"Raymed!"
Thalamik woke up from his sleep with his hand reaching toward the ceiling of his house.
He had fallen asleep on the couch after exhausting himself by using Alterity over the entirety of South Jaka City. He can only maintain it for around 45 minutes, so it's a big no in terms of feasibility.
"Oh! Master! You're already awake," Momoka said from the kitchen as Thalamik noticed a familiar aroma. "Are you cooking chicken?" Thalamik asked.
"Yes. To be exact, it's Chicken Cordon Bleu."
"CHICKEN CORDON—!" Thalamik coughed. "Wow! Didn't know you could cook that."
"I figured it's kind of a nice gesture, you know. You helped me a lot in training. Plus, you always buy me ice cream even though you're always hard on me," Momoka said before she presented the dish at the dining table.
Thalamik instinctively moved toward the dining table and sat.
"Here you go, Chicken Cordon Bleu!" Momoka presented Thalamik's favorite food.
"Amazing!" he said before grabbing the fork and knife.
As he started slicing the food, Momoka sat down and watched him with a genuine smile. Noticing the stare, Thalamik cut the Cordon Bleu in half before cutting it again into small bites. After taking a piece, he passed the plate, along with the utensils, to Momoka. "Here, have half—you made this, after all!" Thalamik said with a smile.
"Thank you," Momoka said before using the fork and taking a bite of a piece Thalamik had cut earlier. "Tastes amazing!"
"Right? You're a really great cook!" Thalamik said.
"I do wonder, though. Is there any particular reason why you like this dish?" Momoka asked as she finished chewing.
"Why do I like this dish, huh? Well, it's kind of a long story... but, to put it simply..." Thalamik took one piece into his mouth. "I like it because it reminds me of my family's warmth," he said.
"Ah~ I get what you mean," Momoka said. Thalamik started chewing before passing the plate again to Momoka. "When you eat this food, it reminds you of how beautiful life is with your family."
"Bingo! That's my protégé!" Thalamik winked.
"I thought Addison was your protégé," Momoka said before eating another piece.
"You both are!" he said with pride.
"It's actually weird seeing you this happy and warm," Momoka said.
Thalamik just noticed it too before his head turned to look around him. He chuckled and said, "Somehow... the environment here—our moment here—makes it feel like nothing bad ever happened to me. But yeah, I am awfully upbeat somehow," Thalamik said before seeing Momoka's face.
Unlike his, Momoka's face wasn't decorated with a smile. "Tell me how, Master."
"Tell you how?"
"How is it that you stayed strong still?"
"I stayed strong still?"
"I am sorry, but I asked around regarding your case—about your past."
"Ah... I see." Thalamik closed his eyes before asking, "Momoka, are you feeling that, at the moment, you are not strong?"
"I do. I feel lacking."
"What is it that you are feeling?"
"I feel you're incomprehensible, Master." Momoka looked at Thalamik with serious eyes. Thalamik noticed the aggression, but he didn't react with aggression. He put away the dish as soon as he heard that and listened intently to Momoka.
"I don't understand. I don't understand. You have every chance to find and kill that bitch Zuatha once and for all. I know it has just been one year since you came to the academy. But still, you managed to find who was behind it all. Yet, at the last second, you never do what needs to be done," Momoka sighed. "What is it that you're feeling—to have a clear advantage yet never seize the moment?"
Thalamik smiled at her words.
"Do you ever think you've failed because, after so long, you haven't avenged her yet?"
Thalamik's smile disappeared. "Then, to you, Momoka..." He nudged and said, "To you, is your fiancé just an excuse for you to do whatever the fuck you want? To forsake how the world works? To you, is your fiancé nothing but revenge fuel? A lighter in your sad revenge story?"
"I—I never said—"
"You didn't! But... if you forsake everything to get what you want, is that what your fiancé would've wanted? Is that how you want to spend your life—living for him to do evil things like the evil people that took him away from you?"
