3

                           III


Rubbing his eyes, Mikota lifted his eyelids.

He was lying down, a familiar plush bellow set against his head, pushing all the way to his back.

I'm in bed…we made it?

Pushing against the mattress, he sat up, pulling his legs up to his chest.

A jug of dragon blood…what? Why did I…?

Sighing, he rubbed his head, blearily tracing off the torus wall as he lifted his gaze, settling it high against brackets arcing by the ceiling…there was something he was thinking about just now. The haze of his mind lifted, as he gained his bearings.

The desk. The chair. The mirror. He really was back.

He looked around, finding Evaine's clip sitting on the chair as usual. Reaching out for it, his fingers gingerly fastened over its mouth, herding his tresses in a tuft.

He'd borrowed it from her after a while - his hair kept getting in the way while sparring with Ried, and now, it had just become another thing he never went about his way without wearing.

Mikota clamped it shut over hair, locking it in a pony tail.

Now, then…right, Saridus is in the locket now

He fingered around his chest, his touch stalling over a hard shell beneath his shirt. Mikota fetched the chain around his neck, pulling it out, and flipping it open - the circular mirror flashing as light shimmered into its obsidian glass.

His face. For a moment, it was his own - lip half tugging, eyes foggy and lowered. Then rolled in the sneer, and the glint of his friend's stare.

“Saridus…”

“Hmm! Hmm-hm-hm-hmmm!”

Mikota smiled, pulling the locket away as he eased his arm out.

“Someone's in a good mood”

“Oh-ho-ho-ho! You really missed it, buddy. You"ve been out for a whole day, and while you were gone - by the heavenly hells! Shouting, screaming, crying - this is the liveliest this tower's been in years! Even Bongo Drums got in on the drumming - oh, you’ve missed so much! Anyway, how are you feeling?”

“I'm alright - so Ried's here?”

“Thankfully - ugh…do I really have to? Okay, fine - unfortunately, Ried has returned back to swinging his silly sticks around in the backyard - although, I have to say: I think I have a new favourite moment from him! He acted responsibly! Ried! Responsible! Would you care for a few choice lines? I really did delight in his grilling of the idiot triad - oh, their faces! Immaculate! Perfection! Absolutely destroyed, rent - utterly torn down, their pathetically delicate psyches!”

It's really leaking out now, huh, Saridus? Although, yeah…still don't have their names yet

'Sure, but aren't you missing out a bit?”

“Huh? Me?”

Mikota turned over his right arm, steadily gazing at it. The leaf-tied-in-leather-strap contraption was gone, thin white scars dashing about its naked length.

Already healed…really has been a day, then

“Yeah. You get to tell me how you saved the day now”

“Oh, right! My glorious rescue - don't mind if I do: Well, after you fell on your face - which by the way, did you even understand why?”

“Uh…no, not really”

Saridus sighed exasperatedly, slapping his palms together as he grimaced..

“You nearly died in three different ways: One - blood loss, Two - 5 times the lethal dose of the strongest poison known to life. Three - severe internal burns; and I do adore how it's so fittingly a triad too”

“...that bad? I don't think I lost enough blood to…poison? Burns? I am so…”

“Confused? You know, you tend to die pretty quickly after stabbing yourself with a knife drenched in Darkmoon larval saliva - your Dragon blood had to literally burn it away to save you, which coloured your guts black ‘n brown real good - you used up a lot of it to save your hide there”

“...well…I suppose that justifies the…everything”

“Mhm-hm"

Phantoms, feigning coils around his arm. That was all he could feel, from yesterday. It was certainly worse than anything Mikota ever felt - he knew that for sure. But right now…

If something like that can fade away in a day…

“Saridus, you were telling me how we got out?”

“Ah, yes - once you were completely incapacitated, I was able to fulfill one of my many charges Evaine gave me, which was to inform her when either you or Ried are in danger. As much as I would like it otherwise - she pretty much took it from there”

“Ms. Evaine did? So she came out of the tower?”

“Pfftt…Evaine? Moving around? Next century, buddy. She guided the girls by illuminating the mirrors. Black-pink-disco girl carried you, leaf girl, and formerly-boweless girl”

“...she did? On her own?”

