by V. A. Lewis
"And that’s why I came here, Melas. Because I don’t want to do that. I don’t want it to come to that."
I wanted to say something; I almost couldn’t resist the urge to reject whatever she came to tell me without even hearing it. But I knew I was just frustrated. I would simply be laying my grievances with the situation on her, and that was not right. So I bit my tongue, choosing to listen instead.
"It doesn’t have to come to that," she said. "Saintess Lilith will continue pursuing you, yes. She will try to take you in for whatever reason you refuse to disclose with us. However, you don’t have to fight her alone.
"You don’t have to convince all of us to help you, Melas. Because most of us already want to help you. After you left— Braz, Kai, and even Jack tried to convince Ginah to help you. You’ve aided us all when we needed your help. It only makes sense that we’d want to offer you our help back."
"It doesn’t matter," I said, drawing my lips into a thin line. "As long as Ginah doesn’t want to help me, it won’t make a difference. I still won’t get to the Taw Kingdom."
Lisa titled her head to the side, eyeing me with scrutiny. "You don’t realize it, do you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ginah wants to help you," she said, smiling.
"What?" I narrowed my eyes, staring at the satisfied look plastered on Lisa’s face. "No she doesn’t. She turned me down."
"Well, you’re wrong about that. She didn’t turn you down. She wanted you to give her something to convince her to help you. A reason to get involved."
"I…" I trailed off. Was that really what Ginah was trying to get out of me? I was so certain she would just leave me for dead— that was the logical choice, after all.
But people were not rational creatures; I was aware that I didn’t always act in my utmost best interests, yet I did not consider others were the same as me. For one to only make the right decision, they would have to be some sort of… god.
My eyes flickered as I remembered the jerk god who killed me and put me in this world for his own reasons— who was responsible for the Abominations that had brought too many deaths to count. No, I thought. Either gods aren’t perfect either, or he was no god at all.
I looked back up at Lisa and saw her eyes were twinkling; she knew I was still keeping something from her, just like when we first met. I had secrets, and while many of them were revealed, I still held some out of stubbornness. One which I didn’t need anymore.
"So, what can you give Ginah?" she asked. "What can you give us to get us to help you?"
I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply. I knew Ginah— the pirate Captain who was in charge of the life of so many. Who held it to herself to protect those that sought her out. To save a city and possibly a country from something that could bring it to ruins. But there was a different Ginah. One that was tired. One I knew that wanted something else.
"I might just be able to do that," I said.
Lisa nodded, then offered me a hand to stand up. "Well then, what are you waiting for? Let’s go speak with Ginah."
I eyed the hand for just a second before taking it. I stood up, lowering my bag back down to the floor. I paused as she gestured for us to go. "What’s wrong?"
"Why?" I asked, looking up at Lisa. "Why would you want to help me?"
"Because," she said, snorting, "I’m not a terrible person."
"Is that really it?"
"Well, no. I also kind of like you, Melas. You’re… odd. And slightly scary at times when you threaten me." I grimaced but she just grinned.
"I’m sorry."
"Don’t be." Lisa raised her shoulders in a shrug. "I had known you were eccentric when we first met, and as I said, I was curious about you then too. But now that I’ve gotten to know you more, I can’t just let you die to some Saintess, can I?"
I hesitated, looking up at the young woman. Could I trust her? I had been torn over that for the entirety of the time I had known her. I thought money could buy her loyalty— and perhaps it did at first.
But that was not something that could be held forever. Trust was something you had to give others. No one would ever trust someone who didn’t trust them back. So I had to trust her— to trust them. That this plan I had hatched in my head would work. That they would not betray me and leave me for dead.
So I spoke slowly, mustering up a smile. "Thank you."
She just smiled back. "You know, you aren’t so intimidating when you’re not wearing that mask."
I scowled, but Lisa just started laughing. As if she told some sort of funny joke even though she didn’t. And yet, I slowly felt my face relaxing as I laughed with her too.
Then from behind her, Gennady snorted. "She really does, doesn’t she?"
The two of us paused, turning to stare at the Dwarf who had been standing at the doorway the entire time. He furrowed his brows.
"...what?"
Lisa just sighed and I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"It’s nothing," I said.
"Wait, did you two forget I was here?"
"Come on, Melas. Let’s talk to Ginah."
"C’mon, I didn’t mean to ruin your moment! It’s not my fault you lot forgot about me!"
He ran after us as we left the room and headed back to speak with Ginah. And when I spoke to her— convinced her to help me— all I could do at that point was trust that this plan of ours would work.
Chapter 36: Trust
"Thank you, Lisa," I said, tipping my pointed hat at her.
"Of course, it’s not a problem at all." The young woman smiled innocently back at me.
The two of us walked up the gangplank and onto the ship; I set foot onto the wooden deck, throwing my gaze around this ship for the first time. This was not the ship that had been a temporary home for the first time. That had not been a very large ship— almost like a brig, but slightly larger and made out of more sturdy materials. This ship on the other hand was much larger, yet far more fragile looking— it definitely wouldn’t hold up if attacked by spellcasters more powerful than myself. It was built for long travel at sea, not for combat or boarding other ships.
