Author's Note;

Is it me or the last chapter has way too many views? What happened there?

Hope you enjoy this extra long chapter ^^

***

Fred kept on running. The mirror walls were growing closer around him, misshapen shadows taunting from the reflections. Was that him or someone was behind him?

He slowed to glance backwards but there was nothing. His own terrified eyes stared at him from a dozen of mirrors. No, wait! There was something moving. Terror gripped his heart and he started turned to run again. He had to escape. There was always a way out.

If he could only find it.

“Where you going?” a throaty whisper asked Fred. He froze in place, looking backwards with trepidation.

But there was nothing there. “Who are you?” he asked, his voice shaking so much he couldn’t understand what he was saying. But the voice did. It chuckled, showing beside him.

Without a thought Fred punched it but his hand encountered only cold glass. It broke from the force, sharp pieces cutting his skin. The creature, some shadowy figure, chortled . Fred rushed through the broken mirror to enter a circular room.

All around him were mirrors. His heart lurched as he noticed his entrance gone. Twelve reflections of himself looked back at him, each as perfect as the other.

Some shadow made its way into one, playing to be teasing the images. It pretended to pull his ears, bite into the neck. Fred’s body shook as he went for attack once more.

This was a game. If he only killed the creature, it would be all over. He repeated that to himself. Wishing with all his might it was true. Not believing in the least. His fist met the mirror, breaking it.

But as he pulled the hand back, the pieces glued back up. There were cracks lining the surface but it was whole. He hit again and it was the same, couple more lines adding up.

The creature laughed at him. It rolled from behind the mirror, pointing fingers at him. Then it stopped, eyes growing wide and motioned behind Fred’s back. The man fisted his hands, refusing to be taunted.

Next moment he saw a blade coming out of his heart.

Reda pulled her sword out, breathing heavy. The clown was dead. It was dead. Still, it turned its neck all the way around to make a face at her. If that wasn’t enough, his gruesomeness was reflected in a dozen mirrors surrounding her.

“You’re dead, girlie,” it told her, voice thick. As she stared, spiders started coming out of it. They crawled all over the thing’s face, body and then towards her. She jumped back, slipped on something and fell backwards.

As if sensing her misfortune, the little critters increased their speed. Reda tried to stand up, run but the spiders were on her feet already. She tried to trample them, kicked but they kept on coming.

Their little feet moved on her bare skin. A bite tore a scream from her throat. She flailed trying to get them off her but there were hundreds of them. They were coming and coming, crawling all over her.

Soon she was buried, or lost consciousness. It was hard to say what happened first.

Petal saw the lying monster and smashed its head with a hammer. She wasn’t certain it was dangerous but didn’t plan on taking chances. Something had gone horribly wrong.

One moment she was marching with her band of mercenaries and the next, she was alone. Mirror walls had risen to surround her and monsters of different ilk came at her throat. They ranged from shadowy figures and ghosts to clowns and moving puppet dolls. None were too strong but where had they come?

It was disconcerting. She had tried to contact her team members but only the most hardcore players replied. They told her they were having the same experiences, having to fight for their life in this unknown place.

Had they been teleported? Or was this a trick spell? Some ancient magical trap to prevent invaders from reaching the castle? If that was the case, they were in deep trouble.

Petal had been in a number of dungeons and had only once seen this level of chaotic magic. It had been long ago but her whole guild had been eradicated and none dared to enter the place since then.

Water dripped somewhere. Petal listened and made her way carefully towards the sound. Her hammer was held tight in right hand, battered oak shield in the left.

At first there was no change, mirrors in all directions. Five minutes of walking and then she was in another room. It was pitch black but she knew it was another circle. All the confrontations happened in them.

Carefully, she walked by the wall, trying to determine where the sound was coming from. Drip, drip, drip. It was close now. Was it in the middle? Should she venture there?

As if hearing her thoughts, candles lighted. Their warm glow fell on a macabre composition in the middle. For a moment, Petal didn’t understand what she was seeing. Then all energy fled from her, weapons dropping at her feet. Quickly followed by her body.

On a pedestal lay a heap of meat. Limbs cut off and thrown into a pile. It rose towards the ceiling, making a cone shaped structure. Around it like a Christmas garland was woven a string with heads of her followers. Each had an expression of horror twisting its features, nameless terror frozen in their blank stares. Candles were attached to their foreheads to illuminate them better.

So she would recognise more easily.

Tears mixed with screams until Petal was no longer sure what she was doing. Fingers tore into her scalp, clawed at her eyes, trying to get the sight out. But it stayed there. Those dead gazes looked at her with one question in their depths. Why? Why did she leave them to this fate?

She had no answer. No excuse. What was she to say? They had all died because of her. How could she have thought she was fit to be a leader?

It tore her to even consider that.

***

High above, a young child was swinging in the air. His hands were clenched into small fists, narrowed eyes rowing over the ground. They passed the few remaining players and set on a castle in a distance.