“Uh…well…not exactly, I suppose. She turned her staff into a giant spidery thing. That carried us to the tower - pretty bumpy, but it worked, I suppose”

Her staff…

“It was…Tiron N’modea, wasn't it? What kind of magic was that?”

“It’s an artifact. She called a demon's name, using their power to manipulate the object it was contractually bound to - the Empire really popularised that sort of thing during the last Great War.”

“So there was a demon just like you…can it see the world like you can?”

“Probably not. Most demons never get to my stage of awareness, given the rather vast Sundry of things mages use them for”

They’re trapped…like Saridus…

“...huh…uhh…”

“Well…I had a feeling that wouldn’t sit too well with you - look, it's more like sleeping, with contractually obligated wake up calls that compel you to move your finger around for a while, and then go back to sleep. Better?”

“...I don't …I don't know…Saridus…why aren't most demons like you?”

“Fundamentally? Human need. Mages hardly spend time on demons that don't give much utility. But guess which civilisation needs to hide things from everyone, even within its own population? Everyone. All the time. The things I’ve hidden…the range is honestly pretty comi-shh…okay, kid - it's good to see you but gotta-go-now-bye!”

“Saridus? Is someone-”

Mikota jolted up, snapping the locket shut as a creak cut the air - the door beside him swiveling open slowly.

I…shut my eyes?

He could hear a rhythmic clicking now, a sonorous chime beating off the ground as something entered into the room, its clucking gait roiling past Mikota.

“Are you…awake, Mikota?”

Weightless, melodic, falling gently in his ears - the tender, delectable voice.

Ms. Evaine

Mikota opened his eyes, laying his gaze to his right. It really was her, facing him directly as she sat on an oddly contrapted metal chair - cobbled together with bronze sinews and spines, like the umbrella from yesterday.

By the sides…are those wheels?

Evaine met his gaze, smiling lightly.

“Quite the fancy stead, I'm sure you'll agree. Gift from a friend as a show of goodwill, or so he said… well, anyhow - good morning, Mikota. Your feat from last night would suggest Dragon Blood can keep away even the gait of Maeraujra! Were you meditating just now?”

“U-uh…no…not really - I just…kind of woke up-”

He felt her hand alighting over his, its warmth pouring into him, as her quick, grey eyes softened.

“At ease, Mikota. I'm glad to see you well”

“...Ms. Evaine”

“What is it, dear?”

How do you use demons?

“...I-I'm..”

I can't ! It's too implicating…

“...yes?”

“I'm sorry I went out in the forest without...I should’ve been more careful…”

Evaine pursed her lips, leaning her cheeks against an upturned palm.

She knows I didn't …

“Curiosity is never a bad thing, Mikota - even though it often does get you in harm's way. When you prepare for anything, you give yourself a life ripe with all the kinds of happiness that one can feel. Rest assured that whatever you do, at least here, I won't let anything happen to you”

…all of that…then why…how could you?

“...yes, ma’am”

“..A little too formal, don't you think, Mikota?”

Mikota gulped, curling up his lip.

“Force of habit, Ms. Evaine. I'm sorry about that”

Sighing, she pulled her hand away, all the warmth vapouring away into a chilling trace of a palm.

“I really don't know how I come off as, but if you feel I'm good with children, you’re sorely mistaken. You're just a very sweet boy, Mikota”

“...thank you”

Evaine fingered her chin, smile widening just a little.

'”So…did you find out?”

“…find out?”

“Just how Dragon you are?”

….what?

Then opening her palm, she offered it to Mikota.

“Try it”

The cream white skin of her palm lay utterly bare before him, her fingers curling in ever so slightly as he stared on.

“Ms. Evaine…I don't understand”

“Hmm…we'll have to be a bit quiet about this. Now - blow! Come on. One little puff. ”

She wants me to…blow?

Sucking his breath in, Mikota pushed the air in his longs over her palm. He saw his breath roil in a cloudy mist, leisurely hurtling towards her palm.

I know it's hot enough to see, but…

A curl of his breath sagged on, unravelling its length as it neared Evaine's palm.
It's moving so-hghh!?

