Chapter 120 Night of revelations part 2 – Arianna

  Arianna helped Bryce sit up. He looked confused, and she quietly said, “You kinda fell in through the window. How exactly did you get up here anyway?”

  Bryce shook his head, still looking dazed. “It’s just a bit of climbing,” he answered.

  Arianna shook her head and asked what she was really curious about. “Why are you here?”

  Bryce stared at her, then mimed a roundish shape with his hands. After a moment, it clicked, he wanted the privacy sphere. Now that Zaman was gone, Arianna didn’t know if the bugs and cameras were still being monitored, so she took out the sphere and activated it.

  “Okay, we can talk now. But I can’t do anything about the cameras,” she said.

  Bryce looked relieved. “That’s okay. He didn’t install any here. I checked in the afternoon while you were out.”

  Relief flooded Arianna. At least Keith wasn’t watching her all the time, just listening.

  Bryce then looked at her seriously. “Did you mean it?”

  Arianna wasn’t sure what he was asking. She looked at him questioningly.

  “When you said you wanted to escape with us?”

  “Oh, yes.” Arianna wanted to help them escape. Was she still angry at Faith? Of course. She didn’t know if she could forgive what Faith had done to her. But she understood. If it had been Cassis in danger, she didn’t know if she wouldn’t have done the same, or worse. And nobody deserved to be at the mercy of Keith.

  Bryce looked relieved. “Faith also wants to escape. But she’s scared.” His voice sounded sad. “So scared… she loves Shari. And as long as Keith controls Shari, he controls us all.”

  Arianna had gathered as much. “When did you…?” she gestured to her own collar.

  Bryce sighed. “It was just a few days after the first wave, even before you came to train my soldiers. Keith got the collar from his patron right after the first wave, then had his scientists work on replicating it. One of them was a true genius. It took him only a few days to make a replica, which I’m wearing now.”

  The first replica only took a few days… Then how come…?

  “How come the collars aren’t mass-produced already?” Arianna asked, slightly shrinking back at Bryce’s smile. It was… bloodthirsty and proud.

  “Of course, because I killed him. Secretly.”

  Arianna took a step back. Why was he telling her that?

  Bryce stepped toward her, arms out. “Don’t worry. I have the same rules as you. I can’t hurt anyone right now.” Then he clenched his fists, fury on his face. He muttered, “Unless ordered.”

  And just like that, Arianna stopped being scared. She knew exactly what he was thinking about: this morning, when he had been ordered to hurt Faith. Once he got himself back under careful control, he smiled again.

  “Since then, Keith has had problems replicating the collar. Yours took weeks, and even now, it was more like a lucky accident. Tanner isn’t even sure how he got it working. That’s why he needs another genius.”

  He looked at her meaningfully. Arianna sighed, another man convinced she was a genius. She shrugged.

  “Why tell me all of this?” Arianna asked. She knew it was dangerous to know. If she ever escaped Keith, she couldn’t be sure Bryce wouldn’t hunt her down, even if it was just for her ability to make new slave collars.

  Bryce nodded at her. “Because we need to stop him and escape. Whichever comes first.”

  Arianna could agree. Those were two of her most important goals right now.

  Bryce continued, “For our escape, we first need to get Shari. Faith won’t move without Shari being mostly safe. I’ll try to arrange a meeting with her, while all three of us are present, in the next few days. That’s when you come in.”

  He stared at her. “You’ll have to protect Shari at all costs, make a water barrier, a shield, whatever.”

  Arianna nodded. She could do that.

  “If Shari is safe, I can go all out, Faith as well, and you can fight too. Most of the guards are still F-rank, though some are E-rank, as is Keith. They are trained killers, but still unfamiliar with mana, since most rely on pre-system skills to kill.”

  Arianna swallowed. That sounded bad.

  Bryce continued, “Choose a day when not many guards will be here, preferably when Keith goes out. Then we’ll sneak out, and as a last resort, fight our way out.”

  Arianna nodded. Then she said, “We can ask Cassis—”

  “No.” Arianna was startled by the flat refusal.

  “Why?”

  Bryce looked at her. “I don’t trust him. And…” He studied her. “…he wouldn’t think twice about sacrificing Shari or Faith to get you to safety.”

  Arianna wanted to protest, but deep down, she knew it was true, and it made her happy. Was she a terrible person for feeling that way? She didn’t know. She felt like she was, but after everything… she’d do the same.

  Bryce nodded, respect in his gaze. “That’s why you’ll have to be enough. Before, it was hopeless. Now, with you, we have a real chance to make it out.”

  He sounded truthful. Arianna hoped he was. He went toward the window.

  “You can’t tell anyone about this, not even Faith. I’ll need to talk her into it slowly. So, wait a few more days. I’ll contact you again.”

