Chapter Thirty: Our Darkest Thoughts

XXXX

"Ursula. I need you with me tonight. Triton is going to need to believe you're actually working with me, so I gracefully request your help." My pleading is absolutely pathetic. Nothing is lower than a necromancer begging, because if you can't manipulate those into doing what you will, then what good are you? The words dripped off my tongue with a hint, and only a hint, of shame. "Please. A magi is best for negotiating with a magi. I'll make it worth your while."

Not true, but really there's no other choice than to offer fake realities. I have nothing. No fortunes (that I wish to surrender), no lovers, no gods to pray to. I looked the magi in the eye, though she didn't stare back. "You can gain his trust, and make my job so much easier."

She clicked her silver pen. I've grown used to the noise, in fact I found it's presence soothing in an ironic way. Like I was the one who needed to click. Ursula faced me, her dark violet dress tight and not revealing. Her lips pursed. "What, can you not conceive the man you're trustworthy yourself?"

"I barely trust myself."

Halina, Ursula, and myself moved along a path outside of the university gardens. The flower petals were a mix of colors, adapted to the Swirling. I still hate that goddamn sky, the stupid rainbow never ceasing. The wildlife in the Light Layer though were colorful and happy, which pissed me off. Seriously, I watched a squirrel with red and blue zig-zags walk up to Ursula, sniff her, and then run off chirping. She wasn't even considered a threat.

"Then you might need to reevaluate your attitude at everything," the magi said. Her voice sounded off, like she didn't want to speak with me. "I do not think you should come to this school anymore."

Fuck.

No, no, no, no. The plan does not involve Ursula bailing on me. She's too deeply involved, whether I said she had a choice or not. I know Triton was at the fight, I know he saw what I can do. He's gotta understand how much value I bring. But losing his trust is a failure I can't redeem.

Time is running short. Armies will need to be gathered soon.

Ursula stopped by a patch of flowers, letting green magic flow out her and touch the plants like a gentle kiss, or maybe more like a light tap on the nose. Wish I was treated as nice.

She didn't bother to look in my direction. "You plan a war. I'll have no part of it."

"Too late. Everyone's involved, and you just happen to be ahead of the announcement. You've chosen the side of the Necromancer, and he's in desperate need of a goddamn close ally."

"Hey," Halina whined.

"Oh, sorry, another close ally. One who isn't as frail as a human."

"Much better," Halina smiled. "Besides Ursula, I kinda agree. It seems the rebel has taken a liking to you. So who better than yourself to gain his undying loyalty?"

The nature magi sorta shrugged. There was a scent to her, one of divide and conquer. I have had my fair share of wishy-washy people in my life, and there's only one way to deal with them: say please.

"Please, my dear Ursula. Then you can leave my life forever. Quite the deal huh?"

Ursula gave me a blank stare. Her dark eyelashes and dark hair glimmered from the light, and I wondered why she kept her hair dark. Many magi chose to add coloring to their bodies in either respect to Loken'Kam, or to their love of color. Expressing individuality, but she rarely went beyond one or two shades. What an interesting magi.

We kept moving beyond the garden, into the campus and among students who kept their eyes rightly off me, but never not giving my direction a glance. The weight of Ever Heart always felt heavy in crowds, not from the thought of slaughter, but from the idea where I'm consumed until the blood drips from my mouth. The thought made me quiver.

The professor stopped. "Fine. I'll help you this one last time, and that's it. You leave for Earth, and never come back."

"Done." Not done, but I can't afford to fight or negotiate. Not here, and not now. A raindrop hit my cheek, and a few more began to fall. The clouds were dark, piercing, a sight to behold. Taking in a deep breath, my breath felt ragged. Wonder why. "Then get ready to use your words wisely. I'm playing with players who don't know the difference between a pawn and a checkerboard, and I can't be playing with amateurs."

She nodded, I handed her the info, and left with Halina on my right. The human smelled off insecurity. "How dangerous is the checkerboard then?"