And brushing her skin, it suddenly erupted in aureate pleats, billowing out in brilliant cinder petals, before quickly withering away in ember specks. Mikota shivered as heat poured away from it, rippling into his face.

“W-Wow…that's …”

“Magic. Incredible, isn't it? I did lie a bit, though - while you do have Dragon blood, you can't blow fire…not like this, at least. What you saw was a part of my magic"

Evaine's face had flushed, her eyes sparkling alongside the widest smile he'd ever seen on her face.

Ms. Evaine…you wanted to show the wonder of magic…so that moment has finally come has it?

“...no…”

Evaine's smile faltered, her eyebrows knitting close.

“...it really is really wonderful. To control heat, light, sound…it's amazing…Saridus, that is”

Mikota finally looked at her, meeting her gaze completely.

“As his contractor, I imagine you have full control over his abilities”

Tears - don't you dare…finally looking at me with your real eyes, Ms. Evaine?

Her eyes had resumed their piercing stare into him, half squinting as they discerned everything about him. Her smile slowly returned, pouring lithely into her lips once more.

“....So…? Have you decided what to do? Will you free him, Mikota?”

“...I have no knowledge of how to forge or dispel contracts of a demon…and I don't want it either…and…I had a feeling you already knew everything about me and Saridus…so then why did you…let it…?”

Evaine chuckled softly, running her fingers through his hair.

“That's for me to know, and you to find out, hmm? Just know that this tower was never mine to begin with”

…this isn't your tower?

“Well then - it seems you'll be up and awake in no time. Ah, and before I forget-”

The mage fished something from her pocket, deftly placing it in Mikota's palm.

Folded paper.

“...Ried dropped by while you were asleep - I'd called him over to send the girls back safely, but they insisted on waiting till you were fine. There was quite the ruckus, actually - Ried gave them a rather serious talk...but then again, he knows all the adventuring code much more justly than I do. Well then, dear. I'll be off.”

Evaine gave a wave as she wheeled back out, the door shutting beside him.

Mikota wheezed, collapsing back into the bed - his throat tightening as he clutched the paper tighter.

“Oh no…I got too caught up…why did I give it away? Idiot - Fool! What is she…g-going to do…no…if she already knows…and she hasn't done anything yet…”

What is she trying to do? Should I check on Saridus now? She just used him now for that fire

Mikota palmed his face - wincing, as he gasped: his throat flesh parched hard - cutting into itself as he tugged in breaths…was he…spinning?

One.

His breath…it was shallowing again, tremble quietening.

Two.

Quieter. More even.

Three

His throat unshackled, breaths drawing easy now.

Okay…okay…

Raising his head, he fingered the locket around his neck, flipping it over and setting his thumb beneath the lip of its lid.

Should I?

Sighing, he let the locket fall between his fingers, thumping softly against his chest.

Just in case…I don't want him in a tough spot

“Ms. Evaine…just what kind of mage are you?”

~

Dear Mikky,

Heard you went for a little stroll in the forest the other day. That's cool and all, but HOW COULD YOU? Three girls on the same day? That's worse than my rep, you traitorous wretch. Was gonna wake you up, but you were knocked out so clean I thought why bother?

Now: butt’s up - I checked your saber this morning - what’ve you been hitting - Pillows? Where are the scratches of blood, sweat, tears and the 20 or so mushrooms we've eaten on its wood(don't tell Mom - snitches get stitches)? Get back to work!

(PS: Think pinkie has the hots for you. I'm watching you from afar, for you are now a wise grasshopper)

“The hots? Pinkie? Don't tell me is it some kind of code? Then again, this is Ried, so… ”

Mikota smirked lightly, folding the paper back into a little rectangle, before slipping it in his pocket.

“Well, Ried...guess I'll hold onto it until you’re back…his handwriting’s nearly as bad as mine - but still legible, Saridus. Mine is…slowly starting to resemble written script’

Saridus…I…

Mikota stopped the thought. What good would it do? Promising things he couldn’t know if he could see through? If he promised something, it would be something he knew he could keep. He had to stop dreaming. And he had to know. He couldn’t not know, because…

…because what? I don’t even have an answer. What am I even thinking about?

