Chapter 7: The Role They Play

“What’s your game here?” I ask, shooting her a look of contempt. Despite the room being rather dim, I can still recognize her slender figure through the dark silhouette.

Ava steps more into the little light coming in through the window. The look on her face seems depressed, but there’s a strong sense of conviction in her posture. The way she’s keeping her hands clasped in front of her while maintaining a poised stance, gives me the sense that she’s experienced in combat. And it’s then I notice something I should have earlier.

“Doesn’t she usually wear high heels?” The Man mentions, aligning with my own suspicions. This must have been her plan from the beginning.

“Mayor Greene has requested that I dispose of you, but to my surprise the sun isn’t affecting you.” Ava declares, glaring at me with her jade green eyes.

“I guess I was wrong to assume you were the sensible one.” I lament with a shake of my head.

“If it were my choice, I’d assist you on your path to peace. However, from the moment I became his secretary, his wishes have become my own.”

“I sense that this is going to be harder for her than you.” The Man says to me.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that.” She responds.

Given how direct her response was, both of us are left speechless. She heard him? While that shouldn’t be possible, there isn’t anyone else around.

Ava sighs. “It’s been difficult pretending like I couldn't hear him. He really does talk quite a bit, though I can only imagine what he looks like. His appearance is rather hazy.”

While it’s surprising she can see him at all, it’s even more strange that she can’t discern his appearance. Though now that I think about it, what about him makes him unseen by others, and why is she able to perceive him?

I scoff. “I take it that all of what you just said was a lie?”

“Not necessarily.” She insists with a shake of her head. “I did try to convince Greene already, but it’s like I said, he rarely ever takes my opinion in consideration.”

“Considering you’re just his lap-dog, I don’t blame him.”

Ava’s lip quivers into a smirk. “Telling me how you really feel, huh?”

“It was actually to the contrary just a few moments ago. I thought you were eloquent and kind, but now since you’ve shown your true colors…” I declare while clenching my fists with a step forward. “I regret thinking so highly of you.”

“I suppose you have a point…” she says while putting her hand on her chest. “But when you are tied up in ‘The Cats Cradle’, you, as well as all that you hold dear, shall be judged.”

She claps her hands together, and as she separates her palms, red strands form between each of her fingers. Like a seamstress, she twists each of her thick threads into rhythmic patterns. In the end, she forms the simple shape of a house between her fingers. The extravagance is a bit lacking, given that it resembles a child’s depiction of one.

When her fingers stop, I feel like something has changed, but I can’t tell what. When looking behind me, I realize that the two doors are gone. How is that possible? I haven’t moved from this spot. I look back at the pattern she’s holding up.

“So this is part of your technique, huh?” I ask.

“This Instinct isn’t my own, it is Mayor Greene’s. He is simply sharing it through a link between the two of us.”

It’s the same for The Man and I…

“It’s a shame, even in this era, the fat cats refuse to get their hands dirty.” The Man remarks.

“The apparition is correct, but not everyone can choose their own path.” Ava states with a clap of her hands. And while the threads disappear, the room itself stays as it is.

A green aura starts flowing out from her, like an eerie mist crawling along the dark wood floor. And as it gradually engulfs her, I stand ready with my fists up. I know all too well that this mist is the shape of her Influence.

“Throughbred’s Stride…” Ava says, before rushing towards me. Her feet transform into hooves, tearing her sneakers apart. Her kick comes at me with incredible speed, but I block her strike with my forearm nevertheless. Crunching down on my left hand fingernails, I form ribbons of blood with a flick of my left wrist, that loop around behind her like creeping serpents. And like a snake charmer, I manipulate them with the intention of striking her with their fang-like spikes.

Realizing the situation, she steps against my forearm and strikes me in the face with her other leg. Considering she should have momentum after lunging forward, it was an unexpected maneuver. Though with my serrated serpents still coming up from behind, she should be left with little options to maneuver further. However, in an instant, she manages to twist her center of gravity midair, avoiding each one. How is she so nimble?

When landing on her feet, she again lunges forward. Her stamina is unnatural. It’s clear she’s managed to gain the advantage here, so creating some kind of distance between us seems like my best bet.

With a flick of that same wrist, I use those serpents to form a constant path of blood beneath my feet, allowing me to run against the walls. While Ava tails behind with the same breakneck pace.

“There’s no denying she’s persistent.” The Man scoffs, knowing he’s stating the obvious.

“I‘ve encountered plenty in the mare race, but she’s a real workhorse no doubt.” I say before crunching down on my other set of nails, forming streaks that slither along the wall towards her. And while she yet again maneuvers out of the way of most, a few catch her arm and leg.

Gotcha! When it gets to this point my victory is pretty much assured. Her muscles tense as my blood enters her veins, causing them to protrude outward. After a few seconds, Ava falls to the ground, gritting her teeth as her body starts twitching. I pretty much have full control over her body.

“Such a sinister technique…I wish I could say I saw this coming.” Ava says while struggling to get up on her two feet. Though with a lift of a finger, her body stands up in response.

“I don’t know what your relationship is with Greene, but if you value your life, I implore you to stand down.” I suggest to her, while continuing to maintain the distance between us by standing on the wall.

Ava’s expression darkens. “You make it sound so easy, but I guess you do have your own reasons for coming here. Tell me, do you really think you could bring about peace?”

I nod my head. “I will bring about peace.”