"Incredibly dangerous. I suspect the tears of war are soon arriving. I don't know what exactly, but soon they'll appear, and either we're ready, or we fall."

Halina ran a hand over her smooth head, golden earrings dangling loosely. The woman was deep in thought, figuring out my next move, wondering what words she'd have to say. To smart, I say, for the average magi to handle. Rarely would I ever note a human smarter than a Hidden, but it was bound to happen eventually.

The magi here, mainly Triton and Ursula, are starting to test my patience. I've only got a limited time left before the city comes to fetch me and kick me out, and I must unite the rebels, figure out how the Witch plans on using this layer, and gain stronger allies.

    My thoughts were interrupted by a group standing in front of us. More rain began to fall, and I couldn't help but be a little angry. Hanna Kran with a group of boys were waiting patiently before us, each with a smirk not really needed.

    "You can't ever catch a break," Halina said.

    "No." The girls hair was red. I smelled arrogance. "What can I do you fine students with?"

    "I'm still hurt after what you said to me," she said. Her magic formed round her hands, water coursing over her fingers and arms. Subtle, but not real strong. What an idiotic fool. "So I'm here to remind you who I am."

    So very very bold. Her goons had their magic ready as well, each sorta avoiding charging in. Halina looked calm, then glanced at me with a curious eye. As to say, 'What now?'

    Humming 'Mr. Roboto,' I decided to not waste time. One moment I stood before them, the next my sword was placed on the girls neck, while I clutched her wrist to make sure no other surprises could happen.

    "If any of you take another step, she dies."

    That stopped them. The girl was breathing heavily, and I could sense the urge to use magic. She didn't, which made me a little sad. Growling a low and dangerous growl, I got my nose real close, knowing she would feel my breath, the stench of a necromancer.

    "You are an idiot. A fucking moron. Did you think that being a Kran would mean you're tough?" She had sweat beading down her cheek. Or maybe they were tears. "I don't play around with stupid children. You, your precious name and status, mean little to me. Your mother? A joke, a frail old woman who I wouldn't even waste effort on. What exactly were you hoping to accomplish from this?"

    "We--we wanted payback. You--you're an abomination. Teach you--"

    "Teach me what? A lesson?" I laughed, probably too hard. "Oh, you sad little girl. With your cute water magic, and your pathetic friends. Do you think intimidation will work on a man who's faced armies?"

    "I--I--I--"

    "What? You're nothing like your mother, who at least has a little steel in her back. You're a quivering mess, and be thankful I'm not in a worse mood." I stared into her eyes, the colors changing and changing. "Next time you wish to face me, bring fools who'll call a bluff. Next time you wish to face me, be prepared to die."

    I moved my attention to the closest boy. "You, what's your name?"

    "Uh, it's um..."

    "Now you buffoon!"

    That got him going. He swallowed quickly, then spat out, "Ren Huio."

    "Ah, the Huio house, full of class and richness." She gathered rich kids to fight. Typical, like an ignorant child who doesn't know when to quit. I bared my teeth. "Next time you step in my way, I'll kill you, and use you to murder your family. I make ashes, not love."

    The boy was quivering, shaking hard, and if it weren't for the now falling rain, I'd say he pissed himself. The magi looked at his comrades, than ran off somewhere into campus, not even turning back. Hanna gave a small croak.

    Before the others even got the chance to decide what to do, I pushed the girl away and onto the ground. She gave a small yelp. Her pretty face contorted in pain, in either humiliation or the fall I couldn't tell. Not that I cared. Turning, I beckoned Halina to join me as I left.

    The rain fell, soaking us both. Nothing is worse than getting exposed in the rain.

********

    Everyone always assumes you're the smartest one in the room until you speak. That's how we judge the godless, before they even get to say a word. It's like hesitation to win the race. We all watch, waiting, for you to say the words that prove your ignorance, that show you are in fact the dumbest in the room.

    I met Ditto at his hotel, and followed him closely as we left for the light portals. The human had an unusual vibe on this night. Walking around a puddle from the earlier rain, I couldn't help but think of the Sleeping Witch, of the mystery wrapped around her. If she was in fact real, then so much of the myths and lore we Magi love describing also had the possibility of being real.

