13 Chapter 7: Desert Requiem 2 (1/2)

That night during our dinner...

Nora sat back down beside me as I sat on my usual seat which was the far end of the table.

The usual lively Stray who yells out 'lets eat!' or something to indicate the beginning of our meal is rather silent.

I watch Aeron as he calmly began eating. I suppose he looks better now than earlier. ”Let's eat, Aerra?” Nora invited as I nodded and picked my spoon up.

The food was tasteless this time.

But a food is a food.

Few minutes passed. The entire dinner was silent. Even the children started became restless as to why we're all was silent.

I peeked at Stray as he stared sightlessly at his plate, barely consumed it at all.

I sighed.

I feel bad for pushing the burden on him but it can't be helped. He's the strongest ally we have. Plus, he's also a devoted babysitter to the children. Including me and Aeron.

I chuckled at the idea.

The sound of a mercenary taking care of these tiny children is ironic.

—BAAMMM!!!!

My shoulders rose momentarily in surprise as I looked up at Stray who slammed both his hands on the table.

We all stared at him wide eyed.

I almost dropped my spoon.

What's wrong with him?

”I GOT IT!” He nods as if on argument with himself. ”That's right. This is the only way—!”

He took a deep breath and glared at me with his usual stern eyes

My back straightens in response.

”Aerra, become one with me” he says

My spoon clangs loudly as it drops down to my plate, escaping my grip.

Did I heard him right?

Aeron immediately stood up and slams both his hands on the table as well, ”What do you think you're asking, you bastard—!?”

Stray shook his head. ”Not just Aerra. You too Aeron! I think I can handle both of you even at the same time.”

Aeron just stood there mortified and petrified in shock. I think he might have turned into stone.

”Since we won't really know which twin will awaken first, its safe to just have both of you as my Meister. If we try to synchronize and succeed. You will both become my official and permanent Meisters.”

Oh. So that's what he meant by become one.

”Explanations later” he whispered while pointing out at the guard who stood by the door.

And yet announcing us as his Meister is fine with the guards, I assume?

We all just nodded anyway.

Aeron sat back down. ”Why did you have to make it sound weird?”

Stray laughs. ”It did? I suppose my mind just exploded at the idea that I didn't had the chance to consider if it sounded weird.”

He tousles Aeron head as he had a hearty laugh. ”What's wrong, kiddo? What did you think I was asking for? Wait— You didn't deny though. Hmm?”

”S-shut up!!!”

Aeron pouted and just ignored him, he went back eating in silence, allowing Stray to ruffle his hair wholly.

I'm just quite amaze how he's allowing Stray to mess his hair now. I guess they became close?

”Tomorrow we will be returning to the ruins below. Aerra, you're coming with me.” Stray stated as he looked at me.

I just nodded as I looked down my plate of soup.

Become Stray's Meister?

Like... have him as my own Familiar?

Would that be bad considering I might become the villainess someday?

If the priestess have Aeron as her Holy weapon, her very own Familiar.

And I have Stray as my own, what becomes of that battle?

How peculiar and yet it stirs curiosity inside me.

What kind of weapon would Stray and Aeron be?

Would it make a difference if I insisted to have them both as my own weapon even before the priestess arrives?

Wait! What am I thinking—!?

I sighed in defeat.

I just need to focus at the problem at hand.

First, we need to find a way to get out of this place. The priestess predicament will come later.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

When we were all back in our room.

Stray instructed for us to Stay to our bed while he sat nearby with the children, so it wouldn't hinder suspicion to Cerguz if ever he's trying to watch us.

Nora then took her instrument and begun to strum it randomly.

Stray began to speak low and quietly.

”If both of you become my Meister, we can release my true powers and I can complete my transformation. The time you both awaken with yours, our powers will join and we might even have a chance to face Cerguz.” Stated Stray as Aeron replied, ”Would that be enough to counter Cerguz' abilities?”

”He doesn't really paralyze people instantly. He loves playing around first. As if he feels like no one is able to defeat him under his domain so he just watches patiently what you try to do. He loves a struggle. It entertains him to watch people around him try. He's that confident— and true enough, no one has manage to impede his paralysis.”

”Then what's the point of all of these if no one hasn't even beaten him yet?” Aeron grumbled. ”You told me everyone has a weakness. And you've been here the longest. Surely you have an idea what his weakness by now?”

Stray rubs his chin, ”Well, his weakness is his over confidence. He underestimates everyone just because he's capable of paralyzing anyone.”

”How's that for a weakness?” Aeron bolted up and jumped off from his bed. ”That doesn't make sense!”

