Fields passed in a blur. They went in and out of focus as Mirage galloped forward, not saving any energy. It was a wasteful way of riding, the animal quickly got tired but both of the travellers preferred the rush of speed, wind’s forceful blowing.

Both animal and boy enjoyed the thrill of being the fastest ones around, miles disappearing under the hooves. Warm spring gale was their only companion in the wide space.

Ace would have liked that to last hours more but two days and it was over. Marion was already this close to the city. His recovery speed was unprecedented. Most of the army were surrounding him, few squads missing.

The camp could be seen spread far and wide from a hill and Ace wondered how it would be best to approach. He could always sneak in at night but that seemed tiresome.

“What to do, what to do,” he murmured to himself, looking over the whole camp. Most of the tents were dirty white, grey without any standing out. He was having a hard time identifying which one was Marion’s.

Could it be he decided to hide since the attack, hoping that would keep him safe?

Faulty logic but who was Ace to judge. It would mean he would have to examine his own - promising to help but not going all out. He could kill Marion and that would be the end, simple as that.

But no. He was going to try a dangerous gambit, something that might end up worse for the city, all because it was going to be more interesting. What did it say of him?

Ace pushed the though away and motioned for Mirage to descend the hill. Front entrance. Why should he hide like a killer? He was coming to ‘help’ Marion after all. Might as well everyone know it.

It wasn’t like he had a reputation to sully. Wing was an assassin, cold-blooded murderer and maniac. Betrayal and changing of sides wasn’t going to even leave a mark on his legend.

Couple of soldiers tried to stop his entrance and he disposed of them. It was good to show his intentions early so no one misunderstood. He wasn’t here to play games and be nice.

“Tell Marion I’m here,” he ordered a more official looking person. He hesitated and Ace glared at him, eyes flashing crimson. The man was gone in a blink.

Ace smiled internally. It was so fun to have his reputation precede him everywhere. One look and everyone was getting out of the way, doing his bidding. Fear was one of his most powerful weapons. Grown men cowered from his glance.

It didn’t take them five minutes to return with a favourable reply. A men in his fifties presented himself and said he would lead him to Marion. Ace nodded as if that was expected, following him on Mirage’s back. It was much better to stay on the horse and watch everyone from the high ground.

He was led to a tent that was just a touch whiter than others. Cleaner. Could it be that Marion had simply lost his own and this was no elaborate plan to hide? It brought a smile to Ace’s face. He was thinking too hard. This was going to be a piece of cake.

When the flap was opened, he dismounted and entered on foot. Two guards got in his way but a mere move of his hand’s towards a dagger hilt was enough to make them jump backwards, letting him pass.

“You should really get better bodyguards,” he suggested Marion who was sitting before a map on a wooden stand. It portrayed the whole Mora kingdom, pins marking various locations.

Few moments and Ace was sure Marion knew everything what was happening on land. His spies had to be everywhere, for not a single caravan was missed. Each and every were marked, different colours for different supplies.

The man turned to face Ace with ice in his eyes. “Why are you here?” When the kid didn’t reply fast enough he added. “And what’s with the mask?”

Ace shrugged, taking it off. “It makes people move along faster.”

“Why are you here? Did you come to kill me?”

“I considered it,” Ace answered, truthfully, moving to sit on a large oak table. His feet dangled in the air as he continued, “But then again, what would be the point?” He looked around the tent. “I need to be on someone’s side or its going to be boring.”

The man’s gaze drilled holes in Ace but he ignored it. Such little intimidation tactics weren’t going to work on him. Not so easily at least.

“I gave you ruins last time and you betrayed me. Why do you think I would trust you this time?” Marion asked finally in a grave voice.

“Because I never lied,” Ace answered. He jumped off the table and came to stand right before the man. “I gave you what you asked for. We never talked about me working only for you.”

“You’re a turncoat, betraying both sides. That is even worse.”

