the building, but they won’t save any of the goods inside of it.”

After telling the good news however, he lets out a sigh and rubs a hand across the back of his head.

“… But yes, there was combat. I didn’t quite make it out unseen. After I set the fire, the guards caught me trying to leave and attempted to detain me. Thanks to the Soul Engine, I was able to defeat them with little issue and make my escape.”

Thayla’s back goes ramrod straight at that, the female knight’s eyes widening upon hearing that he got into a fight. Avina, on the other hand, gives his chest a curious look, her brow furrowing in confusion.

“… There might be something wrong with the Soul Engine then. If you really fought some guards, it should be glowing a lot brighter right now.”

Mikael shakes his head at that, smiling slightly.

“I said I fought and defeated them, Avina. I didn’t kill them. Don’t worry, I made sure none of them saw my face. Still, if I’d used the Soul Engine’s abilities and absorbed their souls, I would have left behind husks just like the ones we left in that basement. It felt like a bad idea, especially since we’re trying to lay low.”

There’s a mulish expression on Avina’s face as he explains his reasoning. Likely because she suspects that he’s not being entirely truthful with her. While his reasoning for not wanting to leave behind evidence of Avina’s machine is plenty sound, it’s not the only reason why he didn’t kill the guards. For a moment, as she leans back and nods in understanding, it seems like she’s not going to call him out on it. But then…

“You won’t be able to keep it under wraps forever, Mikael. Maybe Zadicus won’t bump up security after just one warehouse burns down, but you can bet he’ll start paying to try and keep his buildings safe after the second goes up. And then the third. Security will be heightened before you can even blink, and so long as you’re doing this solo, you aren’t going to have the luxury of sparing your enemies for much longer.”

Before Mikael can formulate a response to that, Thayla abruptly leans forward.

“It was most noble of you to try and spare their lives, Sir Hero. That you could show them mercy was a mark of your strength, not your weakness. However… she speaks true. You can’t expect to continue doing this on your own for much longer. Which is why I must once again protest our division of duties. I am sure that I would be of much greater use at your side. I can even disguise myself if need be, and leave my armor here while I go out with you under cloak and cowl!”

A tinge of desperation arises in Thayla’s voice and for a moment Mikael even considers the offer. But… no.

“Sorry Thayla, but that’s a bad idea. It doesn’t matter if you’re not seen WITH me. What matters is that you’re seen elsewhere in the city while I’m doing my dirty deeds. We can’t give Zadicus any reason to suspect you and if you suddenly start always being suspiciously absent whenever a warehouse burns down, he’ll almost certainly put two and two together.”

He pauses briefly… and then graces her with a smile, deciding now is as good a time as any to maybe start chipping away at that hero worship she has going on.

“Also, you don’t have to call me ‘Sir Hero’ all the time, Thayla. You can just call me Mikael.”

The Knight of the Rose flushes and rears back as if struck, stammering.

“B-But that would not be a-appropriate. I am sworn to serve you for my crimes against your person! That is much t-too familiar!”

The more he gets to know Thayla, the harder it is to remind himself that she’s the one who carved out his heart. But he’s seen both sides of her now. The professional knight who’d thought she was slaying a criminal back in that pit, and this woman, wracked with guilt over the crime of killing a Summoned Hero. Sighing, he shakes his head.

“Try, please? For me?”

“… Very well, Sir M-Mikael…”

Well, it was a start at least. Mikael gives Thayla a friendly smile and a nod at that, which causes her to duck her head in response. Meanwhile, Avina clears her throat, drawing their attention back to her.

“Right… if that’s settled, let’s discuss what I and the Dame did today then, shall we? It wasn’t easy or simple, but I was able to get in touch with my contact today after all. That’s why I was gone so long actually. What I thought would be a simple dead drop turned into a full blown conversation. Thankfully, I think I can trust them… and it’s not like they know where we are anyways.”

Mikael raises an eyebrow at the secrecy.

“Who exactly is this person? What can they do for us exactly?”

