Chapter 14: Truth (Patreon)
Content
It took us the better part of the day to reach our destination, but that was more a function of excessive caution on our part than the distance we had to travel. Not sure who we could trust, we kept to the back alleys and avoided anyone we knew.
The morningâs events had left matters strained between the three of us. Each time I considered rectifying things, I would catch the questioning look in Sorenâs eyes and be reminded yet again that he and I had weighty issues to discuss.
Clearing the air, I decided, could wait until later.
Thankfully, in spite of our cautionâor because of itâwe spotted no further Devils. It seemed Matthewâs group was the only one that had stayed on our trail. We must have lost the others at some point during the night.
It got me wondering about the player, though.
Was he the reason weâd been unable to shake the lead group? What strange player abilities had he used to track us? And, more importantly, could we expect him to find us again?
Because, of course, he would be reborn.
I shuddered at the thought. Some people believed players were immortal. Everborns, folk called them. I knew better. The Game gave themâusâfinite lives. While I had no way of knowing just how many lives Matthew had, it was a fair bet he had more remaining, and if the look in his dying eyes were anything to go by, he would seek revenge.
A problem for another day.
It seemed I had more than my fair share of those. Turning my attention back to our surroundings, I saw we were still in the slums. Mesinaâs authorities did not like the residents of the poor quarter leaving without good reason, and it didnât surprise me Soren hadnât led us elsewhere.
Even better, I realized we were still within the borders of the territory claimed by the Raccoons. As far as gangs went, the Raccoons were one of the better ones, and in the city blocks they controlled, we were safe.
Relatively safe, anyway.
The Raccoons hated the Devils nearly as much as Alon did, and nowhere else in the poor quarter would be safer for those hunted by the much larger and more powerful Devil gang.
I yawned for what felt like the tenth time. Iâd not gotten any sleep last night, and come to think of it, precious little the previous one either. Now, I could barely keep my eyes open.
The injuries Iâd sustained in the fight with the Devils had only made things worse. The healing potion Iâd drank had done wonders for my health but nothing for my tiredness. Truly, I would give just about anything to lie down and rest my aching bones.
Would a stamina potion help? I wondered idly. So weary did I feel that I found myself seriously considering the idea.
I stumbled.
Just thinking about sleeping was causing my feet to go numb. Shaking myself alert, I turned my attention inward, hoping to distract myself through conversation with my companion.
But I sensed nothing from her except vague, ephemeral thoughts. Adalinda was sleeping.
I didnât blame her. The celestial had had a trying day too, and she had manifested multiple times, draining her reserve of psi almost to its dregs. Still, I couldnât help but feel a twinge of envy at how peaceful she seemed.
âWeâre here,â Soren said abruptlyâthe first words he had spoken since heâd accepted the healing potion Iâd given him to heal the gash on his face.
I looked up. My brother had come to a stop in front of a crumbling edifice in one of the slumâs more deserted streets. Unexpectedly, the building had no door, just a dark hole in a cracked and unsightly wall, a hole that by all appearances had been created by the passage of something large.
Why has Soren brought us here? I wondered.
Surely, he didnât expect us to take refuge in the broken-down house; it looked in even worse condition than the shack that had served as our home for the last few years!
I opened my mouth, ready to interrogate my brother, but then realized heâd already disappeared from sight. I glanced at Alon behind me, who shrugged as if to say, that go or stay, it was my choice.
Sighing, I ducked my head and entered the building.
It was surprisingly dark inside. For all that the house appeared ruined from the outside, nearly no light penetrated within, which suggested some degree of care.
Someone has been maintaining the place, I thought. Or has been trying to.
Was that someone Soren?
Despite the boarded-up windows and holes, there was still enough light to see, and with minimal mishaps, I followed Sorenâs dark outline through the building. Eventually, he came to a stop at another holeâthis one in the floor. A large boulder barred entry through.
âHelp me,â Soren called, pushing on the stone.
Alon moved to assist him, and in short order, the pair had the blockage cleared. Leaning over, I made out a flight of stairs descending into darkness.
âWelcome to my bolt hole,â Soren murmured.
