Self-Deception

All around us were dead branches and vines. The once clean stone tile plaza had earth raised up and cracked completely ruining the space. It was going to take time to clean up. It looked like Denica grouped up with the others to start doing some of that evaluation. But all that was on my mind was Eri’Sol standing alone.

I walked over to her. She still hadn’t moved from Denica’s chastising. “Eri?” Slowly approaching, I didn’t want to startle her.

She didn’t turn to face me. Making my way around her, I caught tears on her cheek. After everything she told me about her promise, I could only imagine how tested she had to feel. Denica knew better than I how much of this was our reality. The demon didn’t fight fair. Would it always be like this? Was it always going to be a moral choice forced upon us?

“Eri. If you need to go. I can talk to the Markets.”

Her sword struck the stone. The blade cut in several centimeters with a groan of rock over metal. “N-No! I’ll come with you!”

“You need some time.”

“I don’t!” She flashed her pink-purple eyes at me. The usual determination was lacking. It was forced, built with lies and self-deception. She tried to hide it, but it was too easy to read. “I must do this, Minoru. Don’t stop me.”

“Fine…” If it got bad, Denica could probably make her listen. I had no power over her. We were strangers after all.

As she picked up her sword, the others gathered up by the entrance of the Markets. There was a tall well dressed woman that I didn’t recognize talking with them. We approached quickly to join in what discussions were happening.

“The attack’s over. Everyone was able to escape safely,” Denica reported to the woman. She motioned over to me. As I stepped into the circle, she gestured over to the towering figure. “This is the Head of the Markets, the boss around here for us. Tell her what you were saying to me.”

I craned my head up to try to fully take them in. They were mature in age and dressed in a very sharp jacket, blouse and furs with a long dress. She looked down at me with I think a two head difference. It kept surprising me how tall humans were here. “Right, I learned earlier today that the people being transformed into trees and plants have been cursed by a demon.”

Reaching to my pack, I retrieved the piece of bark I obtained as my proof. “I checked the description and it stated this. We just came from the Scryer with a direction to report our findings to you when this happened.”

She remained stonefaced and furored brow through the explanation. “A demon. That goes to explain the strange events lately. Hoyra!” They clapped, getting the attendant’s attention. The woman rushed out to stand just behind the Head. “Negiotate with Horal and Devi for the clean up and repairs.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

As she ran off, they looked back towards Denica and me. “Let’s move this to my office. There’s enough panic in the streets.”

Their office was upstairs and sparsely decorated. There was a desk along with a table and a few couches. She took a seat on the couch motioning for us to join her. We took up the opposing side. She stretched her arm over the side of the couch. “Since we haven’t been formally introduced yet, Calina Wolden.”

“Minoru Fuwa.”

“Good. Now Minoru, we can’t let a demon run amok, but as I understand you’re new. None of the heroes are suited for this sort of threat.”

I gave a nod to confirm for her. “Do you have anyone that would be able to take this on?”

“This isn’t a job for Denica’s Thorns. Demons are out of our league. I doubt even the capital could muster enough to feel confident in slaying it.”

“It’s that bad?”

“Without knowing which demon it is, we can’t be sure. There are some that are weak enough that we can handle it, but it’ll still be a bloodbath. You were meant to be the ones that handled them. They are extraordinary threats beyond our capabilities.”

Things only got worse with that confirmation. I did hope that Eri’Sol had to some degree exaggerated the threat of the demons. This was all just beyond us. “It’s a suicide mission then.”

“Not yet. We need to identify the demon, learn what they’re doing and find any weaknesses. They may be impossibly strong threats, but they’re not invincible as well. I can approve of a scouting mission, no direct conflict.”

Eri’Sol jumped up. She came alive once more having been distant the whole time. I wasn’t even sure if she was listening until now. “But the town, everyone is in danger!”

Denica raised her arm out over Eri’Sol to get her back in line. “And if you die thinking bravery is going to save everyone, they’re still in danger. Calina’s not suggesting we abandon people.” Her voice alone was enough to get Eri’Sol to relax. Though with the calming of the emotions, darkness came over her again. The cursed people had to still be bothering her.

The Head of the Markets cleared her throat to bring focus back on her. “We do this wisely. Demons are clever creatures themselves. They’ve set the board and pieces. We’re only in the opening moves. We still have time, Eri. Pained as it will be, I order you not to act out of the bounds of the mission I’ve approved. This will be a special request from the Markets directly.”

“Yes…ma’am.

An immediate question came to me as they decided on the job. “The Scryer found the curse is pointed underground. Do you know where this location might be?”

“There’s a cave system that runs through this area, but it’s monster infested. Heroes have cleared it out in the past, but they just return after a time. So I can’t say with certainty, but it is the best bet right now. I’ll be assigning this to the Thorns as well as you. What class are you? If I need to make any additional preparations for you.”

“Astral Priest, a healer of sorts.”

“You’ve got some bad luck.”

“As I’ve been told.”

“Minoru is a great healer!” Eri’Sol jumped back to her feet again. I smiled a little appreciative of her defense for me.

“I don’t know the specifics of how your class works, but the Thorns will be able to cover what you lack.”

“I would be very appreciative. I’m more of an offensive healer. Any healing I can do requires me to attack or someone else. I have none myself, so far.” She nodded understanding the situation.

“Very well. You have until one to make your preparations.”

“I’m also a Potion Maker, though I don’t exactly have access to much in the way of materials.”

“I’ll see what we have in our stores that we can provide.”

“Thanks.” I knew I shouldn’t be feeling optimistic about this. There was still a lot of danger with what we were doing. But I wasn’t feeling as scared about our chances. Maybe there was a way out of this doomed route we discovered.