Ace tilted his head. “Is it?” He bent so they were eye to eye, noses almost touching. “I only see a prideful lord pissed that he was outplayed.” Insult thrown, he pulled back with a bright smile.

There was an audible sound of teeth grinding. Ace turned to inspect another map, ignoring noises behind him. The man could stew for a moment, he needed to understand who had the power here.

It took him good few minutes to wheeze out a question, “Why are you here?”

Ace whirled at the question, a fire in his eyes, “I need them to pay.” He clenched and unclenched a dagger that had made its way to his hand. “They need to die. Every single one of them,” he said making a pause on each word to punch in their importance.

His outburst took the man unaware and he close to leaned back from surprise. But that didn’t last long and soon little lights of interest sparked in his eyes. “So you want to tell me you’re planning on betraying them?”

“They’re the traitors,” Ace hissed like an angry feline.

“What happened?”

That was an easy one. “Didn’t like you survived,” Ace said, spitting on the ground. “Wasn’t thrilled about me pretending to have angels either. Called me liar and deceiver.” His voice grew dangerously quiet as he said the next thing. “Questioned whether I’m truly human or monster.”

“You deserve all that and more,” Marion said without a hesitation. “Silver Wing’s name is equal to a curse. You’re a monster that has no equal.”

Ace laughed. “I know,” he said in a merry tone but his eyes narrowed. “That does not mean you can call me that to my face. People should have some manners.”

It gave the man a pause. He watched Ace with calculating eyes, clogs turning in his head. The boy let them do that as he straightened. At some point he had bent slightly as if he was posed to lunge.

He wasn’t sure when had that happened. It was strange and fascinating at the same time how his acting took him places he never planned to go. Sometimes he wondered if it was him pretending, or some spirit took him over.

Many a thoughtless action begged for the second option.

Movement on his left brought his attention to the present. Marion was standing up, a pen held in his hand as if it was a dagger. “Are you going to betray me this time?”

“I never betrayed you,” Ace said with annoyance evident in his tone. “It was your own misunderstanding of our agreement.”

“Answer the question.”

“I won’t,” he said in a lofty manner. “Why should I when it is them who need to suffer?”

The man stared at him, trying to decipher whether he was lying but it was not meant to be. It was the same as trying to determine what colour a bead was in a locked box. You had a chance to guess right but it was so low as close to impossible.

Yet a decision was made by Marion. “You’ll tell me everything you learnt in their city and then we’ll see what you can do.”

“I will?” Ace asked more than agreed. He bobbed his head for a moment then lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Why not. It’s not like there had been anything useful.”

And then he told Marion about a secret benefactor, angel village’s new method of teleporting goods, new fightings styles and who was expected to come in aid but were still not moving. It took him good few hours to recount everything he’d heard and seen.

But the effect was achieved. Marion was close to brimming with joy, eyes shining as if he had just stumbled upon an undefended treasury. His hands flew over the papers, noting everything down.

Even when Ace had finished talking, his goose-feather pen kept on going. An hour passed like that and growing bored, Ace made his way outside. Mirage welcomed him with a joyous neigh and they went for a ride.

It wasn’t like there was a reason to hurry. He had got himself into Marion’s good graces at that was what mattered. For now, he could leave and have fun riding around, check up on the soldiers. L and Monthu were sure to want to know how this place was structured and how many people were present.

“Turncoat,” Ace said the word under his breath, tasting it. He had never planned to become one but now that he was taking up the role, it seemed like an interesting play. The fact that everyone already feared him and wouldn’t dare question him was a bit disconcerting but still.

People could stop allowing him in their most private meetings. They should know better than to trust an assassin and a murderer.

Why did anyone ever believe his word?

No one was going to answer him if he asked, and it wouldn’t be a smart idea in the first place. He did want them to trust him. It was part of this whole ruse.

But at the moment he had way too much time. Riding around was going to occupy him only for that long. What should he do while he waited for Marion’s resurfacing to the real world?