Before Alon or I could ask him what he meant by thatâIâd not known about this place, and from Alonâs expression, neither had heâSoren made his way into the basement and lit the candles lining the walls. Soon, warm, welcoming light spilled out.
Questions can wait for later, I decided, drawn by the promise of shelter. Slipping into the room myself, I took a moment to study Sorenâs refuge.
It was sparsely furnished, empty except for the three thin mattresses placed at the back of the room. The floor was clean and swept, but in one corner I spied a pile of broken barrels and pieces of glass, leading me to believe the basement had been a cellar in a past life.
As a refuge, it was far from perfect, but under the circumstances, it would do nicely.
Soren and Alon lay down on the mattresses, choosing ones on opposite ends, I noted. I dearly wanted to rest myself, but I decided Iâd had enough of their unspoken hostility. It was time to resolve things.
âCan we please talk?â I asked, crossing my arms.
Sitting up, Alon hunched his shoulders. âWhy? So, you can scold me again?â he asked surlily.
I tugged at my hair but refrained from shaking my head. âNo, so we can clear the air. We need to work together.â Crouching beside him, I laid a hand on his knee. âAnd that means being able to trust each other.â
Alon sighed, then hung his head. âIâm sorry,â he said hollowly. âI shouldnât have led us into that courtyard.â He looked up with a dejected expression. âAnd Iâm sorry you got hurt.â
I held his face in my hands and laughed lightly. âI know you meant well. Weâve been friends for too long for me to believe otherwise. But from now on, letâs⊠communicate better.â My gaze slid to Soren. âThat applies equally to all of us.â
âSheâs right,â Soren said, feeling the weight of my stare. âWe will only get through this if we work as a team.â
I gave him a pleased smile.
Alon gently removed my hands. âI understand, but staying alive will require hard choices.â He paused. âAnd sometimes that will mean taking the fight to the Devils. Are you two prepared for that?â
My smile faded, and Sorenâs expression turned serious. The axeman was right. Weâd killed and, whatâs more, we would likely have to kill again before everything was said and done, but that didnât make the situation any less frightening.
âI am,â I said firmly in unison with Soren.
Alon nodded. âGood. Iâm glad thatâs settled.â Lying back down, he asked plaintively, âCan I get some rest now? I donât think I can feel my arms anymore⊠or my legs.â
âOf course.â Backing away, I massaged my own sore shoulders. Sleep called to me, too, but I could feel Sorenâs watchful gaze upon me. Unfortunately, my rest would have to wait.
There was one more conversation to be had first.
Beckoning my brother to follow, I strode to the farthest corner of the basement. Soren came without protest, almost as if heâd been anticipating the request. Turning around, I faced him.
Sorenâs gaze was fixed on me, his expression shuttered and his face more closed than Iâd ever recalled seeing. Anxiously, I tried to decipher what lay behind the mask he wore.
My brother didnât look angry, not exactly, more⊠pensive.
âWe should talk,â I began.
âWe should,â he replied, giving nothing away.
âIs everything alright, brother?â I whispered, trying not to disturb Alon who, remarkably, was already snoring.
âWhat do you think, El?â Soren asked, throwing the question back at me in a tone scarily devoid of emotion.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, then decided there was nothing for it but to approach the matter head-on. âYouâre angry,â I stated.
He didnât respond immediately and when he did, it was with a frightening intensity that belied his previous calm. âOf course, I am. I was sick. Bedridden for days, and what did I find when I woke up? Devils on our doorstep. Not only have you and Alon somehow managed to draw the attention of the Butcher himself, but in the interim, my friend has turned suicidal, my sister has acquired a monster for a pet, and worst of all, sheâs become⊠sheâs becomeâŠâ
He stopped. Breathing in deeply, he exhaled carefully before continuing. âAnd all of this, all of this has passed without one single word of explanation.â He stared at me, almost pleadingly. âWhat happened last night, El?â
I shrank back. Soren hadnât shouted, but I could feel the hurt and rebuke in his words.
âWhat did you and Alon do?â he repeated.
I stayed silent, not sure what to say or even where to begin.
âWhen did you become a player?â Soren asked softly.
I swallowed. This I knew was the crux of the matter for both of us. How did I tell him? Would he understand? But fear held my tongue. Fear of what he would think, of what he would say.