Momoka stared at Thalamik. She rose, grabbing Thalamik's collar as she gritted her teeth. "It makes no sense! How can you love someone without feeling extreme hatred for the people who took them from you! It makes no sense!"
"Momoka... I do feel hatred, yet I contain it. I control it. It's because—"
"BUT I'M NOT YOU, MASTER!"
Thalamik's eyes widened.
"I'm not you, Master..." Momoka's grip on Thalamik lessened. "I never achieved anything. I've never even gotten close to finding who the killer is. All I have now is a clue that the King of the Fey might know. But that's it. I haven't even gotten as close as you are."
Her hands touched Thalamik's arms. "The last thing I need from you—the last thing I need—is you convincing me that this is not the right thing to do! How can I trust that you won't jeopardize me when that time finally comes!"
"I am sorry you feel that way, Momoka." Thalamik looked away from her. "If I ever made you feel that way, I am deeply sorry."
Momoka's grip on his arm lessened as she retracted it, "Master... I..."
"It's okay, Momoka. Perhaps your head is not quite right yet. That's okay."
"I am sorry if I..."
"No need," Thalamik put his hand on her shoulder. "I am proud of you. Because of that, I think you have no real part in waging this war with me."
"What do you mean?"
"For me, South Jaka City is a city worth protecting. It's my home. Yet you aren't here because of that, are you?"
"Master, I want to—"
"No. Please don't force yourself on my ideals. It's not right, Momoka."
"I never meant it like th—"
"Momoka. I have one favor to ask instead."
Momoka stayed silent as she nodded.
"I want you to take my in-laws, Surya included, and Raymed's remaining family to the United Front. I also want you to spread the news of what's going to happen here over the next seven days."
"But Master..."
"It's okay. I have a plan that is guaranteed to do well against Raum."
"What if that plan fails?"
"...Then perhaps I am done for," Thalamik said with a nervous smile. "But at least, everything I taught you will live on. I do hope you can find the person who took everything from you. If I do survive, I hope this is my proof that I will never betray you. I will acknowledge your anger, fear—whatever you are feeling—and choose your side when you need it the most, especially when it's concerning your late fiancé," Thalamik said with a warm smile.
"Master..."
"Don't worry. I'll see you soon. In the meantime, take care of my family, including Raymed, Carmilla, and Addison," Thalamik said.
Momoka nodded before smiling with tears. "Alright, Master. I'll do it."
"That's good. What do you say we finish our food first before we clean this up?" Thalamik spoke to Momoka regarding what they should continue to do. They continued their activities as the city turned to night.
Then, a black moth flew by.
***
After four days, Thalamik still practiced alone, waiting for his friends to come tomorrow.
He had heard the news of Raymed's disappearance.
Thalamik sighed as he said, "To think he would disappear at this time. Seems like a perfectly well-placed trap."
Nonetheless, for Thalamik, this situation made him feel nervous.
Carmilla also hadn't sent him any mail back.
To fight a Demon Lord Envoy alone.
Thalamik suddenly remembered his fight with Paimon.
-~
"Is this really all you've got, Invader?" Paimon taunted, her voice dripping with condescension. "Pathetic."
-~
I had won.
No, I only managed to stall her.
Can I even hope to defeat Raum on my own?
Thalamik shook his head, trying to stay calm. His fingers began shaking as another memory came to mind.
-~
"I am Baal... the First Rank, Demon Lord Envoy."
-~
The memory of fighting Baal and Paimon.
Somehow those memories resurfaced.
Am I afraid?
Am I afraid to fight Demon Lord Envoys?
No, I am not afraid...
But... what I did before.
Thalamik held his head before another memory came to mind again.
-~
"We can't," I said sharply. "We can't possibly go. We need intel first. A plan. We're not ready to face Demon Lord Envoys head-on."
Ray stared in the direction where Trish and Lulu had disappeared.
"They're going, Thal," Ray spoke with a rough voice. "Charging headfirst into death, maybe. But they're not hesitating."