Ginah nodded to us from where she stood with one hand on the helm. The pirate Captain then turned to address the rest of her crew.
"We sail!" she bellowed, her voice resounding throughout the cavern.
I grimaced, rubbing at my ears. "She’s loud, isn’t she?"
"That’s what it takes to be a leader, I guess," Lisa said. "I’m not one, so I wouldn’t know."
"Right." I glanced one last time back at the cove as we slowly left our hideout. It was empty— the beach was completely cleared out, as if no one had ever stayed there. "I still can’t believe you convinced Ginah to escort me to Jahar’taw."
She just shrugged nonchalantly. "You did it yourself. I just gave you a tiny push."
"Right," I said, turning to meet her gaze. "Still, thank you."
"Don’t thank me just yet." The young woman shook her head. "Thank me if it works out."
"I really hope it will…" I trailed off, looking out into the dark night sky ahead. It was cloudy, but not exactly raining. However, I couldn’t ignore the possibility that it would become a violent storm later on. "It’s a smart plan though."
"Take advantage of nature— of what would normally be an impediment. That’s what us smugglers do."
I grinned and she smiled; since she could see my facial expressions, she was no longer as uncomfortable around me. Perhaps it was the fact that I was a kid that disarmed her apprehension, or maybe she was just trying to gain my trust again in a way that served to benefit her. I wasn’t sure, but I had to trust her.
I had to trust them. All of them.
Our ship exited the mouth of the cavern, entering the open air where I was met with a thin layer of chill that wrapped around the night like a cold blanket. A shiver ran up my spine, but I dismissed it as nothing more than a result of the cool winds that threatened to blow my pointed hat off, and not a premonition of what
was to come.
We had just entered open waters when I caught sight of the first ship coming from our right. It was not The Lightbringer’s Vessel— it had sunk during the battle in the docks of Luke. However, I recognized the design of it as one belonging to a mana ship.
Accompanying it from behind came two smaller ships. They weren’t mana ships like the first, although they were smaller and quite evidently designed for speed over anything else. And yet, I couldn’t pay too much attention to either of those ships as it was drawn to the figure standing on the first ship.
Saintess Lilith was standing on its deck, spear in hand, and while I couldn’t quite make out her facial expression, I was pretty sure she was smiling at me. It was an ambush.
"What… how…" I stared in shock as the ships came closer and closer. But they weren’t just getting closer to us— we were getting closer to them! I whirled around and faced Lisa. "You—"
The young woman jumped out of the way as I drew my pistol as fast as I could, instantly firing multiple bolts of energy that struck the wooden bulwark of our ship. She barely dodged out of the way as Jack came charging at me from behind.
He had both his short swords already out in hand, and he easily sliced apart the mana bullets I sent at him. I barely rolled out of the way as he tried to tackle me to the ground. I brought out a hand, magic circle beginning to form in it, before I was struck across the back by Braz.
The pirate kicked me, nearly causing me to stumble, but I managed to catch myself and whirl around to face him. I sent a Force Binding out at him, however he was fast. I knew he was fast. He easily danced out of the way of the snare, closing in the distance between the both of us.
But I planned for that. The Frost Javelin was already forming above my head. Braz’s eyes widened as he saw it adjust its position mid air, its tip turning to face him—
And the icy projectile shattered as Kai blasted it with his rifle. My gaze snapped at the man as he lowered his weapon, wisps of smoke coming out of its barrel from the powerful shot. I cursed at him.
"Hey now, should a little girl like you really be saying words like that?"
I turned around to see Saintess Lilith standing on top of the wooden bulwark, staring down at me with the eyes of a hawk finally seeing its prey. Her ship was still over 30 feet away, and yet she somehow crossed the distance with a single jump, landing nimbly and quietly I hadn’t even realized she was there until she said a word.
Both my hands snapped up, spell circles quickly forming on them and in the air above me. I had never cast more than two intermediate spells at once before, but my adrenaline was pumping and I was moving without thinking. Somehow, it worked and the Explosive Orbs came into existence alongside the Stone Spear, hovering just behind me as I sent a Wind Blade and Fireball at her.
Lilith simply let the blade of wind hit her— the aura around her protecting her from the attack. The Fireball was a moment slower, and she actually blocked it with her spear, knocking it aside like it was some sort of baseball thrown by a kid.
She flashed me a grin before she flipped over the Stone Spear, moving much faster than the rapid projectile with ease. She flew through the air, coming at me as I panic rolled out of the way. I left my Explosive Orbs behind, spreading them out so she wouldn’t be able to go around them.
The Saintess simply took the blast, the explosions creating a brief shimmer in the aura protecting her. It remained intact, of course. However, there was clearly some damage caused by the attack. There was no way I could shatter it with a single spell, but perhaps if it accumulated enough damage, I could actually hurt her.
I put more distance between myself and Lilith as I readied my next spell.
"Just give it up, Aria," she said casually, spinning her spear before suddenly stopping and bringing its butt down on the wood ground with a thud. A dangerous look came over her face as she continued. "You’ll only get yourself hurt if this continues. Which— fine by me. But if I accidentally kill you, how can I get you to confess your sins to the Church?"