What he saw there brought a frown to his face. “Why am I even doing this?” he asked himself. “I destroy hundreds of lives to save a few?” He laughed. “Will they even be saved?”

It was a stupid question. He had saved the city. Marion was dead, his army would be gone to the last person in a few minutes. Why did he not feel satisfied then? It was as if he was missing something. Very important something.

Ace scowled at the thought. He knew what that was. Once again he had done something spectacular but was there anyone to congratulate him? Would anyone come out of their way to say he had done well? He could be proud of himself?

No. They would run in all directions, afraid to even meet his gaze. From now on, his name would become a legend in all the continents. It was known already but just as a petty killer. Some kind of a local loony.

This would change that. But what did it matter to him? When did others’ opinions mattered to him? It wasn’t like he had ever cared about them. He followed the rules only when they served his purpose.

“That’s crazy,” he muttered to himself, shifting in his position to take a look at the ground. Two people were still standing. He made them see things so they killed each other and it was done. He had won. Whatever that meant.

Without much consideration he flew towards the castle. There might be a person he could talk to. Maybe Monthu would understand him. That would be nice.

He stopped himself midway. “I’m not that clingy little child,” he hissed to himself. “I never was and not planning to start!”

Pushing himself off the fields he dived to the ground and found the tent he had cooked his poisons in. It was too large for him alone, but he put his back against the wall and closed his eyes. Time to log off.

After leaving the cabin, he checked his laptop but it was empty. No messages. Maybe his parents were busy, he thought and went to sleep. Keeping that illusion for hours took a toll on his mind. It was dull and making rational thoughts were like trying to swim in a swamp. Not the smartest idea.

Sleep took him the moment he lay his head. No nightmares plagued his mind and he woke up refreshed. Sun was trying to get through his curtains, peeking here and there but this time he’d closed the fabric tight. No random rays strayed to his bed, waking him earlier than he wanted.

It took him awhile to get up. The warmth of the covers begged him to stay. He surrendered to it for some time, napping another half an hour before managing to leave. The kitchen was half-empty so he had to go to a shop.

For a moment he considered just ordering something, but chose against. It was early enough he could get something closer to real food without encountering too many people. Most would be at work or in school for some three hours more.

Kirin ran his errands quickly and came back home with a bag of products. His cooking consisted of boiling five eggs but his parents would be back soon. They had promised to return on his birthday. It was next week, though, they hadn’t sent any notifications so far. Could they have been delayed? Or did they work overtime to be able to come to him? Well, it wasn’t the first time they were so busy they couldn’t warn about their coming.

Tomorrow or the day after, he would find them on the doorstep. Or have them wake him up from the game. He smiled at the thought. It would be nice to see their faces first thing after leaving the cabin. The dreary colours of his room were making him sick. All those toys and posters, silly things a child was supposed to have and enjoy.

He shook his head, making his way back to the cabin. Play now, have fun in real life later on. As he closed the doors, a thought struck him. With nimble fingers he typed in a password for opening from the outside, allowing innumerable amount of attempts. He had never used it before so not to give away his cabin had a password, but now seemed like a good time.

No one else would be able to interrupt his game. Just his parents. They would have to guess a couple of times until a thought would come. A memory of the time they asked him to remember something if he wanted a birthday present. It had been a fun outing, one of the best of his memories and it would put a smile on his parents’ faces. They would know he remembered, and appreciated what they had done.

It was going to be great. He checked everything was done and strapped himself in. Now there was a city that needed saving. Without him around it managed to get itself into trouble, repeatedly.

Mirage met him inside, neighing softly. Ace petted his nostrils before pushing him away. “Let me get up,” he said with a yawn. He stretched standing up, took a peek through the tent’s open flap. Evening had descended.

Sun’s disc had set beyond the horizon and night put its heavy blanket on the world. No moon shone to light it up.

[Flare] left its hiding place, giving the world a blueish hue. Ace smiled at it, sighing as he motioned for Mirage to go outside. It was time to return to the city. Doubtful anyone was waiting for him but still. There was no other place for him to go.

As he was getting on the horse, he caught a glimpse of himself in an abandoned pot. He was dressed in darkness with a fox’s mask on but no hood. His blonde curls gleamed, framing his ghostly face. Blueish light didn’t go well with his pale skin.

Or it was perfect depending how one saw it. This way he looked like a dead creature come back to life. Some horror of the past come to haunt people of today.

His missing hood made all the difference. Under it, Ace had hidden and Wing came out. The assassin was cloaked in shadow, his features hidden from view but now they were on display. Did Ace want to come in looking like this? Wouldn’t that be some kind of statement?

He smiled at the distorted reflection on the pot and pulled his mask upwards. It no longer hid the top of his face but rested on his forehead. “Perfect,” he said, taking Kris out from his bag and fastening to his belt. This wasn’t the safest way to keep a dagger but its shape would be known to many. A number of people in the castle would be intimately familiar with the intricate twists and turns of the blade.