    The story of a fire magi who created an eternal flame. The demon who raised a continent out of the Red Ocean. The forest elemental who warded off a million magi to protect its home.

    All could be real, and we have no way of knowing.

    I glanced at the Necromancer. He might know. His knowledge never seemed to end. And what was the most annoying was he never admits what is fact and what is bullshit. The Brightest Day, for as far as we know could be a fake. But he acted as if it was real and only ever been real. Which made it believable.

    His words were rubber. Tonight he was meeting traitors -- I was meeting traitors -- about war and love and lost. My hands clenched, and I clicked my pen, hoping this was a dream. I don't dream though. And I was to most likely have to report to Triton.

    Maybe I should be called the Queen of Spies.

    A secret title given to myself.

    I... am a child.

    "We are meeting his most powerful elites, his inner circle," Ditto said, breaking the silence. "Do not quiver, or break. We can't show weakness."

    "I don't have to do anything," I snapped.

    "Fair. Come, I don't want to be late."

    "Where are we going?"

    He glanced at me. His beard was starting to grow in again, a shadow, like the shadow of a pole in the early mornings. In the moment I examined Halina as well. Her earrings were dark, large loops, pretty in their simplicity. She wore a t-shirt with a striped pattern, and blue pants. Is this how the humans dress up in Earth? What an interesting look.

    "Hij'Look. Never been there. But apparently it's a good place for the rebels to gather when doing stuff like this."

I should've guessed. It was obvious now, now that I was thinking about it. Hij'Look was a very large city about fifty miles south, and is as ancient as the magi. There were no tall buildings, nothing went above three stories, but everything was long and rectangular. Nothing was made of steel, but rather of stone and clay. And there were a great deal of buildings underground, which could hide anyone for some period of time.

"What are you hoping to accomplish?" I asked, trying to find a clear answer. "Is there even a goal?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Hopefully some goddamn clearity."

I said nothing after that. After sometime we arrived to the city, quiet in the night. Some places enjoyed the sound of noise, others that of silence, an eerie yet peaceful sound. We stepped onto the street, looking around. Birds sang their sad songs. I breathed in a warm breath.

"Come on. We're going to be late," Ditto said. He began to walk, and we followed. The light posts made our shadows on the grey clay buildings seem so... broken. Like the shadows wanted to escape, but their dedication to honor and duty prevented them. I clicked my pen. Ditto gave a smirk. "Halina, predictions?"

"Visions of the past."

"Torment," he whispered. Holding up a sheet of paper, he said, "Where is the Brown Stone?"

"I've heard of it," I replied. Going past him, my legs began their long strut. "Come on, we better hurry if we wish to not look like fools."

In no time we arrived to our destination. The hotel on the outside wasn't very big, but it went deep underground, and is known as one of the best hotels in the city. Ditto, not really paying attention to his surroundings, walked right in, waiting on no one.

I wished for the same strength, but I knew it would only kill me.

Opening the doors, Ditto was already walking down a hallway, stopping before a door, labeled with the numbers '245'. He knocked twice, pause, then once more. It opened, and a woman let us in, looking us over with some kind of magic I'm sure.

"Welcome Ditto Night, Triton has been expecting you."

"I sure hope so," he responded.

"Follow me, if you would."

"I will."

Together, she took us to another door at the back of the room. Pressing against it and saying a spell, it opened and revealed a descending set of stairs. She went first, and Halina and I eyed each other. Ditto didn't bother asking questions, going straight down without issue.

    As we walked, my breaths became more ragged and short. I have never been a fan of closed off spaces, and going into a basement seemed out of my element. I clicked my pen, staring at the ground the entire time. What is it with meetings and small spaces? What's wrong with a big field?

    We finally reached the bottom, a big open floor with three doors. The guard went to the right, used her magic to write an inscription, red and glowing, and the door opened with a creak. Ditto once again walked in first, not even waiting for approval.