There was no one he knew in this place so visiting wasn’t possible. But leaving so swift might give wrong ideas to people. He needed them to think he was a nice little traitor. Which he kind of was but that wasn’t the point.

His wandering took him to a part where food was being cooked. Smells of herbs and spices assailed his nose. A certain past time came into his mind. It had been ages since the last time he made poisons.

Extra damage had come to be unnecessary in his killings but alchemy was a fun way to spend time. You never knew what might come out, life saving potion or death dealing toxin.

He found himself an empty corner and dismounted. Mirage wasn’t happy to be ordered to stand but did as told. What Ace needed to do, couldn’t be achieved while riding. More secrecy was required.

Behind a corner he activated [Shadow Veil], [Silent Steps] and made his way into the supply wagons. Two guards were near them, playing some card game. It would have taken an orchestra to distract them from their gambling.

Inside the wagon, Ace had [Flare] leave his cloak and searched through boxes and bags. Few contained what he needed, forcing him to visit more than half of the wagons. It took a good half a day for him to collect enough materials that would last him a couple of days.

At least it was easy afterwards to find a quiet corner. Wherever he moved, people parted as if he was a messiah. It was fun to annoy them like this for a time but soon he settled near a hill and made a tent for himself.

He had pilfered a quite large one so Mirage could enter and lie down at the end. It was a necessary evil since the horse had been angry at being left alone. Ace wasn’t sure what he would do when abandoned once more and for the time being didn’t want to find out.

His focus was on the two pots and a cauldron he had taken. Water was boiling in them and he had to choose what herbs he was going to put. It wasn’t an easy choice.

Most of the simplest pairings he’d done, and many of more creative. His favourite were the ones that made something special happen. Once purple gas started going which he’d run from until noticing it smelled nice and raised his stamina by a few points.

So what now? He put a myriad of random herbs without a care what they were and watched. Something was bound to happen. At some point. But not now. There was time and he went to curl near Mirage. The weather was still quite cold.

***

Four days later Ace found himself in Marion’s tent, no more than five kilometres from Lasran, facing a curious choice. “You want me to enter the city and spy for you?”

“Exactly. You might have been gone but you can say that you were scouting, pass some few details about my camp as a passage.”

It was a challenge for Ace to keep his face straight. ‘I already told them everything I found out.’ If that wasn’t enough, he was here spying on L’s behalf and now Marion was having the exact same thought.

Nobody wanted to keep him around. It would have been a chilly thought if it wasn’t so funny. Everyone vying for his favours and then sending him away. Apparently, being a double agent faced you with certain problems.

He turned away to hide the mirth in his eyes, focusing on the map. Lasran was surrounded from all but one side. His finger trailed the edge of marked camps. There were more of them than before. Marion had called in everyone he could. This was going to be the final battle, no more games of siege.

L knew that too. Around the lake his own army was entrenched. It wasn’t as large as Marion’s. Not even close. But they were ready to fight till death and more. There were rumours that L had gained an item that made his cathedral be able to spawn players three times before they were forcefully logged out by a death penalty.

No one knew if that was really true but word flew. Many player groups joined him just to find out. A number of guilds came from other countries. This was an unheard thing that needed investigating. If it showed up to be true, whole gameplay could change.

“Will you answer?” Marion asked with impatience lining his tone.

Ace turned to face him, a scowl on his face. “Sure. Why would I return to that nest of vipers?”

“You would bring their end by passing me their secrets,” the lord said standing up. He came to the map, pointing at two green pins. “There are things I still don’t know. This last group of thirty. Who are they? What can they do? They might be nobodies or those that will change the flow of battle. And I need to know.”

“Tell your spies to be more daring,” Ace suggested with a curl of his lip. “I’m not coming back there.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Question Ace hadn’t considered. If he did anything, it would result in a huge loss for defenders. He had pride but more than that he knew his capabilities. Previously he was strong but now... It was doubtful anyone could stop him if he really wanted to achieve something.

