by David Aries
She quailed. “Of course not…”
“That’s right. You’re not that kind of person. You talk tough but when’s the last time you killed anyone? Guards jumped you, thugs attacked you, punks tried to get in your head. You spared them all.”
“I was just being sloppy.”
“Don’t gimme that. You spared them because that’s who you are. You’re a protector, not a killer. That’s why you wanted to be a guard. And why you became a hunter. It’s why you saved my ass even though you hate my guts.”
Titania averted her eyes. “Don’t talk like you know me.”
“I know you well enough to know what you ain’t. You wouldn’t beat yourself up if you enjoyed what you did. You wouldn’t have risked your life to stop me doing the same.”
“That doesn’t change what I’ve done!”
“Of course it doesn’t. There are some mistakes we can’t change, no matter how hard I try,” I said through gritted teeth. “That doesn’t mean I hate you or blame you or anything like that. None of this is your fault. It’s all Ramses's doing. He’s the one who made you do it.”
“I still listened.”
“And quit right after, vowing to never obey him again. Am I wrong?”
She shook her head. “At first, I thought it was a mistake. I asked her about it. She led the assault; killed more than anyone.” A growl trickled out. “She didn’t even hide it. Told me it was a soldier’s duty and I should quit if I couldn’t handle it.”
Magnesia’s coldness never ceased to surprise me. “And you did because you’re nothing like her.”
“But…”
“Can it. I’m not lying to cheer you up. You and her are nothing alike. She wishes she could be half the woman you are.”
“Is that so?” Magnesia’s monotone voice responded.
We jumped from our skins and stared at the tall orc. She’d somehow slipped into the entranceway without so much as a sound.
“You two look cozy,” Magnesia said, words lacking any emotion. “Finally got yourself a boyfriend?”
“How long have you been there?” I growled.
“Long enough. It was quite the story.”
“You saying it’s a lie?” Titania snarled.
“No. Every word was the truth. Twenty-two months ago, we exterminated the town of Sterne under the ruse of foiling a terrorist plot.”
My heart rate soared. I hadn’t doubted Titania’s tale for a moment but hearing Magnesia spell it out, in such a matter-of-fact manner, made my blood boil.
“You bitch!” Titania screamed, lunging at Magnesia. She rattled the bars, snarling like a beast.
“You were there as well,” Magnesia reminded her daughter.
Titania flinched, groaning.
“She didn’t know,” I said, glaring at the evil witch. “You knew from the start.”
“True.”
My skin crawled. I knew plenty of dumb thugs but Magnesia was the first person I’d met so void of morality. “How could you?”
“It was His Majesty’s orders.”
“And? Would you do anything he asked?”
“Yes,” she replied. “That’s what loyalty is.”
“How can you be loyal to a man who makes you butcher children?!” I yelled.
“It’s not as if we did it for fun. Sterne posed a threat to Grabadon’s safety. It was a necessary sacrifice.”
“Killing children’s fine as long as it removes the competition?”
“Correct.”
My lips flapped. How was I supposed to respond to that? She didn’t show a shred of emotion; not a hint of remorse. The memory that pierced Titania’s heart was nothing to Magnesia.
“Dammit,” Titania snarled. “What happened to you? You weren’t always like this. You used to be my mom. You used to be kind. Was that all a lie?!”
“It’s normal for a mother to care for her child. I did everything I could for you. You’re the one who threw it back at me. If you’d obeyed my orders, we wouldn’t be here. You’d have lived the rest of your life in safety.”
“Paid for by a child killer?!”
“Nobody said this is a glamorous profession. I do what I’m told to serve the city which has protected me all my life. You obviously wouldn’t understand.”
“No, I wouldn’t. I’m just a damn traitor, after all,” Titania snapped.
“Did you only come here to taunt us?” I asked.
“I came here to help you,” Magnesia responded.
“Bullshit.”
“It’s the truth. His Majesty has big plans for both of you. Tomorrow, you’ll be punished for your obstinance. If you want to make it out alive, bow your heads, beg for mercy, and reconsider your stance.”