”Hey! Do you think I would still be here if I knew how to defeat him in the first place?!” Stray countered. As Aeron just stomped his feet down impatiently.

”I'm only thinking that maybe with my complete form and with either of you as my Meister, we can challenge him in a fight. When he begins to play, he usually focus more to his opponent infront of him. So while we distract him, Nora can flee the children away. After— we just need to aim to have him unconscious. We will have enough time to escape by ourselves by then!”

”Would you even think he would play fair?” Nora interrupted. ”Remember his favourite game he makes us play before he punish and torture us? He never plays fair with that.”

Favourite game—?

”Oh yeah.” Stray sighs in exasperation. ”But he usually cheats only when the game comes to an end.”

”In that case. We can stall him with a duel, long enough to allow the children to escape.” Aeron sits on the side of my bed, crossed legs. He lays his elbow on his knee as he rest his mouth on his palm. ”Nora, aren't your abilities about explosions?”

Nora straightens her back ”Yes, I can set any part of my body to explode.”

”Even if it's already detached from you?”

Nora stares at Aeron in surprise.

I watch Aeron as his eyes went serious.

Nora nods slowly. ”Yes, that's right.”

”Hey, what are you getting at?” I murmured, grabbing his shoulder.

”Her hair can explode” Aeron tells me. ”If we cut it up, you can make it explode, right?”

Oh.

Nora covers her mouth with her hands. ”I never thought of that! You're right. I think that just might work. But I never tried so I'm not sure how strong the impact will be.”

”It doesn't matter. We only need a distraction.”

We all looked at Aeron as he climbs back up to his bed. ”I think I have an idea but I haven't quite thought about it thoroughly... I'm just thinking— we need to have Cerguz accept a challenge for us at the pits. Of whoever awakens first, that means either me or Aerra following Stray's idea as being our weapon. And then....” Aeron went on explaining his tedious and elaborate plan for an escape. I didn't listen to most part since my mind kept flying off to the idea that Stray is asking to have us as his Meister.

I didn't even saw this development coming.

Would it be safe to say no? I wonder what's the right answer. I hope I don't dream about that red framed mirror again tonight...

”Wait!” Grunted Stray. ”I have so many questions regarding that!”

I looked around and realize they were still going at it.

Aeron shook his head. ”Like I said. It's only an idea— it still needs more work to fill in the flaws”

They all heaves a sigh.

Aeron's amazing—

Ah wait. No time to admire...

I also need to think.

I tried to recall what I heard from Aeron's suggestion. And realized that it doesn't sound good after all.

In the first place, asking a duel out in the pits sounds suspicious enough for me, what more for Cerguz? Hmm. Then—

”How about we beat him on his own game?” were the words that escaped from my mouth even before I could stop them.

Stray and Nora turned to look at me.

”No no no! It's nothing!” I shook my head in denial.

”We need all ideas if we want to make a good plan. Go ahead, Aerra.”

I sighed. ”What is his favourite game?”

Nora and Stray exchanged glances.

”He calls it 'Catching a Liar.'” replied Nora. ”It's his own made up game.”

”How does he play it?” I asked

”He will allow you to make six statements. He will try to tell if you're lying or not. If he caught you lying he will torture you physically. But if you persuaded him that you're telling the truth, he release you. But sometimes he cheats if he really feels like to watch you wallow in pain.” explains Nora.

”I suppose he's too bored and wants a challenge that's why he does that. The last time I played it with him, he lets me win. That's because I told him the truth, that I was only going out to get the berries for these children... But when he catches you lying... who knows what that sadistic bastard will do.” added Stray as he groans as if remembering something unpleasant.

Lying game, huh?

Since Cerguz can sense movements, maybe he likes to challenge his own capabilities in catching a lie. I wonder how does he sense it though...

Aeron's head pops out from above my bed. ”Don't even think about it. You're the easiest person to read.”

”I didn't even elect myself, dimwit!” I retorted immediately as he slowly goes back up.

”That's a dead end anyway. He's good at catching a lie.” Stray uttered crossing his arms.

We all sighed almost at the same time.

”For now let's all get a shut eye. I'll try to think about this until tomorrow. But let's just clear one thing— let's stick with the plan to sync with both of you. If we succeed, you will both become my Meister. Agree?”

Both Aeron and I agreed.

He stood up and began ushering the other children to go to their bed. And then he went back to his own.”Look guys, most of the children I knew from before already tried every possible way of escaping— they all did tried and gloriously failed...