"And that's exactly why it's reckless," I snapped. My grip tightened unconsciously. "This isn't a game. This is real. Once you're caught in it, there's no coming back."
-~
Thalamik didn't want to accept it.
Thalamik didn't want to accept that all this time, he had been afraid.
But he himself didn't understand what made him scared.
Ever since he came back to South Jaka City, his fear suddenly grew bigger and bigger.
Thalamik's heart beat quickly as he tried his best to control his breathing.
A memory resurfaced from the depths of his mind—
a never-recurring dream that he had long ago.
-~
Amus's eyes filled with understanding and a grace beyond any earthly measure. "It wasn't your fault. You did everything you could and more. You loved us—that's what matters."
-~
As he remembered her voice, Thalamik took a deep breath once again.
Perhaps I was afraid...
Not afraid to fight...
But I am afraid to lose...
I am afraid to lose and be unable to help those I care about...
Thalamik gripped his fists as he closed his Alterity.
He looked at the time, which showed that he had been using Alterity for two hours straight without rest. His range was that of the entire Jaka province. The rule he imposed was that his mana roots would blend with the environment.
Then the doorbell rang.
"Is Dwargo already here at this hour in the evening? " Thalamik said before looking through the eyehole. He saw a woman wearing a nightgown and unusually red eyes. One look and Thalamik instantly remembered who this was.
He took a deep breath before opening the door. "Welcome, Ms. Raumstar. Or should I call you Demon Lord Envoy Raum?" His eyes filled with fiery mana.
"Hello, Kaiser how have you been these past five days?" She gave Thalamik a warm smile as she gestured gracefully.
***
A smartphone rang as Diko, who was currently staying in the hotel, picked it up. "What is it, Thalamik? Any news?"
"Can you take over and meet Dwargo for our weapons shipment?"
"Sure thing. But this is so unlike you. Is the situation on your end okay?"
"Not so great. But I think I'll be fine. Thanks, Diko." Thalamik ended the call abruptly.
"Something is definitely wrong. I can feel it."
***
Thalamik walked through the city of South Jaka side by side with Raum as she began to ask him.
"How have you been faring this last week?"
"I am fine."
"I see."
As they entered a park area, Thalamik let out a sigh before saying, "Thanks for your courtesy of not engaging in battle in my house. However, I must ask you—tell me what you want, Raum." Thalamik turned to her as he nudged closer.
"Well... nothing in particular. What I want to ask you is..." Raum smiled playfully. "Would you care for a walk before I destroy your beloved city?"
Thalamik didn't buy the provocation; he adjusted his coat before saying, "Care for a walk, huh? Destroying my city, huh? Did you really think it would be that easy for me to comply, Ms. Raum? I thought you were a politician."
"My~ my~ I never thought you'd researched a lot about my background. Indeed, perhaps we should add something interesting to our 'date.'"
"If we are walking around my city, you will inevitably get information. Hence, I want compensation in kind: information," Thalamik said.
"Well~ well~" Raum giggled before nudging closer to Thalamik. Her hands moved onto his chest. Her eyes glowed red as mana began to flow. "Why the hell would a Demon Lord Envoy ever make a deal with a mere human?" Raum said.
Thalamik forcefully grabbed her arms, gripping them tightly as Raum made an uncomfortable face. "Ouch, what are you—"
"My answer to that, Ms. Raum, is because you are bored." He pushed her away. "You are looking for something interesting to do. You are already very confident that you will win the war. Hence, you are bored, since there's no excitement in just winning a war."
Raum, despite his act of refusal, smiled again, amused. "Seems you know a great deal about me. Not just my politician self, but also my mindset as a Demon Lord Envoy."
"Lucky for you, I—who have faced five Demon Lord Envoys in my lifetime—am willing to consider showing you around. In exchange for information. Isn't that interesting enough?"
"Haha! Well said, human. Your pride in yourself interests me, as does how you act so devilishly. In fact, you should join us, Thalamik..." Raum said as she put her hand on her chin. "But no... if only you weren't such a goody two shoes."