For some reason, he felt it was important they knew who he was. From the outlanders, none would know Ace. Wing was a different talk but his trademark was fox mask and midnight blue cloak. Something he was missing now. Oh, and [Flare]. He made the little light raise higher so it hovered a head above him to the right.

This way it lighted his path little to none at all but looked dangerous. It showered him in ghostly colours while leaving his face in shadow. And he knew his eyes were crimson orbs. They always did that when he planned to do something crazy.

Or stupid.

Latter was clearly the choice now. But it was decided. He jumped on Mirage and whispered to him the city’s name. The horse neighed in disapproval but started to trot in the right direction. His pace was slow, giving Ace plenty of time to change his mind but he just gazed around.

Desolation was clear where they passed. Some days in-game must have passed while he slept but there was no longer any sign of the fight. Budding grass was trampled into hard ground, bushes broken but that was all. No bodies, pieces of armour or blood stains.

It was clear as if nothing had happened.

He had killed over a thousand players and NPCs, many more probably, but there was not the slightest sign. Wasn’t nature supposed to remember? Or was it the other way around? It didn’t care about petty human wars, continuing as if nothing had happened. In a game world just showing that much more obviously.

As he thought that, the city gates came into view. They were battered from the first assault, patched up after but the wear showed. To Ace it looked like they would crumble from the softest of touches. Maybe that was why no one closed them for the night?

When he approached, he felt two people huddling in the corner. They snapped to attention at his approach, barring the entrance with their spears. “Who wants to enter the free city of Lasran?” they asked in unison.

“Free city of Lasran?” Ace asked with a chuckle. Now that was a new title. “I dare say you better let me in,” he suggested as he heard a group of players making their way to him. “It would be better for everyone.”

“Is he trying to force his way in?” a young man in his thirty’s asked. He had a longbow on his shoulder and an array of throwing daggers strapped to his belt.

Behind him there were some ten players. All of them wore shiny armour and were armed to the tooth. High-levelled and rich. There was no question whether they were from around here.

The guards were puzzled for a second from such sudden aid. “Yes..! No...!” both said one over another. “We can deal with him. Its just a child.”

“Child?” the archer asked with his eyes narrowing. He came closer to take a better look and Ace let him, he even moved [Flare] to give more light. “So, the infamous murderer makes his entrance,” he drawled.

Being named child and murderer played on Ace’s nerves but he kept his temper in check. He wanted to get into the city, not start a new killing spree. No matter how much the person before him deserved it.

“What happened? Did the cat got your tongue, little boy?”

Ace closed his eyes for a moment longer. He was being taunted. The archer wanted to be attacked. For whether he won or lost, he could blame it on him. Who would believe an assassin’s word that he was taunted into it? Not that it was much of an excuse.

He turned from the man and faced the guards. “Let me in,” he said in a sharp tone. The two men cowered from the menacing aura emanating from him and moved to get out of the way.

But the archer stepped in. “Not so fast, little boy!” he laughed. “I need your credentials,” he said in a more serious tone.

That note of sombreness was what stopped Ace from activating [Radiant Step] and just leaving. He tilted his head staring at the man but there wasn’t anything special about him Dark brown hair, plain face and leather armour. It was as average as you could get.

He shrugged. “Ace, more well-known as Silver Wing.”

“I knew it!” the archer said with a hoop of joy, glancing at his companions to make sure they had heard. “I told you he would come! This city is his bane!”

“Really?” Ace asked with interest. “Please, do tell me. I haven’t heard this rumour yet.”

The man half-laughed, half-glared at him. “It’s not a rumour but the truth! Even if you started in Mora, your travels always bring you back here. Something must be here that you constantly return to check-up on.”

Ace sighed. “You’re reaching for things that aren’t there,” he told them the truth, squeezing his hips to make Mirage move forwards. “I have a contract with the city lord. Simple and complicated as that.”

“A contract would never bind someone with your strength,” the archer said with annoyance. He still stayed on the path, ignoring the horse that was moving straight at him. “L would never have anything to keep your interest.”

That was true but Ace had shared enough of it for the day. He put his hand on Mirage’s back and the horse leaped. The archer had to roll to the side or be hit full force by a muscular beast three times his size.

Wisely, he decided to dodge. Mirage touched the ground with a shake of its mane and galloped forward. There were shouts after but Ace ignored them. He aimed straight for the castle.

People noted his flight through the streets but few paid any attention. It was dark and his clothes blended in with the night. For all the people cared, he could be just another messenger. With his sharp hearing, [All Ears], he knew they were wondering where he was rushing, whether something had happened. But soon the topics shifted, conversations returning to their original tracks.

How soon he was forgotten.