    Swallowing, I followed suite, hoping this doesn't get me killed.

    "Welcome, esteemed guests," said Triton, sitting at the head of a table. His council was most indeed intimidating. Ditto nodded.

Time to begin.

    The three of us sat around the rounded end of the very, very cheap table. I couldn't look at the generals. They were scary, if I had to admit. Power, ruthlessness..... Old age. My eyes peekd up for a moment. Their servants were in the back too. The woman next to me had a hardened look, with a scowl and an equally mean tattoo under her eye. In fact, she was the one to start.

"You are the Necromancer?" she hissed, like a steel-back snake. Probably just as dangerous too. "I thought you'd be... older."

Ditto said nothing to that. He directed his voice to Triton. "If anyone has any more jokes, get them out now. Because my patience is thin, and I'd rather take out my angers on my enemies. Now, who's who? Counter-clockwise please."

I stopped listening. Names bore me to a degree, and sometimes I get distracted. Playing with my pen, I patiently waited for the last person to speak. My thoughts wondered, back and forth, to places I can't remember. From the plants I need to take care of, to the fact battle will be coming to our front steps. Interesting how the mind works.

"Well then good magi, let's start." Triton lifted his hands, giving the impression he was praying, but we all knew better. "The Necromancer has elected to join us in this cause against the Sleeping Witch. As we all know, things are starting to escalate, and I've decided to add him to our council. We're now past being subtle. War is on the horizon. It's time to start our next move."

Ditto faced the magi general to his right. Only four to a side besides us. Eight high ranking magi, each gone traitor. How easy it is to sacrifice morals.

"Good Grando, I've come to understand you're good at moving troops."

"Yes. I've managed to get Light Portals moved to one of our bases. We've only got a few safe city locations though." Grando, an older gentleman, was dressed in a clean uniform, with many colorful badges decorating his shoulders, and short red hair. Sometimes it's hard to measure a magi's age. Maybe he fought in the last war against the necromancers. "But Light powder is getting tighter security. We've been limited in our illegal movements."

Ditto pulled out a sheet of paper. "I can't help with the powder. But take this. It's a receiver pattern for Light Portals. Take paint and mix it with Light powder, paint it to any surface, mark the coordinates, plug them in to your portals, and you can now move more freely."

"How did you get this?" he asked, confused, almost panicked. "These designs are supposed to be under strict lock and key?"

"I designed that myself," Ditto said. "Because I'm smart before you ask the next question." He was already moving on, going to the person next to Grando. "Tower Grenda, my lovely Grenda, how heavily defended are the Pillar?"

The middle aged woman gave him the stink eye. A Tower, imposing and willful, a famous name many know about. The Frewn House was renowned for their magical abilities and heroes who've fought in multiple wars. She had long silver hair, with black stripes running down the back, and thick arms which would have crushed me in a heartbeat.

"Their forces are matched by--" she said low and calm before Ditto cut her off.

"No, not their forces. Their minds. Their magic. How well defended are they?"

Clearly thrown off, I wasn't even sure she was going to answer until she cleared her voice and with a stern voice growled, "Most are nearing a hundred. Many haven't seen combat in decades. Kran is probably the most powerful, but she still does practice. Nancy second. Their minds are still sharp, as well as hardened by magic."

Another general, two seats to my left, started talking. His caramel colored skin was seasoned with scars and small tattoos. I think his name was Fruil? He spoke, "Necromancer, we need to discuss war strategies. Where the best places for a fight are, where supplies are going to come from--"

"Irrelevant," the Necromancer simply said. "The Sleeping Witch will decide the location for us."

The room went silent, and I lifted my eyes painfully slow to not make a noise. The magi were trying to figure out how serious he was, uncomfortable by the looks. A general closest to Triton on his left decided to be brave.