The game itself had granted him to so much power it was no longer fun. Ace had never wished to be god. What fun can you have then? Nothing can hurt you, there’s no risk, no danger.

So what could he do to satisfy Marion but not destroy Lasran? All the spells were out of the question. He didn’t dare use anything but his movement ones. The tornado was still at the front of his mind. And his Intelligence points had only grown since then.

That was a disconcerting thought. What was he going to cause this time? No, no magic for him. Stupid game, taking what was the most fun from him.

He turned to look at Marion. “I don’t know. You’re the leader here, aren’t you?”

A sour look was aimed at him. “I told you to go there.”

“And I tell you that’s not an option,” Ace said with an answering glare, crossing his arms. Was he going to fail now? By disagreeing to leave?

Marion stared at him for a long moment, not lowering his eyes or blinking. It was as if he was searching for something. Ace had no idea what but his gaze stayed still and confident. Whatever was judged, he wasn’t going to cower.

Fear was one thing identical in all his personas. Neither had any of it. Whatever he acted or became, cowardice just wasn’t in his blood. It was always better to stand in the way of what came, head held high. Or even better, be the thing that comes in others’ way.

“You will watch over my rogues. Without them knowing, you’ll follow and check their work, then report to me. I want to know if any are lying, giving me false information about the land or troop sightings.”

Ace shifted his head, processing the task. It was easy, simple and wouldn’t make him stand out. He narrowed his eyes on Marion. Did the guy just find the single task that would keep Ace’s abilities in check, not make him destroy any chance Lasran had at winning this war?

“Any more complaints?” Marion asked, noticing his look. There was repressed danger in his tone. Another no wasn’t going to be accepted graciously.

But that was okay. “Nah, it’s fine. Do you have a list or shall I find them myself?”

It would be troublesome but he didn’t want to annoy the man more than necessary. For all Ace knew, he could be on the edge of exploding. His aristocratic face was hard to read with the constant chill it permeated.

He was passed a scroll which on opening displayed hundreds of names with a small description. On closer inspection it showed up to be their orders. Convenient. “I shall be on my way then,” he said and left with a mock bow.

Outside met him with a bright sun. Spring was well on its way, promising warmth but not delivering. He wrapped the scarf tighter around his neck and mounted Mirage. There was some road till his first target.

***

Too easy. There was no challenge in the work. None of the rogues expected danger from their own camp and were careless. Following them was like going after an elephant’s track. Pretty hard to miss.

And it wasn’t getting any better. He was at it for two days now, coming up to the end of the list but none entertained him. Bored to death was a thing he was considering half of the time, whether it was possible.

Worst thing was, none of the rogues were even traitorous. If he found but one, he could think of some punishment. Interesting way to reveal him, or throw him in the midst of enemies.

That would be something to do, not just trail around like someone’s shadow. All he did was learn some useless facts, note that they fit what was reported and moved on. Another spy, another boring game.

Sound of hooves caught his attention. He was perched on a branch right above a small road. It was overgrown with trees, many a branch having fallen so no one used it any longer. What would anyone be doing here?

Before the rider could come into view he knew who it was.

Ace fell backwards, holding on the branch by his legs only. “Hey-oh!” he shouted out to the newcomer.

Mirage reigned in, almost throwing the rider off. He stayed by grabbing on the horse’s mane and leaning forward out of instinct. Was it not his first time riding a horse? One as large and passionate as Mirage?

“Ace,” the rider sighed, pulling on the reins. The horse bristled at that but after a few circles agreed to stay in one place.

“Monthu,” Ace answered in same, not changing his position. Blood was soon going to start going into his head but whatever. This was an interesting experience.

Newcomer watched him for a few moments as if thinking how to start. “I was looking for you. We have things to discuss. Do you mind getting down?”

Ace pulled himself up but didn’t go down. He changed his position so he faced Monthu and looked upon him from his high place. “I don’t want to, and do we really? I thought the chat system was a way to go in keeping spies where they were,” he said punctuating the last words.

