Chapter 13 - Welcome To The Jungle

“Alright, let’s go over it one more time Ariadne.”

Orpheus was using her assumed name since they were out in a nearby forest and never knew if someone might stray their way. He wasn’t yet able to confirm whether true name magic was a thing in this world, but ‘why risk it?’ was his philosophy.

He looked at his daughter, waiting for her to run down their operation.

She nodded and began to speak as they toured the open space in the forest where their plan was going to take place.

“Taia thinks some big bad executioner is coming to get her.”

Orpheus nodded.

“Euryale thinks some evil accountant or something is coming who will find out she’s a thief.”

He nodded again.

“And Warlock’s crew thinks some crazy enforcer is coming to crackdown on them.”

“Exactly. Doesn’t matter if any of them are right, only that they fear they are.”

Ariadne had a strange smile on her face. “I have a surprise for you dad.”

“A surprise? Now?” He looked worried.

“Nothing bad, jeez. But on that trip to the capital I learned who’s actually coming! I know you said it didn’t really matter, as long as someone, anyone, came. But I know who it is!” She put her fists to her hips and pulled her shoulders back, a sense of pride emanating from her.

“Go on.” The way he furrowed his brow made it clear he wasn’t feeling especially patient.

“Remember how I made up that story for Warlock’s crew about a relative of the Demon King coming…turns out I was right!” She flashed a beaming smile.

“Really?”

“Yup! His sister! Nobody seems to know what her job is, but wherever she goes stuff just…happens. But isn’t it hilarious that my random guess was right?!”

Orpheus blinked a few times, processing what he just heard. Eventually he began to chuckle and it turned into a full laugh.

“Oh, this is too perfect! If anyone attacks her we’ll get exactly the reaction we need now, no matter what happens!”

Ariadne clasped her hands together. “I know, right!”

After he had laughed hard enough to almost bring a tear to his eye he turned back to his daughter.

“Well, I suppose we should make sure this works! Now, did you do like I asked the last few days?”

“Do you even need to ask? Once you locked down what each group was thinking I dropped off the false messages to everyone to really ramp up their fears. Taia has even more reason to believe some big punisher is coming for her. Euryale definitely thinks someone is coming specifically to investigate missing security funds. And Warlock’s crew think someone psycho is on the way to stomp all over them. Though I guess the last ones might even be right…” She cackled.

“And I know the order of proceedings so to speak. Be sure to stay out of sight after our first attacker makes their move. If it doesn’t work we’ll see how the second group approaches things and go from there.”

Ariadne had a smirk on her face. “Don’t worry. I can use my ability for ages now.” She faded from his sight before reappearing. “I was able to hold this for huge chunks of time on my way to and from the capital. This whole operation won’t take an hour, so I can easily stay hidden until you need me.” She vanished again.

“Good.” He nodded. “Just stay out of sight until I call. The plan is good but a lot can change depending on how everything goes.”

She reappeared and gave him a thumbs up.

“While I’m doing my thing, you make sure to collect whatever you can that could work as evidence for blackmail. Scraps. Hair caught on a branch. Anything that can implicate whoever shows up to attack this poor sucker. Win or lose, they’ll have to leave something behind. Just don’t forget you’ll have to reappear to touch anything.”

She waved her hand towards him dismissively. “I know. Don’t worry. You’re so overprotective!”

His brows knit. “Of course I’m overprotective. A literal greater demon is passing through soon and we’re both standing in the middle of what might become a battle zone with two different other greater demons and a band of crazy rebels. What kind of dad wouldn’t be worried?!”

She walked up to him and pointed her finger at his chest, her small hand pressing it into his leather breastplate above his heart as she made her point. “And what kind of daughter wouldn’t worry her dad is going to be literally walking into that same battle zone?! Don’t pretend you’re the only one worried here!” She gave him a smug smile, knowing her point, both literal and figurative, struck home.

He held up his hand in surrender. “OK, OK. We’ll BOTH be careful.”

Ariadne put her extended finger to her chin in thought. “Since we’re talking about what to watch out for, did you ever find out what Euryale’s or Taia’s abilities are? I know greater demons all have a thing like us heroes. Well, us pseudo heroes. It would be a pain if one of them could just blink away like me and run.”

“I don’t.” He answered honestly. “But, based on what we know, your ability and mine seem completely foreign to this world. If that’s true let’s hope nothing like them is in their tool kit.”

“That said,” he continued, “I’ve always wondered if a greater demon’s ability is linked to their name. If so, my classical education might come in more handy than granny thought it would.” He smiled.

“Wait, what do you think they are?” Ariadne leaned in, curious.

“Nuh, uh. That’ll be a surprise.”

“Ugh…you suck.” She stuck out her tongue, but wasn’t actually upset. “And by the way, you don’t have to remind me you studied classics. Every damn fake name you’ve used or given me has been some old myth or pun…Orpheus.”

Orpheus laughed.

Ariadne looked up at the sun. “Almost time. Shall we take our places?”

“You know it. Good luck. And love you baby.”

She gave him a genuine smile but playfully rolled her eyes. “Love you too dad…but you sound like you’re saying goodbye to me at a bus stop, not walking into a crime scene.”

“Old habits die hard.”

He blew her an overly dramatic kiss and went to hide in the woods as she vanished into the trees on the other side of the clearing as planned.