“You want us to bow to that evil bastard?!” Titania said.
“If you’d rather perish, be my guest. His Majesty is not the monster you believe him to be. He may rethink his judgment if you show the proper remorse for your actions.”
“Never! I’d rather die.”
“As expected of you.” Magnesia looked at me. “Have you got more sense? Despite your misconduct, His Majesty still covets your allegiance. It would be a shame for the last half-breed to lose his life here. If you beg for forgiveness, I’m sure His Majesty will grant it.”
I scoffed. “What then? I get to be the new royal kid killer?”
“You join the Royal Guard and never have to worry about food or safety again.”
“Yeah, think I’m gonna pass. I’d rather lose my head than take an innocent person’s. We can’t all be like you,” I said, glaring at Magnesia. “I’ll never side with someone who’d kill her own daughter.”
“Grabadon has given me everything. My duty toward it supersedes all. I didn’t choose to be your enemy. You did.”
I felt sick. Looking at Magnesia, listening to her, it was enough to make my stomach turn. Her very existence repulsed me.
“Finished?” Titania said.
“That I have. I came offering sound advice but you refuse to take it.”
“Damn right we do. Shove your advice up your ass. I never wanna see you again!”
“Lucky you, you’re going to get that wish,” Magnesia said, heading for the door. “Tomorrow, the two of you shall die. This is goodbye.”
“Yeah, fuck you too,” Titania growled.
Magnesia left without another word, leaving the two of us alone.
Titania’s strength left her. She collapsed onto her back and draped an arm across her face.
“You okay?” I said, rattling the bars. Stupid things, getting in the way.
“That’s the first time we’ve talked since then. I always wanted to believe it was some sort of mistake. Like, maybe she hadn’t really known? Maybe it had all been a big joke or something. Maybe she was still the mom I knew.” Titania shook her head. “Not a trace. That isn’t the woman I grew up with.”
“Titania…”
“What happened to the mom who read me bedtime stories? What happened to the mom who cooked me dinner every night? What happened to the mom I made bracelets for? What happened to the mom who used to be my hero?”
I reached through the bars, aiming for Titania. She was close. Our fingertips almost scraped together. A little more and I had her.
“Was she always this evil?” Titania continued. “Was she fooling me from the start? Did she never care for me at all?”
Finally, contact. I caught her hand and squeezed.
Titania jumped and uncovered her face. Tears stained her green skin. Her red eyes shimmered behind a thin veil of sorrow.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I don’t know a thing about her but I’m here for you. I can’t do much. Shit, I can’t even bust outta this cage, but you’re not alone. You don’t need her.”
Titania sniffled and edged closer. “Really?”
“Damn straight. You’ve got Esther and Dessa too. Gall isn’t shy about showing her love. You know how much Blair cares for you.” I pulled Titania close, capturing her hand
s in mine. “You’re not alone. You’ve got enough family to waste tears over that bitch.”
A small smile cracked the surface. “Even after what I did?”
“We’ve all fucked up. None of are spotless. Doesn’t change a thing. We’re family. We’ve got each other’s backs through thick and thin.”
“What about tomorrow? Was she was telling the truth? Are we gonna die?”
“No way,” I said. “I don’t care what they’ve got planned. I ain’t dying. And you ain’t either. We’re getting outta here. That’s a promise.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I gotta see Boss again. Dessa too. Then there’s the old woman.”
“Don’t forget Blair. We came here to bust her out.”
“I know that!” Titania said. “No way I’m leaving her behind. We’re gonna get outta here, get Blair, and rub it in that goblin bastard’s face.”
I smiled. That was more like the Titania I knew. Tough, fiery, headstrong. Tears didn’t suit her. “You look better like this.”
“The fuck does that mean?!” she snapped. “You want me to hit you?”
“Save it for tomorrow. I don’t know what’s happening but we aren’t breaking out without a scrap.”