He pushed that thought off and focused on the growing castle. Somewhere there people were waiting for him. Monthu and L. They would want an explanation. Hopefully, they weren’t asleep yet. Or gone. It would be just great if they had left the game to rest now, after everything had calmed down.

What would he do then? He didn’t get to entertain the thought for long as his patience made him look up the friend list. Both of them were online. Par and Aurora too. Hawk was present also but Ace hadn’t seen him in a while. Where was he?

Bright lights shone in Ace’s eyes as Mirage rounded the corner. He turn away for them to adjust, wondering what was going on. L’s castle had never been this bright. Every single window had a yellow glow in it while glimmering torches lined the walls.

Front doors were wide open, golden light spilling into the night. Sound of people chattering reached his ears. Their voices were indiscernible but cheerful in tenor. Glasses clanged in a far room and laughter bounced off the walls.

The merry sounds made a distinct contrast to the darkness surrounding Ace. He was all alone here while they were having fun. The horse neighed sensing his distress but Ace still jumped to the ground.

He had come all this way, he wasn’t backing out now. If nothing else, he could crash the party. That would give him something to do and refresh people’s memory. After all, he was a killer at heart. It was only natural for him to attack his comrades along with his enemies.

Nobody intercepted him at the doors. He passed as if it was his moved to where the light and sound was coming from. Each step was slower than the previous but he kept on moving. It was going to be fine.

He would just find Monthu and be gone.

As he approached the entrance, a trickle of sweat formed on his brow. He brushed it off with a sleeve while taking a deep breath. No one was going to notice him. He would just glide through and it would be over. There was nothing to agonise here about

One step in and he knew it had been a lie. As if by someone’s call, all eyes turned to him. Dancer’s stopped in their tracks, scuttling to their seats. Music stopped and silence reigned. Everyone stared with their breaths held.

Ace’s body stiffened but he closed his eyes, waited a moment and straightened. A mocking smile formed on his lips as he gazed over the crowd. “You celebrate the victory and don’t invite me?” he asked in a jovial voice. His tone stayed the same as he continues, but eyes flashed dangerously at the last words. “That’s bad manners.”

A squeak came from somewhere. Ace didn’t look that way but strolled through the ballroom like it belonged to him. He stopped before a table, taking a sweet. “Mhmm, this is quite good but it has too much sugar and that’s unhealthy. You know that, right?” he asked two boys his age with hands full of the things.

Their lips quivered as they met his eyes, then they dropped their loot and bolted. The sweets fell into a pitiful heap, staining the rich carper with chocolate. Ace shook his head at that and moved towards the musicians.

“Why so silent?” he asked with hands on his hips. “Should I teach you to play or what?”

There was terror in the musicians’ eyes but they lifted their instruments. Fingers shook and an instrument was dropped. The man looked up at Ace as if expecting retribution for such clumsiness. “Do you want me to pick it up for you?”

“No, no!” the man squeaked out and grabbed his violin. He held it so tight that wood should have splintered but this time it stayed on his shoulder. An attempt at music was made when he was ready.

The orchestra was either horrible or too terrified but their music sounded awful. Ace wished he had never started with them but it was too late to back out now. Whatever was begun had to be finished one way or another.

“Silver Wing,” a voice called from the other side of the room. Ace recognised Monthu standing on the dais right beside L. “The city’s Lord wishes to speak with you.”

“Too bad,” Ace told his musicians. “We could have had so much fun together,” he said as he turned. Then glanced backwards to add. “But you should really practice a bit more.”

He walked through the crowd with a sure step, meeting eyes with anyone who dared to look up. They would glance down instantly while his smile widened. By the time he reached the dais, he was beaming. “My Lord,” he said with a mocking bow.

“Wing,” L acknowledged him with a nod. “We have not expected you so soon.”

“That means I’m right on time,” Ace said with a laugh. He walked up the dais and pulled up an empty chair. Etiquette dictated that he should wait to be invited to sit, leave since this was the place for commanders and people of note but he didn’t care.

He was sick and tired of this place. Why were they celebrating without him? Why did L say he was too early? Was there something happening he wasn’t supposed to be aware of?

A quick look over the dais said there was no one he didn’t know. L, Monthu and some of their officers. None could be the secret he wasn’t supposed to find out. What then?

Empty seats caught his eyes. There were a number of them. Could it be the main guests hadn’t arrived yet? Then he was on time for sure. No way was he missing an encounter that should have been hidden from him. They weren’t going to easily get rid of him.

“Welcome to the Ball,” L said as if he hadn’t heard Ace’s tone. “Please, come sit on my right.”

That was unexpected. Why would L want him so close by? And in Monthu’s place? Something wasn’t right. He tried to think what it could be, but his mind came up empty. Everything seemed so normal. They had won. Marion was dead. There was nothing to stand in their way.

So what were they hiding from him?

Monthu mouthed for him to come. Maybe it was nothing too horrible?

