Deep Rooted Hatred

After getting into their rooms, Enderan gave Victor a rundown of everything that had happened.

By the end, Victor was beaming with pride. “Enderan, we might just get out of this because of you. That was fantastic work!”

“I was just doing what you told me.”

“Seriously though, you impressed me.”

“Aw, stop, you flatterer.” Enderan was bathing in the praise.

He was fishing for compliments, and Victor obliged; the boy had earned it. Mentioning the curse had been a calculated risk, but Victor knew more than anyone that sometimes you had to break a few rules and promises to get what really mattered.

The next few days passed by with no further confession attempt from the Mayor, and the residents began gathering outside his house.

The crowd had become so bothersome that Poppy was allowed to stay in a spare room at the slayer guild when she mentioned her unease. It took plenty of convincing on Victor’s part for the Mayor to agree to the accommodations.

- - - - -

The sun went down and most of the lights were out.

The three of them stayed up until midnight before following her. Previously, Poppy had to climb out her window for these rendezvous with the tree.

Poppy, wearing a black cloak in case anyone was still awake, directed Victor as he held out a lantern.

Upon reaching the roots, Poppy approached first and the thick thorny roots parted.

Enderan stayed close to Victor and held out Yoki as a short sword.

The trees covered them in pitch darkness. Ahead, the moonlight lit a clearing and flowers of all arrangements surrounded the tree.

In the middle of the tree, a body covered with roots and flowers lay within a depression. As they got closer, it was apparent that it was a corpse that plants had grown into. It wore a dirty and worn dress.

“Alyssa, we’re here.”

“Welcome to my garden slayers.”

When they heard the response, it sounded like it was coming from a realm beyond theirs. It caused Victor and Enderan to look all around them, before resting back on the body in the tree.

Despite the ethereal quality, it was a beautiful and polite voice.

“It’s a beautiful garden. And we’re not really slayers. At least, I’m not working with full authority. More than anything I just want to help you get the justice you deserve.”

“So, you believe in the mayor’s guilt?”

“We do. So, can we hear what exactly you want?”

“I want him to admit his guilt.”

“But it sounds like he had already made an earnest attempt.”

“He has not.” The voice grew eerie.

“Then please, let us know exactly what happened.”

“If I tell you, then it won’t be out of his own volition.”

“But it sounds like he doesn’t know what he did.”

“He does!” The voice took on a wraith-like quality. “That disgusting man knows exactly what he has done and if he won’t admit to it, then the townspeople can tear the truth out of him!”

“And if he dies without admitting it?”

“Then, I shall release my hold on this town.”

“And if they never act? What if we just starve to death in here! Are you willing to let that happen to Poppy and Kegan?!” Enderan couldn’t sit back anymore.

“I doubt it will come to that. Another week or so and they will be inclined to act.”

Victor opened his book and wrote. “Listen, I hate ignorant people, especially when it leads to the death of an innocent. So I’m much more sympathetic towards you. I’m not sure if you know this or not, but a group of Witches called the Witches’ Circle has been created who have been terrorizing the populace.”

“I am not aware of such a group.”

“They appeared right about the time you died. In a way it is a response to the unfair treatment of women who use magic. A rebellion of their own.” He finished writing. “If the Mayor truly made a similar transgression against you, I would be more than happy to kill the bastard myself.”

This caused both Enderan and Poppy to be taken aback. However, to Enderan’s surprise, the girl didn’t seem opposed to it. He guessed she had to accept such an outcome to help Alyssa in the first place.

“But I don’t want him to just die!”

“You want justice to be served your way. I understand. But, I can’t wait around here for the mayor or the townspeople to do the right thing.” He spoke persuasively. “This boy has been cursed to live a short life.”

“I can sense a curse within him. That amulet he wears is slowing down its effects. Poppy had told me this, and I recognize the truth.”

“So, please, don’t take away any more life from him. I want to cure him, and every day wasted is one that could be used to find a way to break the curse.”

“I sympathize with your plight I really do.” The empathetic voice returned for a moment, before changing. “So I suggest you use that pity, to get the townspeople or the Mayor to admit to his guilt!”

“Victor, I don’t think it’s going to work,” Poppy said tensely.

“Which one of you told him?!” Alyssa suddenly bellowed.

Enderan and Poppy jumped then looked to Victor.

“That would be me. Apologies.”

“Why is he here?!”

“Why don’t you find out from him? Kegan has really wanted to talk with you after all this time. Give him this chance.”

In the darkness, his journal read:

Prediction: Alyssa will be unsettled by Kegan’s appearance outside the forest.

-Prediction difficulty: medium

Manipulation: Beset by longing, Alyssa will then allow Kegan to enter the forest.

-Character manipulation mana cost: high

-Prediction Successful. Manipulation cast.

-

Victor had told Kegan to follow them in a few minutes. The roots blocking the way returned. When he approached they stayed put. Then he heard a woman shout. After a few moments the roots parted.

He was surprised that Victor was able to get her to see him after she put up her roots. As he walked towards the clearing he thought about what he was going to say.

“Alyss?”

“Yes, Kay?”

“Why have you blocked me out? After all of this time apart?!”

“Because I didn’t want you to see me like this!” The vines around the corpse shielded her. “And I knew you wouldn’t have approved of me killing those people, even if some of them deserved it!.”

“If you recognize your wrongdoing, why continue?! You are a kind hearted person! Don’t let hatred consume you!”

“That’s because you don’t know what that horrid bastard did!”

Kegan felt his face heat at the mention of his name. “If he had hurt you, then tell me what he did and I’ll gut the bastard myself!” A fervor entered his mind. “I’ll kill him slowly, I’ll make him pay a thousand times over for tearing us apart!”

“My love. It gladdens me to hear that. But no. Justice has to be given at the hands of those who wronged me. Only when they know the truth, may you kill him.”

He looked down to Poppy and her unease caused him to calm down. “Listen, the fact you brought innocent people into this, means I can’t just turn a blind eye. Not because of my faith or duty, but because it is unbecoming of you. And you only prove the people in town right!”

“Then it is the price they pay! I don’t care about my legacy! If I do have one, let it be yet another reminder of the vileness of men!”

“Victor. Poppy.” Victor turned to them. “Looks like we’ve done all we could.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Alyssa, do you realize that this hatred has tainted your soul?”

“You dare?! I gave you and the boy an audience! I gave you a chance to leave unmolested! Then you brought Kegan only to show him my ugliness! The other slayers I’ve met were not so lucky!”

“I meant no insult. It’s just the truth. Curses and hatred ruins the soul and distorts it. From what I’ve learned from Kegan and Poppy, I bet you would have never dragged innocent people into this mess were you still alive.”

“I wanted vengeance as I died!”

“But I know your vengeance would have had a limit. This is all to say that the person I’m speaking to, isn’t Alyssa, but a horrid distortion of her!”

“Victor!” Both Poppy and Caleb yelled at him in disbelief.

“I’ll kill you!”

Victor threw out the lantern and it lit up the base of the tree, causing a screech to fill the air.