"You must be joking," the old woman said, her northern Ku'bun accent coming out. The colder regions people were always easy to spot out. "We can't let her pick the playing field. We need--"

"Why?" Ditto interrupted. He scratched his beard. "All the Light Layer is your terf. We merely need to bring her here, and we already stand a fighting chance. If we move to Earth, then the Pillar's corruption will be weakened, however we'd need to stabilize an area before taking action. Even though I've got friends, it'd be difficult. No, she needs to come to us. But the Witch will pick the location. She's been asleep for over seventy-five thousand years. Do you think she knows the land? No. Her soldiers? Sure, but just as well as any one of us. What's important is, I'll admit, supplies, getting armed, and getting ready."

Triton raised a thick brow. "And how do you propose we do that?"

    Ditto shrugged. "Look. It's simple. The Witch is probably going to mobilize here soon. Her forces are tearing apart Earth, she's got her greedy claws on someone or multiple people in the Pillar. More probably in your armies. She needs blood. She has the tools. What happens next is we need to get ready to stop her by showing why we Hidden aren't to be fucked with."

    I looked at Triton. He had a brow raised high, and asked with a calm voice, "She's not in this Layer?"

    Ditto smiled, one that said, got me good. "No, she's on Earth. Don't know exactly where, but there."

    "Deceiving bastard!" screamed who I believed was a woman named Tunn, a high ranking general from the east. "You knew that this entire time? And didn't think it'd be a good idea to share?"

"Well, to be fair," he paused, giving the magi some look I didn't like, "no. What good would it have done to tell you? You can't touch her now as is. She's radicalized an entire continent on Earth, turned thousands, if not millions - though I'm not sure - into her own mind controlled army. However, they are being pushed, not being given the time to properly prepare. Yes, causing destruction, building weapons, armies, whatever. But even she cannot--"

He stopped.

We all looked at each other in confusion. He almost appeared... frozen.

XXXX

Standing in a black abyss, I knew something was not quite right. Looking around, I took a few steps forward, to see if any change would happen. Nothing. Am I dead? Did it finally happen? Wouldn't I be just grateful. No more problems. Life, ironically, would finally be great.

A noise. Whispers. I turned, and before me stood three fools.

On the left was Tyrion, the King of the Shifters. On the right was Huna, Queen of the Fae, Lady of Magic, and Matron of the Cloud Forest. She was larger than most fae, standing well taller than me, with four wings and long black hair, her body covered in jewels and fancy clothes.

In the middle stood a man I'd never seen. He was tall, wore white robes, dirty blonde hair, kaleidoscope eyes, the sign of a magi. His wicked smile gave me chills.

"So," I said with a trace amount of confidence. "You must be Father Gon."

"And you are the Necromancer. Ditto Night." His voice was a paradox, hard yet smooth. "Not who we agreed to meet."

Tyrion seemed confused. "I thought we were aiming for Triton."

"I decided to change it up," Huna replied, eyes burning with sadistic rage. "Better to let him know there's no hope."

I went a little closer, not arm's reach but almost. "You're the one who's behind, well, much of what's going on. Nice to meet you. Sorry I'm not Triton, but he's dull." My gaze shifted to the others. "Hey Tyrion. Hey Huna."

"I wish I could kill you now," the Queen said, angry and bitter, like dark chocolate. Which sounded strangely good at the moment. "Wipe your kind from the face of this world."

"Oh, boo hoo hoo," I mocked, pretending to get rid of tears. "My aching souls wishes you could take it far away from this dangerous place. However, you can't. Get the fuck over what happened."

"Why you--" she started but Gon held up a hand.

"Necromancer, tell me, you stand against us in our war." He didn't move, didn't waver, he acted like he owned the place. This magi, this Father, has a lot to learn about humility. "But the war is already over. You have no chance of winning. Sacrifice yourself. You're the only part we need."

"Well, you see," I gave sarcastically. "Then I'd have to admit defeat. We're nowhere near defeat, Father. Your lovely Witch, who I admire exquisitely, is, how the humans say? Stupid."

Tyrion raised his voice. "We've broken North America. I've heard rumors you claim to have an army, but where is at? I haven't seen any. None dead, none alive. You are quite possibly the worst necromancer I've ever seen."