  Arianna nodded. Others wanted to use her, but she’d use them right back. Faith and Bryce would help her escape. And once she was out of here, she’d have to see how to escape them. Then one day, she’d cash in her favour from Zaman. She wouldn’t let him forget.

  But first things first.

  Renewed with purpose, she sat back on her bed and started meditating. She would get as strong as possible to heighten her chances.

  Arianna was back at the pristine sea she had seen in the Maze of Delusions. Without much thought, the water filter came up over her mouth. This sea was so soothing, even though she had died here before. Strange how that was possible.

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  The dragon was still there, still watching her. Its sapphire scales shimmered in the water. She could look at it all day, it was that awe?inspiring. And it felt… safe.

  “Hello again,” a voice behind her said.

  Arianna turned around, unwilling to destroy the peace she had felt for a little while, but also knowing the world didn’t wait for her sensibilities. Behind her was a shadow, or rather, a human?shaped form, male from what she could tell, steeped in darkness. The voice had sounded like it had passed through an old voice changer.

  “Trickster.”

  The shadow laughed. “It’s an honour to be remembered.” He gave her a mock bow.

  Arianna sighed. Was this a dream, or was this really happening, and he was just hanging out in her consciousness again? Why were all these people, or deities, visiting her today? She had already heard enough.

  But, as always, nobody waited for her.

  “Why are you dragging your feet?” he asked, slipping back into being incomprehensible.

  “What do you mean?”

  The shadow shook his head. “The collar. Why haven’t you removed it yet? I even gave you a tool to help you.”

  She could remove the collar?

  “How?”

  The shadow didn’t have expressions, but Arianna could somehow feel him rolling his eyes and looking at her like she was stupid. “Kill the master, of course.”

  Arianna froze.

  Kill… Faith?

  But how? And … could she even do it? Even without the collar, he wasn’t sure she could kill someone.

  The shadow made a show of sighing, then walked around her – how exactly did he walk in the water? –, shaking his head. “You have Mental Resistance. That’s why you can bend orders.” He paused. “Please tell me you aren’t entirely useless. You have noticed that you can bend the orders, haven’t you?”

  A spark of anger bubbled up, but Arianna kept her voice steady. “I have.”

  He nodded shortly. “At least something.” The shadow changed direction and paced in front of her. “Then you must brace the pain and kill the master. Only that way can you be freed.”

  Arianna’s stomach dropped. “Isn’t there another way?”

  The Trickster mocked her. “Sure. The master could free you themselves.” He laughed, a jagged sound that scraped against her in all the wrong ways. Why did his laughter sound so painful?

  She asked something else instead. “But the pain is too terrible. How can I defy an order?”

  The Trickster stopped and turned toward her. His eyes burned, though she couldn’t see them. Slowly, absently, he lifted a hand to his own throat.

  “You will be able to defy the pain when you’re desperate enough.”

  That didn’t sound mocking. It sounded raw.

  Then he slipped back into his usual tone. “You need to hurry up. I want the original destroyed, too.”

  Arianna couldn’t help asking, “Why are you helping me?”

  Helping, if you could call giving her horrible nightmares just so she would gain Mental Resistance, helping. That thought meant he had known from the beginning she would be targeted. She was starting to hate deities. Just a pawn in their cosmic game, with plans laid for her long before she ever knew.

  The Trickster laughed. “Now you’re finally showing why I chose you.”

  Arianna glared at him.

  He shrugged, then suddenly turned serious. “My enemy, Badriyah, is the creator of the collars. I hate her. So in every new world, I look for the strongest with mana and give them Mental Resistance. She always enslaves those with strong mana first. They’re the greatest danger to her, after all.”

  That, at least, made sense. He wasn’t really helping her, just using her to fight Badriyah. Somehow, that calmed her. She was starting to get used to how deities treated mortals. If one had been helping her out of pure goodwill, she would have been right to be suspicious.

  Before she could say anything else, the Trickster spoke again. “Well, now you know how to escape. Do your job well, and your world has a much higher chance of survival.”

  And with that, he vanished.

  Again.

  Yes, that ability of deities was also very annoying.

  Despite her expectations, she didn’t wake up in her bed. Instead, she remained in the sea. Was this dream not over yet? Was there still another deity who wanted to talk to her?

  Just as that thought crossed her mind, she turned toward the dragon. Eyes wide, she whispered, “No… way…”

  No, she had to be overthinking this. Maybe her consciousness just liked staying here. It was serene and peaceful, after all. Yeah, that had to be it.

  But before her eyes, the dragon seemed to grin. Then it… compressed. In the blink of an eye, instead of a dragon far away, a man—middle-aged, with blue hair and eyes—stood in front of her. He wore black leather trousers and a shirt, though on his cheeks and arms she could see shimmering sapphire scales. Actually, his eyes also shimmered in the same sapphire tone.