His fingers curled around the knob of the door, gingerly twisting it open as he swivelled it open.

~

“Do you idiots realise what you’ve done? If the guild finds about this, each and every one of you will be stripped out of your ranks and thrown outside the Association. The only reason - and I do emphasise only - you even walked out of that forest alive is because my little brother risked his goddamn life to get your sorry faces out of the dumbest decision you three ever made in your life - safe and sound. Do you understand that?”

Daebla-jhar. She finally met him, face to face. And got a fucking scolding.

For some reason, she could play the full thing again and again in her mind, with all the contempt he’d slapped in while spitting all that non-stop. Yeah, it maybe wasn’t the smartest decision - but how was she supposed to know it would get that bad?

You’re ignoring the part where Celia supposedly died…

And there was that. Something she was informed about just this morning.

The girl shook her head, lying it down on the dining table.

There was Daebla-jhar being an absolute prick, and the Witch of the Crown being a very nice lady, considering all the horrific stories of her concocting particularly delightful monsters she’d heard about from Pops…and there was that boy. Mikota.

‘They are as much my priority as they are yours. I will not let harm come to them - please trust me’

The girl tossed her head aside, cheeks flushing.

“...who says that? Grabbing my face and all and…”

…I do trust you, Mikota…more than anyone else here…you did exactly what you told me, while I sat there crying like an idiot for hours…because you…no one’s ever done that for me…ever…

It was just so…surreal, the first time they met. It was just a matter of moments before the Yelion would’ve ripped apart her umbrella, before he just…took it out. Offered his hand. And went along with her plan. His face was so…innocent, but he seemed to be more sure of himself than she was while they were walking together - and he even figured out how she was tracking the others with her ear piece.

I thought he was a girl first…heh...that’s probably why I didn’t…but I’m glad he is one…I guess it'd pretty weird if I was into girls all of a sudden- WHAT AM I THINKING ABOUT?

Yeah, thinking about this sort of thing never did her any good. Besides, after what happened with Jhon…

I’m glad I finally know someone like you, Mikota

Then, reaching out beneath the table, her fingers curled around the smooth length of metal - her staff. Anytime she felt a little dizzy, all she had to do was hold it for a bit.

Pops, being as ingenious as he was, wasn’t particularly happy when his only apprentice decided to walk out one day and become an adventurer.

But even when he wasn’t pleased, he never went against her - no when she made up her mind - she’d kick up a fuss anytime he did. Even when she herself didn’t know what she’d got so riled up for. But the staff he gave her was to let her do what she wanted, when she wanted. And so that he would be with her, all the way.

I feel just fine…it’s all according to plan

Just then, one of the doors creaked open, and a boy slowly pulling himself out of the room. Dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants, his dense black hair lay clamped back with a clip, curly tresses dropping from either side over his ears. That slightly downcast look, and the little mole underneath his eye. Mikota.

The girl stood up, clearing her throat.

‘Uh…excuse me - Mikota, right?’

The boy looked up, dully searching around his stare rather jaded compared to yesterday.

What happened? His senses were keener than mine back in the forest

She raised her hand, waving towards him.

‘I’m here’

Mikota snapped his neck in her direction, his eyes clearing up a little.

“Mikota?”

“Yes, that is I…I mean…hi”

‘Yeah. Hi.’

Tell him, idiot!

He looked around squinting, before returning his gaze back to her.

“So…where are your friends? One of them should still be sleeping, but…I have a…something to apologise about to the other - but anyway, sorry about my…uh…”

The boy bent his neck, formally bowing.

“My name is Mikota. May I have your name?”

He’s bowing!? This guy just keeps getting…

The girl got up from the table, walking up to him. Then reaching out, she offered him her hand.

“Hey, Mikota…my name’s Chanelle”

~

So…when do I stop bowing?

“...you can stop now. The bowing, I mean”

“A-ah…yeah”

Mikota lifted his head, finding the girl - Chanelle’s hand outstretched.

Does…she want something?

“Well…Chanelle…nice…name?”

Chanelle squinted at him, her lip tugging up unsurely.