âHow could you betray mum and dad so?â he asked, his voice so cold I shivered.
âTell me, El!â he demanded. âPlease.â
Tears rimmed my eyes. The day had been one chaotic mess of ups and downs and highs and lows. From seeing Soren on his death bed to healing him. From seeing Alon tortured to freeing him. From fearfully taking up the Class stone to the wondrous binding with Adalinda.
This was a mistake, I realized belatedly. I was in no condition to have this particular conversation. Not now.
The day had claimed a heavy toll, and I was both emotionally and physically drained. Better if I had waited another day.
But it was too late to back down now. Soren was before me. Angry. Hurting. And waiting for my answer.
He was my brother, and he deserved the truth.
âI⊠I⊠I had no choice,â I said softly.
âThere is always a choice, El. You know that as well as I do. You could haveââ
ââlet you die?â I interrupted harshly, my fear abruptly giving way to anger. âBecause that was the alternative.â
He fell silent for a moment. âPerhaps, you should start from the beginning.â
So I did.
I told Soren everything he wanted to knowâfrom my decision to raid the Devilsâ lair to how Alon had been caught and tortured, from what weâd found in the Black Sewers to Cantosâ threats.
âI had to save you, Soren,â I said, concluding my tale. âI was not going to lose you, not without a fight.â Stepping forward, I reached out to him.
He kept his arms crossed, rebuffing me. âBut still, El. Taking on the Devils? That was madness! Why do such a thing?â
I threw up my arms. âI told you, they were the only ones with the potion we needed!â I stared at him. âI did what I had to save you. Would you have done any less?â
Soren sighed, his anger deflating. âI wouldnât have,â he admitted. âYou know that. But youâre different, sis. My life is not worth nearly as much as yours.â
My brows creased. âIt is. It is absolutely worth as much.â I squeezed his arms. âWe are familyâand that includes Alon. I will always do whatever is necessary to protect you.â I glanced at the sleeping axeman. âHe would too, you know.â
âI know,â Soren said quietly. âI just wish⊠I just wish there had been another way. That you could have thought it through beforeââ
âThere was no other way,â I growled. âAnd we didnât have time! You were on the brink of death.â Stepping away, I paced the floor angrily. âWe did the best we could under the circumstances. And look. Here you are. Still alive and still breathing.â
âBut incredibly sore,â he said, deadpan.
As jokes went, it was a shoddy attempt, but I understood.
All might not be forgiven, or even resolved between us, but what I had doneâthe choices Iâd madeâhad not broken us, and my brother had not forsaken me.
We were still family.
Relief sang through me, and for a second, tears threatened to overwhelm me, but I choked them back. âPain is good,â I said, through a watery smiling. âPain means youâre alive.â
He tilted his head to the side. âNot all pain, sis,â he said solemnly. âAnd I am not ever going to be comfortable with you putting yourselves in danger for my sake.â
I arched one eyebrow. âAre you suggesting Iâm any less capable than you are?â
He grinned wryly. âNever.â
âRemember what mum and dad always used to say?â I asked suddenly.
ââFamily above all else,ââ he said, his smile fading.
I nodded. âI will always hold to that, no matter what.â
âAs will I,â Soren said gravely. âIâm sorry for questioning your choices. That was wrong ofââ
A loud snore interrupted him.
Our heads swiveled in Alonâs direction. âDamn, if he isnât loud,â Soren marveled.
I chuckled, feeling the last of the tension between us dissipate. Already, the challenges we faced didnât feel so insurmountable anymore.
âWeâre going to have to keep tabs on him, you know,â Soren said, turning serious again. âWe canât let him act so recklessly again. Today, we got lucky. The next time...â
âI understand why he did it, though,â I said, staring sadly at Alon. âAfter what Cantosâ men did, there is a darkness in him.â I looked away. âBut youâre right. We have to be careful his anger doesnât lead him astray.â
Sorenâs expression grew pained. âI hate that he had to suffer that⊠and on my behalf.â Seeing my sharp look, he shook himself. âBut enough of that. I wonât question his sacrificeâor yours. I understand why you two did what you did, and Iâm grateful. I truly am.â
He paused. âBut what I still canât wrap my head around is you becoming a player.â