Here, Avina puffs out her chest a little bit, clearly feeling proud of herself.

“It’s one of the city’s criers actually… you know, those types who stand on street corners and shout the news at the top of their lungs for hours at a time?”

When Mikael nods to show he does indeed know, Avina is quick to elaborate.

“Well I know a Crier who has a bone to pick with the Lord of the City. Mostly because her brother was arrested for thievery and then subsequently thrown into an arena where he died for his ‘crimes’.”

That causes Thayla to lean forward again.

“Was he actually guilty?”

Scoffing, Avina rolls her eyes at the Knight of the Rose.

“Does it matter? Or rather, let me phrase that. Do you think Zadicus cared whether the man was guilty or not when he was used as fodder to further line the Lord of the City’s pockets?”

Thayla grimaces and leans back at that, looking like she’s bitten into something particularly sour. Avina, meanwhile, turns to Mikael with a smile.

“The point is, my contact is a Crier who has Crier friends. And she’s willing to start announcing unfavorable things about our precious City Lord just as soon as the actual rumors start flying around. Because you’d better believe that Zadicus and his guards will be doing everything they possibly can to suppress information about things like suspect warehouse fires. But she won’t let them. She’ll shout it from the rooftops just as soon as she hears proof of it actually happening. Once you’ve burnt down enough warehouses anyways… and once the Dame here has rescued enough lost pets, I suppose.”

Thayla scowls a little at that, her hands curling into fists.

“You refuse to let me fight by Sir Mikael’s side, and then belittle the work you demand I do instead?!”

Before Avina can respond to that and start another argument, Mikael steps him with a raised hand.

“Let’s talk about that. How did today go, Thayla? Do you feel you were successful in helping the people of Alether, above and beyond what the City Guard has been doing?”

Flushing at his direct attention, Thayla nods and immediately launches into the tale of her day, describing how she’d went about the city, doing what she did best. And yes, at one point she HAD rescued a cat from a tree of all things. But she’d also done things like stop some petty theft, break up a tavern brawl, and even pass out food to some beggars. And she’d done those things before the guards could show up and do them instead… or as was more likely the case, arrest the people involved and brand them all criminals to be thrown into Alether’s arena pits.

Once Thayla is done describing her actions, Avina clasps her hands together in front of her with a smile.

“Excellent. While our actions taken apart from one another might not amount to much, when combined together, they should start to put the pressure on Zadicus. With Mikael damaging his relationship with the merchants, Thayla damaging his relationship the commonfolk, and the Criers soon reporting on both subjects, Zadicus will have no choice but to take drastic action.”

Mikael wishes he could share in Avina’s overwhelming confidence a little more. This still felt like the best plan they had at the moment. He honestly didn’t see any better options. And right now, his best set of skills was fighting, even if they were a false set of skills.

“I’ll get started on some stew for dinner.”

As Avina rises from the table to go and do just that, Mikael blinks as he realizes he’s not technically hungry… and hasn’t been since he came back from the dead. The Soul Engine really was his primary source of sustenance now, wasn’t it? But… Avina would have said something if he couldn’t eat at all. And if he COULD still eat, then he sort of still wanted to. Even if it was just for the joy of eating more than anything else.

“Sir Mikael…”

Thayla’s voice pulls him from his thoughts and Mikael blinks as he looks over to see the white-haired Knight of the Rose giving him a strangely intense look.

“I would appreciate the opportunity to spar with you. We must keep our skills sharp, after all.”

Before Mikael can respond, Avina calls out from the kitchen.

“If you’re going to spar, do it in the basement where you’re less likely to be heard!”

Well… it looked like they were going to spar then, he supposed.

-x-X-x-

A/N: Some more Character Interaction! Hopefully it was enjoyable~

Now... are they really going to spar? Or is Thayla just looking for a chance to get Mikael alone?

On a completely unrelated note, tomorrow's chapter is a lewd one.

As always, hope people enjoyed and be sure to let me know what you think!