I grit my teeth in frustration. I aimed a finger at her, ignoring her warnings as I cast a Lightning Strike. There was a crackle, and the lightning bolt came crashing down from the sky right at her. Lilith just sighed.
"Alright, that’s enough of this."
She brought her spear up, intercepting the lightning. It flashed for a moment, and a partial red dome of energy covered her from the spell. Saintess Lilith held the barrier up like it was an umbrella, letting the lightning splash off of it before the barrier dissipated.
Lilith widened her stance, finally gripping her spear with both hands as I felt a surge of mana come from within her. She took a step forward as I braced myself for whatever she was about to do—
"Got her!"
I felt someone come up at me from behind. A pair of rugged arms roughly wrapped around me, pinning me to the ground as I struggled to break free. But I couldn’t. Braz was too strong for me.
I wriggled on the ground for a moment as he clasped both my hands behind my back. "Let go of me! Let go of—"
There was a clink as a cool pair of manacles closed around my arms, binding them together. I froze as the old feeling of being chained up sent a shudder down my spine. I began to thrash about in the ground as Lilith and Braz backed away from me, allowing me to move once again.
I turned to the Saintess as she took a skip and a step back. Did she really think a pair of chains could stop me? I had magic. I was no longer the same girl I was before, unable to act just because a piece of metal bound my hands together. I reached for the mana in the air, preparing to cast a Fireball—
And I froze. I could feel absolutely nothing.
"Antimagic manacle," she said, smiling sweetly down at me. "Try all you want, but no matter what you do, you won’t be able to cast magic while wearing these."
"Wha… how—" I was speechless. There was an item that could cancel out magic? How was that possible?
"Designed by the greatest minds of the Holy Xan Empire. Don’t worry if you’ve never heard about them before. They’re brand new— still in trial. We’re not even sure if there’s a limit to how much magic it can nullify. However, after all the problems your mother and the Shadow’s Evangelium caused the Church for so long, they decided to commission these for development. So we can actually detain you heretics for a proper trial rather than giving you the painless deaths you don’t deserve on the battlefield."
I just looked wide eyed at the Saintess as she finished her explanation. Braz and Jack picked me up by the side as I said not a word. Lisa and Ginah came up from the side to talk with Lilith.
"Where’s our payment?"
"I told you, you’ll get it when we deliver her to the Church. Don’t give me that look. You can even keep her until then— make sure I don’t run off before you get your reward."
"What do we do with her, boss?"
"Lock her in some place she can’t cause any trouble."
I ignored the conversation between Lilith, Ginah, and Braz. Instead, I focused only on Lisa as I passed by her.
"How could you?" I asked, voice quivering.
She shrugged. "I told you, I like money."
I was dragged down to the bottom of the ship by Jack and Braz as Lilith taunted me. "Next time, try picking better friends, Aria." She started laughing as if she just made the funniest joke in the world— like the maniac that she was.
And I couldn’t help but snicker as well.
***
One week ago.
Ginah placed her hands on the table, leaning forward onto them as she watched Melas leave the room. She wanted to sigh in relief.
She had been nervous. She knew that helping the girl would have only been detrimental to her and her crew, so the fact that Melas chose no to press the issue any further made her feel like a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
The Dwarf— Gennady— chased after his companion, but stopped at the door to leave one last comment. "You… you’ll really l
eave a child like her to die?"
She flinched, drawing her lips to a thin line. "That’s not what I’m doing. I’m simply doing what’s best for my crew and Melas knows it too."
He shook his head and left the room. Ginah did not watch him go. She tried to focus on what came next now that this problem had been resolved by itself. Like for example, where to evacuate the remaining noncombatants within her group in the off chance that the Saintess tracked them down.
Even if Ginah had officially cut ties with Melas now, she still worked with her for a period of time. Lilith would surely want some answers as to where Melas had gone, and considering her reputation even here in Vitae, Ginah was sure she would resort to violence if necessary.
And that was not even the main problem Ginah had to deal with now. The Elise was unofficially gone— soon to be official— and there would be a massive power vacuum in Luke’s underworld. She had to participate in the power grab, else all her efforts so far would have been to waste.
The pirate Captain was not too enthused to take part in such activities, but it was necessary if she wanted the city to retain some of the stability it currently had. If things devolved too badly, her efforts to destroy the Elise would have been completely counterproductive.
Ginah rubbed at her temples as she considered what next had to be done. She was so concerned with this problem, she didn’t even notice Lisa leave the room. Only when Kai placed a hand on her shoulder did she look up.
"Hey, you alright?"
"I’m fine," she said, giving him a soft smile.
Kai hesitated, averting his gaze for a moment, before trying to reassure her. "Don’t worry. I know it was a hard decision for you to make. Personally, I disagree with it, but I’ll stand by it when we have to explain it to the others."
She blinked in confusion a few times, processing what he said. Hard decision? What is he talking about—
Then she realized that Kai was referring to Melas. Ginah frowned, taking a step back. "What?" she sputtered. "That’s not what I’m worried about at all!"