Thalamik didn't respond but just stared at Raum.
"Fine—I'll promise that we can play Two Truths and One Lie at the end of our 'date.' Deal?"
"Deal."
***
Both of them walked to M-Bloc at Raum's request.
As they walked to the street food stall, steam billowed from the gulai cart.
Raum moved closer with interest like a student. "What makes it look like that?" she asked.
"Gulai is composed of turmeric and coconut milk," Thalamik said. "From there, you just stir from the bottom until the spices sink."
She copied the motion as she watched the stall owner.
She walked closer and ordered a bowl—but not the whole dish, just the broth.
She walked toward Thalamik again as she tasted it. "It tastes good. I can feel layers of taste. Heavy first, then bright." She smiled before handing the bowl to Thalamik, "Don't you want to try some?"
Thalamik pushed the bowl away from himself. "I am not in the mood."
"Figures. You're a man of discipline. With a level of discipline like yours, you can accomplish just about anything. Try it over and over again until it persuades." A small, approving nod.
Thalamik paid no mind to what she said.
"Speaking of persuasion. I heard that you have done very well."
Thalamik looked at her without much care.
"Indeed, after great efforts, your team successfully convinced the military forces of Indonexta to get ready and comply for our 'war.' Especially those ruling in South Jaka."
Thalamik stared blankly.
"I can't believe in a mere five days, you managed to convince the entire country not to give in to the fear. They all just complied to reject the illegal pseudo artifact shipment. How foolish."
"Perhaps the broth is too oily. Hence why you are speaking incoherently," Thalamik said. "Lime helps it taste better." He handed her a lime.
Raum smiled before pinching the lime and drinking the broth once again.
They drifted to a crepe stall.
They drifted to a crepe griddle.
Batter hissed thin; a wooden rake drew neat circles.
Raum's eyes followed the lines.
"Is there a particular reason why the person making this waited before folding?"
"So it holds its shape," he said. "But if you wait too long, then it will break down into pieces."
As they both got their crepe, Thalamik ate in a way to preserve the shape of the crepe until only he had to break it, trying his best to keep the "V"-like shape until the end.
"Do you particularly like it when it stays in shapes?" Raum asked.
"I do," he said.
"Does it contribute to how delicious it is?"
"Not really."
As they walked toward a street display of retro signs, Raum spoke again. "You prefer when things keep their shape."
She glanced past the awning where a plane traced a white line across the night.
"As they might say, shapes travel better when planned. Something planned is always better than something spontaneous." A beat, mild as weather. "It reminded me that you also evacuated your parents, along with your protégé. I saw you at the airport a couple days ago. Are you sure you want to die alone in this war? Or—more likely—are you planning to die alone in this war to keep your 'shapes'? That is, your loved ones?"
"Terminal B after midnight—really nice," he said, dusting sugar from his fingers. Thalamik spoke, avoiding the conversation.
Raum just smiled, amused.
Both of them entered Solariya, the place where Thalamik usually eats Chicken Cordon Bleu.
As the dish arrived, Raum cut it gracefully and asked, "Why do they call it Cordon Bleu?"
"I think it means Blue Ribbon. A special dish of some sort," Thalamik said before eating.
After a few minutes, Raum smiled and tapped the plate, "The crust holds even when cut. I like that." She set down her fork, studying the table again. She noticed that even though there were two of them, Thalamik picked a seat with four chairs—a table for four. "You always leave room," she said, the words landing soft as a verdict. "Room for what isn't here yet."
"It's a habit. Even if there are two people, it's always great to have more space."
"A habit is a map," she said. "It tells me that you are indeed connected to those two." A beat.
"Raymed and Carmilla. Will they even come here to help you? Or are you thinking you're at my level?"
He tasted, considered. "Even though the dish is perfection," he said, "you can't help but crave a chocolate milkshake, right?"
Raum chuckled, pleased by his deflection because it confirmed the thing she'd already decided.