“Well, how could I refuse such an offer?” he asked with a twist to his mouth as he stood up. He moved slowly but nothing happened.

Easily he took up his seat between L and Monthu. They didn’t say anything more to him but he could feel the tension. It was like a live vibrating thing between them.

Yet Ace could see nothing wrong. It annoyed him to no end and he found himself shifting in his seat. The cupcake he had taken was barely nibbled on. They had passed their nerves onto him!

But before he could exclaim in annoyance, sound of many booted feet reached his ears. He raised his head to see a dozen or so well-armoured warriors entering the ball. At their head was the archer from before.

He made his way towards the dais, taking note of everyone in the crowd. His eyes lingered longer on Ace. “So that’s where the stray dog was hurrying. I didn’t believe the rumours but you have trained him well,” he said jovially to L.

Ace’s fingers tightened on the utensils. That man, he was asking for it.

L stood up to greet the newcomer. “Welcome, Heighal. It is a pleasure to have you and your companions in my halls.”

“Sure, sure. It’s a matter that concerns the whole world, after all,” the archer replied coming to sit on L’s left. Others followed his lead and found places too. They took the empty seats, crowding the table.

In Ace’s opinion there were too many people here. He had a feeling it would be much more interesting to listen-in from below or hidden somewhere rather than sitting in the midst. Someone was surely going to try his patience. And he didn’t have much of it on the best of days.

When everyone settled, food was served. Ace ate with an appetite, wishing it wouldn’t end. But soon it was over and conversations started.

“Who are they?” he asked Monthu quietly when no one was looking.

“Representatives of all the kingdoms come to confer. Heighal was chosen as their spokesperson since he owns the largest guild in the game,” Monthu answered without turning his head. “He also despises you more than anything.”

“Why?”

“Does he really need a special reason?”

The words stung. Ace gave Monthu a half-hearted smile as he turned away, ending the conversation. He had heard more than he wanted. Truth was great but one didn’t always need to have it shoved his throat. There was a place for every meal but this wasn’t it.

He wanted peace now.

Too much, apparently. Conversations started a round of gossiping, most about him. He could hear them wondering about his origin, reasoning. Various ideas were put out as to why he followed L. None of them right.

It would have been interesting, even fun to listen to all that imagination running wild if he didn’t feel like he was an outsider. He was often the centre of attention but never outside the circle at the same time.

Now everyone kept on glancing his way, making meaningful nods but none approached him. Not a word was said his way while talks about him raged on. It was like he wasn’t even there.

Monthu on his right was talking to a magician and fighter. They were discussing the provisions needed for armies that were going to be here on the morrow. No, not here. Right by the monsters cave. The fight was upon them. One war was not enough.

On the left, L was conversing with the archer. They planned the approach. This would be the largest event in the game’s history. People from all the continents would fight together for survival. Many of them were already here, resting around the castle walls since nobody could find free space inside.

“Is everything okay?” L asked, somehow having felt his stare.

Ace yawned at him. “I am bored. Think I’ll leave.” It was the most polite thing he could manage at the moment. Annoyance was brewing under his skin, begging him to do something stupid. He was fighting it for the moment but it was hard to say how long he could control himself.

L had opened his mouth to say something, when Heighal sprung up. “I thought to wait till we were in private but seems like your pet is an impatient one,” he said, addressing his words to L. It was as if he couldn’t see Ace at all. “So here’s my piece. Everyone had agreed that your dog has to be put under a leash. He will have to be under constant surveillance until we have time to have a trial for him. Then, if we find him at fault for all his crimes, he will be expelled from the game.”

There were gasps from the crowd but Ace felt his tension ease. Now this was something he was familiar with, a confrontation. “And why do you think I will listen to him?” he asked in a voice overflowing with sarcasm.

“Shut it, dog,” one of the guests at the table snapped. Ace didn’t hesitate.

Before anyone could react he was on the person’s shoulders, Kris right in-between the armour pieces. “What did you say?” he asked sweetly in the man’s ear.

“You ani-” he started but the archer interrupted. He seemed to like talking over others. “L control your pet.”

Ace chuckled at the words, shaking his head. “Did you never consider that maybe it was the other way around?” He took Kris out from the mail pieces, its blade glistened with some poison. Now was as good a time as any to try it out.

He cut at the man’s cheek, waiting with interest for a reaction. It didn’t take long. The man’s body froze in motion, hands reaching to stop Ace’s dagger. A message popped saying the poison would last for a minute.

‘Pretty good,’ he thought to himself, standing up on the man’s shoulders. From there he jumped on the table, his previous stand crashing to the ground.

He advanced on the archer. “Did you think because I’m a kid that I would be just a playing piece? That you can simply move me around on the board? Yes, I’m in this city for a reason, and I help L from time to time. But don’t think that means I’m under anyone’s command. I have my own reasons for doing things. Ones you will never figure out.”