“This is more important,” Monthu said dismissing his words with a shake of his head. He slid from his saddle and standing on the ground looked up. “Come here, Kirin.”

The boy stared at him with sharp eyes, ice glinting in their depths. It was clear he didn’t want to do this. By instinct he knew something was wrong. All his muscles had tensed, ready for flight.

Aiden didn’t utter a sound. He waited with patience, hoping against hope that the boy would come. So many things rested on that one move. Whether he was going to trust or run away.

If he was smart, he would choose to escape. In some deep part Aiden wished he would do so, even if he knew better. At least then he wouldn’t have to hate himself for what he had done. Well, was going to do.

It was still up for chance.

With a soft thump Ace landed on the ground. He crouched, looking up at Aiden. There was a question in that look, distrust mixed with longing. The boy wanted, no, needed, someone to believe in.

It was too late to change anything. Aiden stepped towards him and went to his level. “Can we talk?”

“What do you want?” Ace asked with gruffness in his tone. No, he would never sound like that. The mysterious, playful trickster hadn’t ever acted in this manner.

This was Kirin. A boy Aiden didn’t know but under any other circumstances would have liked to meet. There was so much more to him than the first look suggested.

And yet it all had to be shaken to the core. “Parents want to know more about you,” he said bluntly. Truth was the only thing he could give him in return for what he was planning to do.

“Why should I care about what they want?”

“They’ve questioned Par and know your name.”

Kirin froze in his stance, eyes growing large. Just better for Aiden to see the blade sharp hurt in them before it was masked. But betrayal stayed. It pleaded with him, not wanting to believe.

Soon anger blossomed, the cheeks reddening. Aiden grasped Kirin’s shoulders before it was too late. “I’m sorry,” he said in a broken whisper. “I didn’t know they were monitoring our movements. I’m terribly sorry.”

“You...” the boy started in a snarl but choked on the words. There was no word disgusting and horrible enough to describe the betrayal done.

“I know,” Aiden said staring right into those pale orbs that constituted for eyes. Had he really seen emotion there? It was hard to remember seeing anything in the emptiness of the ocean there. “It is my fault. Please, do not fault Par for it. It was my carelessness that caused this. I’m sorry. He just wanted to be your friend.”

“Friend?” Kirin laughed mirthlessly. He was returning to one of his masks. Ace most like. “I don’t doubt he did.”

Aiden shook him, hoping it would stop him from thinking clearly. “Please! It was my fault. Horrible as it was, I knew I couldn’t change anything so I wanted you to know the truth.” He squeezed the boy’s shoulders tighter. “Truth is all I can give you. And a sincere apology. I did not mean for this to happen.”

Boy’s eyes lifted to stare back at him. With a sudden clarity Aiden knew what they were seeking, and that they were going to find it. He wasn’t lying about his apology. He was truly sorry.

Laughter bubbled in his chest but he held it in. Along with the tears that threatened to leave. His sincerity, genuine guilt was going to be the thing that sold it to the boy. It couldn’t have been anyone but him.

“What do you want me to say?” Kirin asked, pushing himself away and standing up. There was a layer of veiled anger in his voice but it wasn’t aimed at him.

Aiden had made it. “I do not know,” he answered, following the boy’s lead. His knees ached from the prolonged crouching and he bent them a couple of times. It gave him time to think of what he was planning to do next. “I just wanted you to know as soon as I found out.”

Stone clicked as it was kicked from the road. Tuck, tuck, it hit on other stones before falling into the lush greenery on the side. “Have they already started the search?”

“This I don’t know. I overheard them questioning Tristain and came to find you as soon as I could.”

“How did you find me?”

Couple moments passed before Aiden grasped the sudden turn of the conversation. “Your old master said that if anyone was to find you, it’ll be the horse, and he had just the instrument to call it to us.”

“Of course, he did,” Kirin muttered more to himself than Monthu. The old man had more tricks up his sleeve than there were cards in the game. His ingenuity never failed to impress Ace.