“Hell yeah. If they think I’m gonna go quiet they’ve got another thing coming.”
Position wise, we were still in the shit, but we weren’t giving up. We wouldn’t allow ourselves to die. Whatever happened, we’d fight until our dying breaths to survive. They could do their worst. We weren’t ready to quit.
Chapter 20
The following morning, we got the call. We were dragged from the dungeon and frogmarched through a maze of tunnels. After minutes of silent travel, we were tossed into daylight and greeted by a cauldron of sound.
A packed crowd roared from their elevated viewing position. They were located around the arena’s circumference, separated from we mere plebs by ten feet of stone wall. A shield finished the job of boxing us in. They weren’t taking any chances.
“This isn’t what I was imagining,” I mused as the door slammed behind us. No going back that way.
The guards had chucked us a red fabric bundle before slinking off. It contained some keys, a familiar shield, and an electric-infused spear.
We unlocked our restraints without a moment’s hesitation.
I rubbed my chafed neck. It was good to be rid of that collar. “What’s going on here? This the coliseum?” Apart from a few unneeded columns, we were alone on the grand stage. It was a circular arena with a basic dirt floor. There were a few metal gates, such as the one we’d come through, but they were shut tight.
“Yeah,” Titania said.
“What’s the big idea?”
“How should I know?” she snapped.
“Alright, keep your hair on,” I said, glancing around the worst concert venue ever. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
The pompous onlookers were rowdy and ready for a show. It was unlikely they’d turned up in droves to see some karaoke-quality singing. If not they then Ramses certainly hadn’t. He wasn’t a hard man to find, despite his diminutive height. The royal box was as gaudy as you’d expect from a powerful egomaniac. Gold surrounded the despicable goblin, along with a small army of guards. The captain was amongst them.
Other prominent nobles got access to the neighboring prime spots. For the most part, they meant nothing to me. There was one exception. A smug, blond male with his arm around the shoulder of a dolled-up lilac-skinned, young woman.
“Blair!” I yelled.
She jerked forward, but Frederic yanked her back.
I gritted my teeth. The mere sight of Frederic was beyond repulsive. Demon rats were more appealing than him.
“Get your stinking hands off her!” Titania roared.
“Quiet!” Magnesia yelled, quelling the audience’s idle racket. “Introducing his royal highness, King Ramses the Fourth.”
The little green creep rose to his feet. There was no sign of his busted nose. Likely healed or covered with makeup. He wouldn’t show that weakness to his underlings.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Ramses said, “thank you for joining me on such short notice. I have quite the event in store for you all. One unlike anything you have ever seen before. Allow me to introduce the stars of today’s feature presentation.” He swept his hand toward us. “First, a woman some of you may know personally. She is a former resident of our prestigious abode; a girl without a shred of noble blood who we accepted as our own. She repaid us through treachery. Only last night she tried to take the life of our good friend Lord Montgomery, in his own home. Today, we punish her for that crime and the many others she has committed against Grabadon. Presenting, Titania the Treacherous!”
The crowd jeered. A young woman was being sentenced to death and they were treating it like theatre.
I put a hand on Titania’s shoulder. “Don’t let them get to you.”
“I won’t,” she said. “I don’t give a shit what scum think.” She didn’t tremble and there was no sorrow in her voice. An inferno lit up her eyes. Titania was back on her game.
That was the orc I liked to see.
“Next,” Ramses continued, “is a man like no other. His name will mean nothing to you, but his title will fill you with disbelief. We have all grown up listening to tales of men who could summon fire without a crystal’s aid. Some say fact, others say myth. Today, I put the debate to rest. Before your eyes stands proof that the legends of old were true. Allow me to present the last of his kind. Half-man, half-demon. A living breathing half-breed.”
Silence. The audience didn’t make a peep until they descended into hushed gossiping. Not that you call it unexpected. If I was told some random guy was a werewolf, I’d be skeptical until I got some proof.