“And why’s that?” Heighal asked, standing his ground.

Ace had to admit he was a brave fellow. Most would have had run away by now. Or maybe the man was just an unbeliever. He didn’t think Wing was all that much. Just a legend bloated from all the attention.

“Because you don’t see me,” Ace said simply, taking a canister to pour himself a glass of wine. He raised it in a toast towards the archer and drank slowly. It was pretty good for an alcohol.

There had never been time for him to understand him why adults loved it so much. He sneaked a sip on various occasions and of different drinks but none had been good. They all burned his throat, making him want to cough.

But he didn’t.

And the whole ballroom just stared at him. He laughed at their stunned expressions. “That’s what I mean. You see what you want to see, not what’s really underneath. You’ll never figure me out. Not even if you had a thousand years.”

“You’re nothing but a spoiled brat,” Heighal hissed. His face had gone white but now was changing into red. But it wasn’t blind rage. Neither of his hands strayed towards his weapons. He knew he would never win such a bout.

Still, he had called Ace a brat. His own dagger flew at the man, missing him a hair’s breath. “I wouldn’t insult me again if I were you.”

“So, even the legendary monster has a soft spot,” the archer noted with a glint in his eyes. Brow’s furrowed as he, most likely, started calculating what he could gain from that.

Ace jumped off the table. The glass slipped from his fingers and crashed against the ground in million pieces. He landed right on them, walking towards his opponent without a care.

His hands were empty when he approached Heighal and stared down at him. It wasn’t easy being two heads smaller but he’d had practice. “Sure I do. And a dozen more. But I suggest you think before trying to antagonise me.”

He lowered his voice so people would have to strain to hear him. “I am Silver Wing, an assassin that has killed a whole town to the last person in a night. I am Ace, a mage with enough power to blast this whole city to ashes. Are you sure you want to push me over the edge?”

The man blanched off at his words. “You’ve been too long on your throne, your power in an illusion!” he barked but there was hesitation in his words. No longer was he as sure of himself. Maybe there was still a way to make him see reason.

“Have I?” Ace asked, turning on his heel. He skipped to the table and took a small cake. His hands became sticky but the little sweet was glorious. Why couldn’t he make such delicious things? Whenever he tried anything harder than an omelet or heating up food, it always ended in a burnt mess.

His apparent distraction seemed to anger the archer. “I am talking to you!” he roared, grabbing Ace by the hand.

The kid’s free hand darted to punch the man’s chest at such speed, he released his grip in surprise. Ace used that time to fall on the ground and swipe the archer’s feet from under him.

As he landed heavily on his back, Ace stepped on his chest with the left foot and bent to whisper in his face, “Don’t you touch me.”

He then whirled and started to stalk off the ballroom. No one tried to intercept him. From behind there were sounds of the archer standing up but he didn’t care. This was over. He was done. Enough nonsense for one day.

“Stop him!” Heighal wheezed out. “Stop him!” he repeated in a stronger voice. “We can’t let him leave this room!”

Ace turned to regard him with cold amusement. What did he think about doing now? Did he believe anyone could stop Ace if he wanted to leave?

But the man wasn’t talking to him. “Everyone, think about it! He’s the monster that has plagued this country for far too long! How many deaths has he caused? How many traumas? This game is teetering on the edge of being banned because of him! He alone is the cause of all our problems! If he just wasn’t here, this world would be a much greater place!”

He talked more and waved his hands for impact but Ace no longer heard or saw him. His words had struck home. Without knowing it he cut a wound wide open and poured salt on it. Darkness pulled at the edge of Ace’s eyesight.

This world would be better off without him. That nagging thought had always been at the corner of his mind. What good had he ever done to anyone?

By simply being born he destroyed his parents’ only chance at having a happy, carefree youth. They near killed themselves trying to provide for him. As he grew the sickness came and it ostracised their family.

Not in a way that they were no longer welcome, but that they were special. No longer anyone talked to his parents as normal people but the owners of a magical beast. All attention was showered on his little being, conversations always finding a way to come about him. It came to the point where there simply wasn’t anything else others would talk about.

He had come to be like a deity. This was a silly way to put it but that was how he felt. Kirin wasn’t a boy, he was someone special. A creature called Ang that always smiled or needed to be restrained otherwise. After all, a kid could only be happy. No worries ever entered his mind. Just play and sweets.

Bile rose in his throat. His presence had turned the villagers that way. They had been normal people before; friendly, joking, sometimes tired, other times exhausted. But they had been real. Normal. Not caricatures of human beings, mad fanatics.

All worlds would be better off without him.

He raised his head to meet eyes with a hundred people. There was fear in their depths but resignation shown too. And the archer was still talking. “... was not a fight! He slaughtered those people with their own hands! More than half received serious mental trauma! Isn’t this supposed to be just a game?