‘You…do know what’s a handshake…right?’

‘Yeah! Sure I do…it’s uh…uh…well, just in case, you can just tell me…maybe?’

A smile poured into her lips, until suddenly - they parted, a chuckle rippling, loud and clear, before she caught his hand, drawing it nearer and setting it against hers.

It’s cold…but compared to how she looked in the forest

‘In a handshake, two people put their palms together…just like this, and-’

Gripping his hand tighter, she quickly oscillated it three times.

‘-shake it like this. That’s how usually greet someone, instead of bowing’

Mikota knit his brow, fingering his chin

‘But bowing is to express courtesy, especially when you don’t know the person on a personal basis’

‘You know my name, and I know yours. That’s pretty personal, right?’

‘...if you say so…well then…should we take a seat at the table?’

‘Yeah, let’s…wait, your arm - it’s all scratched up!’

‘Nothing too significant - it’s alright, really’

‘...okay…’

Mikota dragged out two chairs, quietly sliding into one, while Chanelle seated in the other, beside him.

Should I say something? It’s kind of…weird looking at her just yet

‘Listen, Mikota…I just wanted to say that I’m…really glad that you came when you did. Your brother…he’s right - the decision I made endangered all our lives, regardless of the reason’

‘My brother?’

‘Yeah? Aren’t you his little brother - you-know, Daebla-jhar’s? ’

‘Daebla…oh! You mean Ried?’

Little brother.

Mikota felt a smile perking at his lips

‘Ried…that’s his name? I see. Well, anyway - I’m sorry you got wrapped in our quest…’

Quest - right, they were in the forest because of a mission from a Guild!

“Chanelle…can I ask you about your quest?”

Mikota glanced at her hesitantly. All the smile was gone

“...we were hunting down the Yelion…There was good money for it. It was running away from us at first, so I thought it was alright if we went into the forest - we could each split up, find it easy, and get back to the guild and cash out good. Well. Exactly the opposite of that happened, and now we’re officially suspended by the Guild for a month. Tch…it’s hard to even…”

“You split up…but left your other friends together”

Chanelle sighed, holding her head.

“Celia can’t hear. She’s a pretty decent archer, but her going on her own would be a really bad idea”

Well, it was bound to be something like that

“So you did give yourselves the best chances, even though you entered the forest”

Chanelle scoffed, her arms falling on the table as she stared ahead.

‘Didn’t get us anywhere, did it? Look…Mikota, it’s…I’m fine…alright?’

Don’t want to talk right now?

Snuffing, Mikota stood up, placing his hand on her shoulder - Chanelle, spinning her head towards him, lips parting as her cheeks gained ruddy.

‘I’m glad to know you are. By the way, shouldn’t you have left while Ried was around?’

‘H-how could I do that? Leaving you without even…that would be so rude to you!’

Rude to me?

“In that case - thank you for being so considerate, Chanelle. I’m glad we talked”

“Of course I would be! And…it was good talking to you too”

~

Stepping outside the tower, Mikota felt the morning breeze wet his skin, pouring over his body in wafting throbs. His tresses pushed back, tucking at his ears against the wind, as he squinted at the around.

On top of the mountain, where all the land around gently curled below. And the horizon bowered by the bark pillars of the forest - for those trees knew no branches by any eye - piercing the heavens first.

Trees taller than the mountain…still doesn’t make a shred of sense.

Closer to where he stood tall weeds sprayed from the sparring field a little further down - near the edge of the forest, leaning in the gale their svelte, emerald spokes.

Hmm…there’s a bit of red there…is that…hah - it is someone! Can’t be the archer, so…
that’s the girl I chopped asleep, right?

Mikota blew air back against the wind, rapidly tapping his thumb against his curled up index.

Okay, I genuinely need Saridus for this one-

Slipping his fingers underneath his shirt, he pulled out the locket, flipping it open, and clamping the lid behind.

“...Saridus?”

One second passed.

Two.

“Yes, that is I. How do you feel?”