“And what makes you so sure? For the citizens taking shelter here, the sight of your kind spells terror.”

“We shall protect them from the forces that seek to bring them harm.” I declare, in hopes of suppressing her doubts. I remember the looks they gave us. Considering what we’ve done to survive, their hatred is warranted. But we’re far from their only enemy.

“Even if you were to do that, how will you reassure them that you aren’t the enemy? For all they know, you could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“Sintobi, do not let her weaken your resolve. These are but the final whimpers of a wounded dog.” The Man warns.

He’s right, but I can’t just ignore her words, we both share the same doubts. Though at the same time, she did threaten to end my dream here. Somehow seeing her in this weakened state is starting to make me question myself. Am I feeling reluctant or sympathetic? Not only was she forced to fight me, but no one else is here to witness what could be her last moments. Not even the creature that commanded her to do so. Will my end be the same?

Ava laughs.

“The apparition is correct, but I’m speaking the truth. I’ve met plenty of young travelers like yourself, who claim they’re ‘going to put an end to this war’. Only for them to end up lying in an early grave.” She admits while looking me in the eyes. “Then you guys came along. At first, I thought all of you were the same as them; lambs being led to the slaughter. But I was wrong. As their leader, their shepherd, you are well aware of the costs of your ambitions, along with the sacrifices you would need to make. Even if it’s your closest friend, you-”

“Do not speak of him!” I shout, clenching my fist. Since I’m still in control of her body, my sudden movement causes her to wince in pain, yet she doesn't falter. The fiery look in her eyes still burns, as if she were expressing her truth. And judging from this distinct vanilla scent, she isn’t trying to deceive me.

“And what good does it do you to tell me this? Do you believe that your life will be spared or perhaps you seek forgiveness?” I ask with a grimace.

“I do not know, but with how comfortable you were with telling me your story, confessing to you feels appropriate.” Ava says with a smile. “Despite everything I just said, I still believe you will one day bring about peace. But you must promise me. Can you-”

Ava's eyes widen the moment she pauses. Like a rolling die, the room around us begins to shift and turn. While I am maintaining balance when against this wall, such an occurrence is no doubt frightening. And I know this isn't Ava’s doing, since I still have control over her body with my blood puppetry, or at least that’s what I think. Just like before, she raises her hands up to her chest and forms red threads between her fingers.

As she bends down on her knees, her eyes go blank. It’s like she’s staring at something that isn't there, showing no concern for what's happening around her. The room itself flips completely as the walls start to crumble. Jumping from the wall onto what was the ceiling, numerous red pillars come crashing through the walls without rhyme or reason. With many extending from what used to be the floor to what is now the ceiling, others erect from the interchanging left and right side walls, as they all end up intersecting each other at indiscriminate angles.Though when taking a closer look, the pillars themselves aren’t pillars at all, but are giant strands of red thread. The kind of thread Ava is weaving above me.

Still sitting on her knees upside down, she configures The Cats Cradle into the shape of a house again. All of the large threads start emitting her misty green Influence, as the room stops shaking.

“Well, you two are certainly hitting it off well.” Echoes a familiar voice through the cloudy mist. “To think she would take a liking to you so quickly. I mean honestly, where’s the loyalty these days?”

With his voice coming from every direction at once, it takes me but a second to recognize the arrogance in his tone.

“Greene…” I say, looking up at the green mist gathering around her as a projection of the fat cat himself materializes behind her. His face oozes its typical smugness with that wide grin as he holds his hands behind his back.

“I must say, I expected you to be just another cocky vagrant with a dream. I guess it’s just as they say, you can't judge a book by its cover alone.” Greene says while giving applause.

Does he think this is some sort of game? When I clench my fist, The Man places his hand on my shoulder. Seeing his composure, I take a deep breath. He’s got me right where he wants me, I must stay focused.

“Sending your secretary to fight your battles while you sit back and watch. You’re the definition of a coward.” I shout at him, pointing at his visage.

“A murderous creature with a conscience, well, isn’t this rich! If she really wanted too, she could leave. It’s not like I’m holding her hostage, in fact, she’s the one that came to me in the first place.”

“It’s not a question of whether or not you’re forcing her, but whether she has a choice.”

Mayor Greene laughs. “Oh goodness, you really did fall for her little sob story. Though you do have one thing correct. She didn’t have much of a choice since I was the only one she could turn to.”

Ava stands up with the same blank expression and walks over to Mayor Greenes projection.

He places his palm underneath her face. “You see this innocent face, for many, it was the last thing they saw before meeting their demise. While she has managed to reform into a diligent secretary on the surface, in The Underground, she is infamous. They call her ‘the horsewoman with no rider’. An assassin that has taken the lives of both the innocent and the guilty.”

Ava, an assassin, from The Underground? No, that can’t be. The types of creatures that reside there are those like Yinick. The type that would betray a lost child. The type that would kill without remorse. There’s no way…wait.

Now that I think about it, her movements did seem careful and deliberate. And no matter what I threw at her, she never seemed to be caught off guard. Like she always had a contingency plan in mind. I knew there was something unnatural about her, but I suppose I was still underestimating her.

“Many don’t realize, but she’s one of the reasons this city is in such disarray. I wanted her more than any other run-of-the-mill vampire. She made my leadership seem like a joke!” Green screams, his large belly jiggling as he stomps his foot in discontent. “Then, it happened…”