“How can he do this to others? He is insane and needs to be stopped, or many others will get hurt because of him! My very own sister was in that battle! She was a proud leader of a mercenary group, nothing scared her! But were you to see her now, she’s whimpering under her blankets, unable to voice her fears.

“

His voice rose as he talked. It was filled with genuine fury, hatred lining each word. Ace wasn’t surprised at the emotion. Monthu had been right. He was a monster. What did it matter why anyone despised him? There were a hundred reasons, all of them right.

“What could it have been to reduce strength to weakness, turn bravery into fear? Can you imagine what has to be happening in his mind to conjure such imagery? And we know, all he did was create an illusion! He sat in the air, watching and laughing as his imagery maimed other people!”

There were murmurs in the crowd. They were gaining courage. Some shifted in their places, hands settling on hidden weapons.

Ace wondered when they were going to attack him. It was so tiring to wait. They would come and he would kill them all. Each and every one, till there was not a single soul present in this room. Then he would pretend it had never happened.

Start another story.

Only problem was that despite all that there had always been a place to return to. Monthu’s group had existed for him. Sometimes they had been angry, sometimes annoyed but always there. No matter how well, or bad his story went, he knew he could return to the old one. Continue from where he left off.

But now that was gone. Hawk was still lost somewhere in the mountains. Par didn’t like playing when it was war, because he had been hurt and then asked to apologise. Aurora didn’t even like the game.

Monthu’s group had ceased to exist and all of that was Ace’s fault. He tried to push the guilt away but this time it held. It’s sharp talons cut into his skin, forcing him to look straight in the eye of his actions.

He was ...

“He is the Devil!” Heighal roared and the crowd answered with a scream of approval.

The devil... Well, that was as good as any word to describe him. Somewhat biblical and silly but it resonated with the meaning. After all, wasn’t the devil a form encompassing all human fears? And Ace fit that description to the letter.

He was crazy, unpredictable, cruel and mocking. His young age only made it look more wrong. Children weren’t supposed to be like this. He was an abomination.

“Don’t you think you’re going too far?” a voice asked from the dais. It was clear and strong, reaching to the far corner of the room. “You call him the devil for doing what he was begged to.”

“What?” Heighal asked, staggering a step back from the unexpected assault of words.

Monthu turned towards the crowd. “Don’t you feel any shame for conspiring to kill a young man?” he asked, looking at each party member in turn. Most stared back at him unblinking, sure in their belief but a few cowered. They turned away from the stage. But his next words called their attention back.

“You condemn him for saving the city. But what right do you have to do that? His actions might be debatable but what did you do? You hid behind your walls and hoped to live. You didn’t want to experience death even if you knew it would be short-lived.

“Instead you sent others to do your work. He was one of those sent with an order to do whatever he can to protect this city. And he did it. Not only once but twice. Twice, you hear me?

“First he found a way to give us so needed time. We did our best with it but it was still not enough. He had tried to prevent the worst, but there were no more options left. The city was to be destroyed or he would have to do something immoral.”

Monthu’s words grew in strength as he continued enrapturing his audience. Young child in the back most of all. “And he chose! You think that was easy? He’s a killer you would say? True. He is an assassin but this is a game. Some people like creating empires, others making art while others the adrenaline rush of fighting for their lives.

“That does not mean they enjoy killing. People don’t die here. This is a game!” he roared to the crowd. It made the people shuffle in the seats, their expressions ranging from white sheen of fear to pinkness of embarrassment. Monthu gave them time to take in his words before returning to his speech.

This time he started on a softer note, making people quiet down to hear him. “However, this time was different. He is an assassin, one person couldn’t kill a whole army alone. So he chose. For you ungrateful cowards he risked his own sanity. He did what you can’t even comprehend! Can you imagine the pain of having to see the horror of that place he created? You caught only glimpses while he had to live it! And it’ll never leave his mind! All done for your sakes!”

Something moved on his left. Monthu looked at it from the corner of his eyes and saw Heighal stepping forward. He had crossed his arms, determination and indignation clear on his face.

This was not what Monthu needed. He had to kick this inquisitor down from his pedestal. “You!” he rounded on the man with an accusation in his voice. “You are the very worst of the lot.”

The young man brittled at his words. “What? I didn’t...”

“Exactly,” Monthu said with a chill in his voice. “You did absolutely nothing. You had the largest army this world had seen under your command and did nothing. The fact that you had agreements and alliances with the city lord didn’t make you move a single finger.

“Worse your very own sister fought for the enemy. And you dare to rally people against Ace? He saved the city while you as well might have been on the enemy’s side, yet you dare condemn him?” He waited a second than added. “Who do you think you are to choose for the people of this city? Or do you think them so stupid they can’t make choices without your aid?”

A look from the corner of his eyes said his ruse worked. The crowd looked surprised for a moment, then indignation lit in their eyes. Heads were shaken in disapproval, hands crossed while a low murmur rolled through the room.