  She gaped. He was a handsome older man, a little strange with the scales and blue hair, but he exuded a certain charm. He was… beautiful.

  His voice was soothingly low. “Child, don’t be afraid.”

  Arianna felt a flush of embarrassment. She hadn’t been afraid, though she probably should have been. Instead, she… oggled him? Puzzled, she realised she was merely admiring him. There was no attraction, but she couldn’t deny the awe she felt. Strange, yes, and still embarrassing. But… he felt safe.

  She must be going crazy after all these encounters. That was the only explanation. How could a dragon, or a deity, feel safe? She had to get a grip.

  The man, or dragon, came closer. He stretched out a hand and caressed her cheek. Arianna froze. What should she do now?

  “You look just like her… except for the eyes. Those always breed true.”

  Umm… what? Had she heard correctly? Eyes… she stared at him. Sapphire blue eyes, like hers. Could it be? No. That was just a coincidence…

  “You look just like my wife. Our daughters tend to do that.”

  What was going on? If she understood him correctly, he was implying that she was his… daughter? But she had parents.

  His eyes smiled at her. “Sorry. It’s probably more correct to say descendant. There are more than a few millennia between you and my daughters.”

  This was too much. Why wasn’t she fainting in situations like this? It would be much easier than facing the reality that this dragon, or man, was claiming to be her ancestor. She closed her eyes, desperate to breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Yes, that’s right. One more revelation tonight… she could handle it. She was fine. She was okay.

  She opened her eyes. Her… ancestor was gazing at her adoringly. She was not fine.

  “What the heck?”

  He grinned. “Young lady. It’s improper for you to swear.”

  And now that? He was still caressing her cheek. She put a hand on top of his, then asked, “Please explain.”

  He smiled fondly. “Alright. I’ll call you granddaughter. ‘Descendant’ sounds so formal.”

  Arianna helplessly nodded. Why not?

  “My name is Bishui, but you can call me grandfather,” he said. “You see, when the world was still young, and I mean the original world, not yours or this one, your grandmother Asta and I fell in love. It was a tumultuous time, but we loved each other deeply. We were happy for some time. But when Asta realised she would leave me soon, she wanted children, so I wouldn’t be alone after her passing.”

  Arianna’s thoughts spun, but one thing nagged at her. In the original world, everyone could use mana, so why…?

  “What do you mean, passing?” she asked. “Didn’t Asta have mana? Shouldn’t she have lived forever?”

  Bishui laughed softly, then bumped her nose. “That’s grandmother Asta for you. And no. You mortals will always die one day.”

  He looked unbearably sad for a moment. “Not immortal like me. Mana can only prolong your life, it cannot make you eternal. At most, you have a few millennia.”

  He sighed then rumbled. “That is why immortals should never love mortals.”

  So much sadness and longing were wrapped into that single sentence that Arianna felt her chest tighten.

  Then he got control of his emotions again and was back to this calming presence. “Where was I? Ah, yes. Asta and I managed to have children. No other deity has managed that before, or after, me,” he said with quiet pride. “Our children were beautiful and strong, and they went on to have many more children.”

  He nodded to himself. “I am truly blessed. My line has continued for such a long time. I have been watching over my descendants… but there are rules.”

  Then Bishui, no, her grandfather, shook his head. “But I won’t tell you right now. We only have limited time, and you’ve been through enough already.” He gently rubbed her arm. “For now, I just want you to know that you have family. You will get through this. I can’t directly interfere in mortal matters, but I know you will survive.”

  He sounded so certain.

  “I’m always with you.” He pointed at her necklace. “That is my resting place. I will notice when you’re in danger.”

  Always with her? That could lead to some very awkward moments.

  As if he had read her thoughts, he laughed softly. “I sleep most of the time. Don’t worry about your privacy.” Then he grinned. “After all, I’d like some great-grandchildren soon.”

  Had he really just said that?

  Yes. Yes, he had.

  Arianna didn’t know what else to do, so she hit him on the shoulder. “Grandfather!”

  He laughed and pulled her into a hug. “Your temper really is just like your grandmother’s.”

  And just like that, Arianna hugged him back, burying her face in his chest. Tears spilled out of her. Someone cared. Someone was here for her. She still had family.

  He hugged her tightly. “Don’t forget, I’m with you. I’m always here.”

  “I… it’s scary,” she sobbed. “I don’t want to be there anymore.”

  “I know,” he said softly. “I’m sorry. Grandpa isn’t allowed to change everything. But I am here. Just hold on to your necklace, and I’ll be with you.”

  Arianna kept crying, but she nodded.

  He couldn’t save her, but he was here.

  And somehow, that was enough for now.