—but none had tried to escape altogether since most of them usually gets scared. So right now... since all of us here are unified and the elites are all out. We might have a better chance at this.”

Nora stands up and sets her instrument aside. She spoke in a low quiet voice. ”No, this is our only shot now, Stray. We need to make this work. We're fewer in numbers compared before so escaping might be a lot easier. We must... do this now while the elites are gone.”

For a minute or so, they stared at each other.

Stray heaves a sigh. ”I know, Nora.... I know.”

I laid down my own bed and just watch them as Nora covered her eyes with her forearm. Stray lied down and turned about to faced the wall.

Now that I think about it. I wonder what kind of past did these two have?

Nora's my best friend now. I should at least ask her if accepting Stray as my weapon won't bother her, right?

I wonder if she likes him... that won't come a surprise if she does. After all, they both grew up together.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

That morning.

I woke up with the usual door bangings. ”Breakfast!”

I sat up and watch as Aeron climbs down from his bed as he just eyed me in silence before heading out the door. Hmm? Is he back in ignoring me?

”Aerra? Shall we go?”

I stood up as Nora wraps her arm around me.

”Nora, I have a weird question for you.” I murmured as we stepped out the room and closed the door behind us.

We marched in a line as Stray and Aeron precedes while the children follows. Nora and I walked a little from behind.

”What's your question?” she asks me, looking at me with her usual smile.

I opened my mouth. I should ask if she has feelings for Stray but the words won't form in my tongue. I closed my mouth back and sighed.

”What's wrong?” she insisted. ”Go ahead and ask away! No need to be shy!” she chuckled.

”Are you... Nora, do you umm —l-like Stray?”

”Of course. Why, don't you?”

Ah. She doesn't understand.

”No, not the familial kind of like. The other one...”

She tilts her head to the side. ”You mean like a love interest?”

”Yes!” I replied.

She shook her head. ”I never thought of him more than a family. He's like my younger brother since we grew up together, so I never tried looking at him as another. Why ask?”

I shook my head vigorously, ”Oh it's nothing. Like I said— just a weird question.”

”Hmm.” She looks at me suspiciously and smiled teasingly. ”Are you perhaps in love with your own brother, Aeron?”

”What—?! No! That's not why I asked. It's just that, Stray is asking to be our Meister. And he said it's a permanent sort of thing. So since you are my friend—!”

She giggled. ”If anything else, I'm more happy that you or Aeron will become his Meister. I can't watch him be used by some heartless assassins. He's been through so much already. He— oh. sorry I suppose I'm being nosy. I should stop.”

”It's okay.” I smiled at her.

”But I would love to see the day you will fall in love with Stray, Aerra! Maybe someday when you grow up as a woman!” Nora squeals. ”Just a perfect combination! A high born lady and her lethal mercenary! Sounds like a wild rogue romance don't you think?”

More like a villainess and her weapon... in a wild rogue apocalypse.

”Nora... you lost me.”

She laughs. ”If you or Aeron become his Meister. I won't worry anymore. That kid deserves a better life...”

”Not just him, Nora. You and all the abducted kids as well.”

She nods. ”That's why we need to keep our heads up and trust in him. Who knows if we do succeed now...” she pauses, looks around and then whispers ”...in escaping.”

I smiled at Nora. And looked ahead to where Stray and Aeron are.

Our only chance in escaping, huh?

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

After the breakfast we head straight to the ruins as planned.

I came with Stray this time as Nora paired up with Aeron.

”Why switch now?” I asked.

We were already inside another odd looking ruins.

”If you're going to be my Meister, we need to trust each other. The partnership is all about trust and synchronizing our minds after all.” Replied Stray as he led the way while we walked further a passage. ”Since we don't really spend time together that much...”

”But I already trust you. If I didn't, I wouldn't even let Aeron be left alone with you.”

He bursted out laughing.

”You really are twins! He said the same thing just a while ago.”

”So how would we do this sync thing?” I interrupted so to digress.

”That will come next. Tell me something about yourself first.”

”Have you tried syncing with others before?”

He looked at me coolly all of a sudden. ”That's a secret.” He says with a finger to his lips as he slowly grins as if to dispel the cold gaze he just gave me.

”Secrets is not a good way to build trust” I murmured, just looking down.

He didn't replied.

Suddenly he comes into a halt. I looked up and realized he was trying to move a boulder out of the way. The ceiling above has already collapsed and the passage looks more like an abandoned dungeon than a cave unlike the ones Nora and I went to.

”Just a question though. How long have you been exploring these ruins below the Ouboros?”