But this was not the time for admiration. His identity was at stake here. And not even any of the game’s ones.

Kirin Harthorn. What would happen if they found that out? It would take time. Or so he hoped.

He pushed the emotion away. What was there to hope for? His was a rare name. Days were a doubtful proposition. It was most likely hours before his identity was known.

Why had he ever said his true name, anyway?

A look Monthu’s way showed him his own weakness. There stood a person that knew him and didn’t judge. Treated him as an equal. Respected him. What could anyone want more?

And that was the folly. You didn’t need to want more. This was too much already. He had known it would but still crossed the line. Happiness had never been promised to him. It was a childish thing, mad even to continuously strive for it, repeat the same mistakes again and again.

Hadn’t he learnt from Samantha incident?

She had been his friend while it suited her. Peer pressure, adult disregard, disagreements between them - they all led to inevitable falling apart. Still he had tried to save that ship.

Those months, years passed pretending to be a gentle soul, caring but lackadaisical. They were the sweetest in his memory but most regretted too. He had given everything to her, his whole self changed to meet her requirements.

But what did he get in return? A betrayal like no other. Mockery and laughter when he had showed the truth. When he had needed her the most, she hadn’t been there. Nobody had been.

So why did he believe this was any different? He hadn’t even known this person for a year. How could he begin to trust him?

And yet he did. There was something about the way he acted that annoyed Kirin and made him jealous at the same time. Deep within he wanted someone to coddle him like that too. Would it be wrong to be protected, sheltered from the world’s cruelty once in his life?

His parents had been too young to do that. They tried but school, work, pressure from friends and family. There was no time to shelter him from reality.

Sometimes he wondered if life was conspiring against him. Maybe it was because he wasn’t meant to live it?

Poverty for most of his life, cold, lonely home. In kindergarten his favourite teacher hanged himself right in the room they were sleeping. Kirin had watched him tying the noose, not aware what was happening. He had thought it was preparation for some new game they were going to play in the afternoon.

Then his parents started university and were never free. They looked at him once a week at best, where they kissed his forehead promising to find some time for him. It was just this week that assignments had piled up and the manager needed help at work.

It was truth, they had two jobs while studying. Not an easy task but that hadn’t made his loneliness any easier. There is a fine line between understanding something and being able to accept it.

Resentment had grown in his heart from then on. First it was just a small bud. Even the announcement of sickness hadn’t changed it much. But days passed and things went only for the worse.

The incident, his parents leaving for an internship. It had been the last straw. They still loved each other. He knew they had lived like wretches and worked themselves half to death because of him and was grateful for it.

But they had never been there for him. Not a single school event. None of his most important moments in his life. In each and every scene that had shaped him he had been alone. So very alone.

Shiver ran down his body and he wrapped his arms around himself. What was he to do now? What will happen now that his identity was known?

Ground held no answers. Neither did the trees or the sky. A bird’s welcome call wasn’t much help either. He had to make this decision on his own once more. There had never been anyone to help him choose what to do.

“You know I’m always here, right?” Monthu asked in a gentle tone. “It might take time for you to forgive me, if you ever will, but know that I’m your friend. I didn’t mean for this to happen. If there’s anything I can do to repair the damage, I would gladly do it.”

Like an underhanded kick, the words kicked ground from under Kirin’s legs. He wavered, barely managing to keep his balance. How had he known? It was as if he had read his mind.

Could he?

No, that was impossible. Even the game couldn’t pass the signals like that. Or at least he really hoped it couldn’t.

He was imaging things again. If there was such an ability, his charades would have been revealed ages ago. No one could read minds. It was just a coincidence. Eerie one but nothing to lose his mind over.

“I will think about it,” he said to the man awaiting his reply and jumped into the tree. [Shadow Veil], [Silent Steps], [Radiant Step] and he was gone. Off where others couldn’t follow.

There was a lot to consider, and even more to forget.