She cut another precise bite, mirrored his pace without meaning to. "Solariya is efficient," she said, nodding toward the kitchen. "And you—" her gaze returned to the two empty chairs, "—are consistent. That's why you are so strong."
***
At Raum's request, both of them were on top of M-Bloc's mall rooftop, overlooking Jaka province. On the rooftop, the city lights stretched like a living map.
"It feels nice, doesn't it?" she asked.
Wind tugged at her gown as she turned to him.
"Tell me," she said softly, "what do you feel when you see this face?"
Her skin rippled.
Hair shifted from black to blondish-white, her features molded into elven grace.
Her face had turned into that of Zuatha Il Zikmel.
Thalamik's hand clenched before he forced it still.
"That's..." He gritted his teeth before saying slowly, "That is the face of someone I hate deeply."
"I see hate. Not fear?"
"How can I be afraid of someone as weak as her," Thalamik said with a nervous smile.
"Fair point," she snapped her fingers, her face reverting. "Then let's play, Thalamik."
***
A game of Two Truths and One Lie.
In a sense, it's a parlor duel dressed as a game.
Each side offers three statements: two honest, one false, and the opponent must hear and decide which one is the lie or honesty.
"But... as a rule, I won't confirm any of the statements. I will also not ask you to confirm which one is the lie. Nor is it needed for us to guess which one is the lie or the truth," Raum said, waving her hands.
"So it's a game without any confirmation of each other's statements. Very well."
"Great, then you start," Raum said.
Thalamik's tone turned clinical. "You can't get from here to Australia on a Leviathan without being spotted. The only hope you have to reach Jaka City's harbor is via the Banda Sea, then to the Java Sea, which is shallow. So—are you using a portal to manifest your forces directly?"
Raum smiled. "No. I'm not using a portal." She stuck out her tongue. "I thought you could've known a better plan by now."
He nodded, eyes narrowing slightly. "Your turn."
She twirled a lock of hair. "Since you asked, do you have a plan if I do use one?"
"I do," Thalamik said.
"Wow, so sad to hear that your plan won't work, though!" she said.
"Next question." His gaze hardened. "Is your cheat skill related to fear?"
Raum's lips curved wider. "No, it isn't."
Then it was her turn again, her tone lowered to a whisper that wasn't her own.
"Did you ever deal with your fears... of your late wife's death?"
For a heartbeat, her voice mimicked that of Amus.
The rooftop lights dimmed in Thalamik's vision.
His breath quickened, only to calm down again. "I never dealt with it for good," he said quietly. "It remains in my heart, unsolved."
Raum's eyes gleamed. "Touching. You really love your wife that much. I like that."
Her smile twisted. "It's your turn now!"
Thalamik sighed before saying, "What do you think of the other races—especially humans? You seem to be enjoying the time here. What do you think of human culture?"
Raum's eyes widened in interest as she laughed uncontrollably before opening her mouth, "Human culture is boorish. There's nothing here that doesn't feel empty."
With a dark smile she spoke again, "Street foods? Video games? What a joke. There's nothing that I did today that I enjoyed. I feel like killing every person I met today just to have a nice warm feeling in me." Raum smiled crazily.
"On that note, Thalamik the Fiend Kaiser. Do you actually ever think of us—Demonfolk—ever coexisting?" she asked with an amused smile.
Thalamik retorted with another smile and said, "Fuck no."
A beat of silence.
Then both giggled knowingly.
Raum gave a mock curtsey. "Two truths, one lie. It was the pleasantries. More than any of the activities we did on our 'date.'"
"I didn't enjoy anything," he said. "The only thing I want today was information from you. Even though you only told me the truth when you said you hate us."
"I see." She turned as she started to float to leave, the city wind swirling her gown. "Thank you for your time, Thalamik. I'll be looking forward to your destruction."
"Go fuck yourself too, Raum," Thalamik said, presenting his middle finger to the Demon Lord Envoy.
Their smiles were identical—mirror images divided by morality.