While others mumbled, one voice pierced through the arena. “Yay! Do your best!” A familiar dark-skinned elf said, applauding from the crowd. She stood out like a sore thumb; a lone half-dressed hottie in a sea of silver-spooned nobles.
“Are you serious?” I said, waiting for the hallucination to subside.
“The fuck?” Titania seconded. “What’s she doing up there?”
“Do I look like I know?” Dessa wasn’t in cuffs and wasn’t acting out of place, despite clearly being so. She got some odd looks but nobody came to take her away.
Still no sign of Esther. No news was better than having an additional partner. I prayed for her safety, not that she was the one most at risk.
“I see you are not convinced,” Ramses said to people. “It is understandable. He looks nothing like the men that legends speak of… yet. I am afraid our half-breed criminal is shy. He needs some encouragement. And encourage we shall.”
A gate opened on the far side of the arena. Out came a small rabble of demons. Four rattledogs. Terix’s equivalent of bottom-tier mobs.
“Just like I thought,” I said. “They wanna see us fight? Let’s fight.”
“No,” Titania said, grabbing my arm. “Leave this to me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Damn right. Listen to that bastard. He only cares about you. I’m just making up the numbers. That really pisses me off.” She marched forward, spear in her grasp. There was no sign of the sobbing girl from the dungeon. “He thinks we need your demon mojo for four mutts? Scumbag’s underestimating me.”
I folded my arms and grinned. “Sure is. Remind him who he’s dealing with.”
The rattledogs perked up when Titania approached. They made the first move, charging at her as a collective.
Titania dashed forward and met them with her shield. It bashed the pack’s head, driving it back. This opened her flank. The other dogs took aim. She was quicker. Titania thudded one’s underside with her shield’s face, throwing it over her head. In the same movement, she thrust at the dog targeting her exposed back. Without even looking, she nailed it through the skull.
No demon was surviving that.
With her spear lodged, the third demon lunge
d. Its target? Her throat.
Titania kicked back and used her spear like a vaulter’s pole. At the height of her jump, she flicked the base and dislodged the dead demon. It shot off, wiping out the assailant.
Before it could clamber out of the wreckage, Titania hit the bullseye with a javelin throw.
That was two down.
No rest for the hunted. The insulted mongrels tried to get Titania while she was unarmed.
Titania dove below their pouncing forms and threw her weight on her shield. It skidded along the dirt floor and brought her to her target. She grabbed her spear in passing, driving it straight through her last victim and out. Without any wasted movements, she rolled back to her feet and charged at her two foes. They’d lined up nicely for her.
It was Titania’s turn to be the predator.
Her spear caught the first. It wasn’t enough to satisfy her bloodlust. She kept driving until it split through and punctured the second. Even then, she didn’t stop. The roaring Titania kept rushing until there was nowhere else to go. Her spear slammed into the wall with both demons skewered along the shaft.
The round was over. It was her win.
So much for being the team’s tank. Titania was a one-woman demon-killing machine. Humans got off easy. Monsters weren’t so lucky.
The crowd was audibly disappointed. I, on the other hand, grinned hard enough to qualify as working out my jaw muscles.
Ramses scowled. “My apologies. It appears I provided an insufficient challenge for these rebellious hunters. It will not happen again. This time, we will see the half-breed in action.”
We didn’t get a break. The arena’s gates opened and our next challenge swarmed out. Rats. Dozens upon dozens of demonic rats.
Titania rushed to join me in the arena’s middle. “Looks like I pissed him off.” Not that she sounded displeased.
“Sure did,” I replied. “Guess it’s time to give these clowns what they want.”
“Not that they deserve it.”
“Hell no. But anything’s better than dying here.” Collar removed, there was nothing to hold me back. First, I took the red fabric stuck to the coliseum floor. I’d missed having a cape. A red cloak fluttering down my back felt right. Only one piece remained. I roared and summoned the side of me everyone was eager to see. Blue demonic fire burst free, covering my fists in a fiend-smiting inferno. A burning flame trickled from my glowing eye, showing me the world in a new light.