"The betrayal," I said, giving him a look. "After all we did for you in the Shifter's War, and this is how you repay me?"

He grunted. "You weren't there. You know nothing."

Father Gon raised a hand, and the others became quiet. His imposing eyes locked with mine. "Young Ditto, you did us a great service four years ago on Earth. I suppose I should have killed you then, but I felt obligated not to."

"How... generous," I snapped, strutting back and forth, trying to seem intimidating. I wonder if it was working. Though somehow I knew the answer already. "Say, Gon, if I may call you that, when the Witch finally wakes up, do you think she'll be kind and just?"

"She wishes to make the world beautiful--"

"Interesting," I broke his statement like a child breaking a twig. "Yet, the world needs flaws. That's what keeps us sane. To know perfection can never be achieved. Sure, we get close. Oh so close. But the flaws are what makes us... Hidden. Your ideals are flawed, in that you don't believe in them. You've already sealed your fate, Priest."

"Don't proceed to tell me what is right," he said with bite. "You don't know how long I've worked boy. We will succeed, and your corpse will be our prize."

Huna now stepped forward, her powerful magic making me weary even here, in a realm not our own. Her breath taking green eyes pierced my soul. God, I hated her. Even her breath smelled of fine spices.

"Oh, you poor boy," she said, delicately as though picking a flower from a garden. "The game is set, the pieces in place. Hidden of every stature have joined our cause. Leaders, heroes, villians, everything in between. All for the chance of immortality. You can't possibly offer anything greater."

I tapped her on the nose. "Blah. Of course I can."

"What?" she asked.

I looked past her, at the Father himself. "Oh, didn't they tell you?"

Huna backed up, her eyes curious, going over to Tyrion, also confused. I shrugged, pretending to not understand. "Well, I'm not sure what you know of our culture. But we have this thing called the Council."

Now Huna and Tyrion were listening.

Gon rubbed his chin. "Yes, I've heard of it. I believe Huna and Tyrion are on it, as active members."

This-- this is going to be good. "Ah, but you must not be well informed then. Because I'm also an active member."

Gon's head went from me to the others, his eyes curious but not angry, not burning with rage. Not yet, at least. "And what title have you taken?"

"Why, no other than the Lord of Death."

His head snapped back to me. "Impossible."

"No, it's not." I began my pacing again, feeling the energy of the room change. "I mean, if you think about it, it makes sense. But I won't go over it much now. Because I'm sure you know what it means. Why victory isn't just yours."

The Priest, or Father, or whatever he was, crossed his arms and glanced at his companions. They on the other hand looked scared. "We'll talk about this later. As for you Necromancer, I strongly suggest surrendering, here and now."

Stopping dead in my tracks, I walked up to the magi, as close as I could. He was pretty alright, but the cracks were there. The flaws he ran from, the rage, the anger, the pathetic excuse as a life. Nothing made me sicker than a wasted life.

"No, you listen here. You can pretend to be high and mighty all you want. Come at me with your weapons and monsters and soldiers. I don't care!" I backed up, spreading my arms out. "But now you've made a grave error. You've fucked with the Necromancer! The Lord of Death! So I offer you a challenge. Which one of you is going to tell her first?"

Gon squinted. "I'm afraid Necromancer all this talk will only see you suffer. When she touched your soul, did you feel horrid?"

I couldn't back down. Not now. I whispered, "It's real easy to pretend to fight for a cause you don't believe in. It's even easier to fool yourself into thinking you care. Father Gon, when the Witch knows the truth of the only threat standing in her way, and you did nothing all this time because you... miscalculated, what will the end results be? You're supposed to be the father right? Of this little cult of hers? You've got your armies, you've got your weapons, whatever. But you're facing off against the will of the Necromancer now. And when I come for her, she will understand just how good you are at lying to her face. I suggest you leave. Prepare your speech. Hopefully she will take pity on your life."

Gon reeled, looking at Huna. "Get us out of here."

She snapped her beautiful fingers, and I was back in the meeting.