He had them now. “So?” he asked coming to stand before the man. They were close to the same height, but Monthu had the whole crowd behind his back. There was no way this youngster could stand against the pressure.

Heighal was smart and crafty, daring but it was clear he was a rich man’s son. The way he talked, moved, his whole presence called for attention. It made Monthu believe the man got what he wanted more often than not. He wasn’t used to fighting too hard. Just the right word here and there, and it was done.

But he wasn’t getting it this time. Monthu had seen the way Ace had looked after being insulted numerous times. He had tried to calm himself, keep the anger in but there was a limit to everyone. Still, he had not killed. It was a show of more restraint than Monthu had ever thought him possessing.

Yet, the thing that made him stand up was the expression on the kid’s face. Everyone had been watching Heighal so no one noticed, but Ace was listening in the back. At first he was amused but soon his smile faded, his face twisting with emotions coursing through him.

His eyes were too far to see but Monthu could imagine seeing the depths of suffering there. He wouldn’t be able to hide it. His body was already betraying him. The kid’s hands wrapped around himself as if holding him together, something wet glistened in his eyes.

And then it was all gone. His muscles loosened up, stance straightened and he turned to gaze at Heighal with an apathetic look. The blankness of his expression scared Monthu more than anything in his life had.

“I -” Heighal tried, bringing Monthu’s attention back to the scene at hand. “You just want to discredit me!” he said in a shrill voice.

‘You’re doing it yourself,’ Monthu thought but didn’t tell him that. The man would have to learn that for himself. Instead, he pushed him farther now. “Am I? Did I lie?”

“No, bu-”

“Then answer my question without any excuses!” Monthu growled at him. “You slink and mislead, try to fool everyone but lose your calm when faced with the truth. You could have solved everything but didn’t. And now that someone else stood up for the task, you want to discredit him. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

The crowd echoed his words. Boos and hoots rang loud in the large room. Heighal turned to face the people, unable to comprehend how this had happened. One moment they had been in his pocket and the next shooing him off the stage.

His people quickly stood up from their places, coming to surround him. That moment both Monthu and Heighal knew he had lost. The way they fell into a protective circle showed that he feared being attacked. He was guilty of something.

Whatever that was, the crowd did not care. Their voices rose in anger, disappointment. Some even shouted their disgust at the man. Heighal was done for. He quickly hightailed his way out with L chasing after. “It was nice of you to visit! I hope we can have a pleasant ride tomorrow!”

Monthu ignored them all and made his way down to the back of the dais. From there he discreetly joined the roused people. They had stood up and were talking in elevated tones, words spilling out in a rush.

He quickly made his way to the back. Ace had moved to the shadow, his form concealed by the darkness. Only his pale face was visible.

But that was enough. Monthu took his hand, “Shall we head out?” The boy didn’t answer but didn’t resist the pull either.

They walked silently through the eerie castle. The quietness, lack of light was in stark contrast to the celebratory room they had just left. It was also refreshing. Monthu thought he understood why the kid preferred this kind of place.

There was no one to interrupt you. No sound to disturb your peace, distract your mind. Troubles could be left behind since all your senses had to strain to survive in this environment. Was that the sound of wind or a sword brushing against brick? Did he see a shadow move or was that just a trick of the torchlight coming from outside?

“Why did you do that?” the kid asked suddenly.

Monthu stopped and turned to face him. Was that the thought behind his troubled look? “Because he was talking nonsense? He had to be shut up.” He didn’t admit he hadn’t planned for that to happen. Only the pain in the kid’s body language compelled him to act.

“But there was nothing for you to gain from it. People might have even forgotten about my lie that you were my boss. Now they would be even more sure of that.”

He hadn’t considered that. It dampened his mood somewhat but the expression on the kid’s face assured him he had done right. The fragility in those blue orbs was unmistakable.

With a sigh, he lowered himself to the ground. He then petted the place next to him. Ace looked uncertain but followed.

“I don’t care what people think,” he said, not looking at the boy but the wall opposite him. “I would like to say that but it would be a lie. I do. Still, that man was wrong. He had no right to accuse you. It was all of our fault for not being stronger and able to stop the danger ourselves. You saved this city. That is the important part.

He turned to smile at Ace. “I just defended the defender. Sometimes even the strongest need help.” His expression sobered when he thought about his reputation. “As to what that will mean to me, we will see. We have to deal with problems as they come. There’s no point in worrying about a future that may never come.”

This was a lesson life had taught him hard. So many things going wrong, it had repeatedly seemed like the end of the world. Yet somehow, he was still here, a successful businessman with enough free time to make a name for himself in a game.

“Kirin Harthorn,” the boy whispered softly, leaning to rest his head on Monthu’s shoulder.

“What?”

“My full name is Kirin Harthorn. I wish...” he started but cut off the sentence. Instead he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. As if upon an afterthought he added. “Visit me sometime.”