“...I…really messed it up for you…”

“I would agree with you, were it any other mage other than Evaine. I’ve known her since she was a wee little kid, Mik, just like you. Heh - how do I put this? She’s a ‘New Age Mage’. Human values change as civilisations rise and fall, starting with a little ripple here and a ripple there, before the whole ocean of tendency flows in one tide. She is a little ripple, Mik”

“A ripple? What do you mean?”

“An outlier, and an origin for revolution”

“...I’m…not following”

“Fair enough. But let’s just say I found a bit more about cube thingy…and I think it might be something up your alley…you might not want to shut her out just yet, is what I’m saying”

“But she uses you! How are you fine with that!?”

“Relax, Mik. I’m used to it - besides, considering my…experiences…right now? Probably the least painful stretch I’ve ever had. Although it does warm my soul to know that you care so much - you’ve grown stronger, Mikota. You finally spoke your mind to someone other than me; right then, you were ready to be disliked, if it meant being who you are. Nothing gladdens me more”

I was ready…to be disliked…was that it?

“...So it was your power? The fire flower?”

“Yeah. It’s the very first thing she contracted me for, when she was 11 - that’s also why she’s just fine knowing it’s me you’re talking to - although she failed to mention it’s not exactly the best idea to do exactly that with demons in general. You can imagine why most of my kin are vengeful. That girl is far more delicate than she needs to be. For a mage, that is.

“...Saridus…I think…I never told you how…I’m so lucky you’re the demon I met…I mean…in retrospect, it could’ve been so much worse. I…don’t like it when people just can’t be themselves without forcing it on others…but even still…you really don't want vengeance?”

“Hahh…I’ve had my vengeance so often, won so thoroughly, that none of that matters to me - at this point, at least. A 1000 years, Mikota. A 1000 years of going through the same thing again, and again…you know what I mean. While I am of course overflowing with divinity and wisdom, I don’t have those ‘wants’ anymore. Tch…maybe…spending all that time in this tower kind of put things in perspective, I suppose”

“...I can’t even imagine…”

“Don’t, Mikota. No one should ever have to. Well? As flattering as it would be to bring me out just for a heart to heart, I’m assuming that’s not what you called me for?”

“...I…I changed my mind just now. I wanted to know how to apologise to…‘leaf girl’...but I suppose what I need for her is exactly that. A heart to heart. Just…give me a signal or something if I need to stop, just in case”

“Pfft - with her? You won’t be needing that. But anywho - shall we?”

“I suppose we shall. Hope Ried isn’t too disappointed about me counting this as my morning walk”

“If you need…okay, I suppose his recent actions do call for a name promotion - alright: If you need the approval of Classic Bongo Drums, you need a hobby”

“Isn’t that…the same name?”

Saridus gasped sharply, Mikota’s glance flicking to the locket, catching him holding his head in cradling hands.

“...how could you? Classic and Casual are Orders of Magnitude different!!”

Mikota smiled, looking up.

Hmm…rather Sunny

Slowly drawing his saber out, Mikota notched it against the Sun - the tip black against the flush melodies pouring off its ardent bleed - tresses of the blanched, torrid pore arcing amid the pallid all beyond in drenching mullions.

“Wouldn’t it be cool if you could just…move the Sun around, like this-”

He swerved his blade in a little arc, stopping it a little to his right.

“Move around the Sun…you know what? That could be…that could be pretty interesting, actually. A lot of phenomena are related to the Sun’s light - rainbows, for example. You could make those on a whim if you toss around that bright ball”

“Rainbow? What’s that?”

“When the sky’s split apart by colours. One big arc, all bunched together. The Sun has to sit out while it rains”

World split apart…by colours?

“...what colours?”

“All of them, Mikota. Every single one”

“Every single…are you serious!? Have you seen it?”

“Nope…my glorious sight has yet to chance upon it personally.”

A smile dented his lips as he lowered his saber, sighing deeply.

“How much longer, Saridus? When can I leave the mountain?”

“Well, I actually have good new for you there - remember that one time where you cut yourself up to save Formerly-Bowelless girl? You’re technically working against less Dragon blood now - I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just a month more”

A month!? That’s it!?

“Let’s catch that damn rainbow!”

“That’s the damn rainbow, Mik - our’s shall be Glorious!”