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Chapter 182 - Necessary evil

A necessary evil is still evil. And if you want to survive sometimes you have to be evil.

Necessary evil

The next morning, I headed to Mazen's mansion.

"Here," he said curtly, handing it over. His eyes were cold, as always, but there was a flicker of interest.

"Thanks," I replied, taking the bottle carefully. "Let's grab some breakfast. We need to talk."

We moved to his dining room, where a sumptuous breakfast spread awaited. Mazen had a thing for extravagance, even if he didn't show it outwardly. The table was laden with everything from freshly baked croissants to exotic fruits and perfectly brewed coffee.

We sat down, and I filled my plate with some of my favorites. Mazen opted for a simpler fare, though still well-prepared.

"I've been working on Crimson's curse," I began, picking up a piece of toast.

Mazen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And?"

"We managed to bypass it temporarily by having someone read aloud to him all night. It's not a permanent solution, but it's a start," I continued.

Mazen took a sip of his coffee, his gaze thoughtful. "Your solution was...unexpected," he said slowly, his tone measured. "Not many would have considered such a mundane approach."

I grinned, sensing the hint of approval beneath his calm exterior. "Magic isn't always the answer. Sometimes, the simplest solutions work best."

He nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips.

I took another bite of my breakfast. "I've also managed to secure some alliances," I began, watching Mazen's reaction closely.

He raised an eyebrow, setting his coffee cup down. "Oh? Do tell."

"Crimson's backing us now, which is no small thing. His influence alone is significant," I said, leaning back in my chair. "But that's not all. I've got a loose business relationship with Talambér."

Mazen nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "What's your plan with Livius?"

"I am not sure yet," I admitted.

"Securing these alliances strengthens our position. Just remember, Shay, alliances can be fickle," he added.

"Yep, I know."

After finishing breakfast with Mazen, I stepped out into the morning sunlight and pulled out my phone. Taking a deep breath, I dialed Lil's number.

The phone rang a couple of times before she answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, Lil."

"I was wondering if you might be free this morning. I could really use a ride," I said.

There was a slight pause on the other end. "I don't know, Shay. I've got a lot on my plate right now," she said, her reluctance evident.

"I understand," I said smoothly, trying to inject a bit of charm into my voice. "But there's no one I trust more with this. Your chauffeuring skills are unmatched."

Lil sighed, and I could almost hear her rolling her eyes. "You're really laying it on thick, aren't you?"

"Maybe just a little," I admitted with a chuckle. "But seriously, I could use your help. And besides, it's always nice to see you."

There was another pause, shorter this time. "Alright, alright. When do you need me?"

"Like now? I'm at Mazen's."

I said, hoping she would be available on short notice.

There was a brief silence before Lil replied, sounding slightly amused, "You know, you're quite the spontaneous guy."

"Guilty as charged," I said with a grin. "But if you're up for it, I could really use a lift."

"I suppose I could make it work," Lil said, her reluctance fading. "I'll be there in about ten minutes."

"Perfect," I said, relieved. "Thanks, Lil. I owe you one."

"See you soon."

I hung up.

I waited outside Mazen's mansion, the cool morning air brushing against my skin. The magical compass was tucked safely in my pocket, its faint fluttering a reminder of our impending journey. I glanced around, taking in the grandeur of Mazen's estate, and then looked up as a subtle shimmer of light signaled Lil's arrival.

She appeared from thin air with a soft pop, her arrival smooth and effortless.

"Hey," I greeted with a grin. "You know, Lil, I didn't realize how much I'd miss your presence until you showed up. It's like you bring a spark wherever you go."

Lil gave me a sidelong look, her lips twitching in a faint smile. "Flattery will get you everywhere, but I'm still curious if you have more than just compliments up your sleeve."

I pulled out the magical compass and held it up for her to see. The piece of paper inside was fluttering energetically, as if eager to escape the confines of the glass bottle.

"We're going to follow this," I said, giving the bottle a little shake. "It's supposed to lead us to our destination."

Lil raised an eyebrow, eyeing the compass with a mix of skepticism and interest. "So, a magical compass. How quaint. Where's it taking us?"

I shrugged. "That's the mystery of it."

As Lil's eyes glowed faintly with magic, she held out her hand. There was a brief, weightless moment, and then we were no longer on the street.

The world shifted around us, and the air grew colder. We landed softly on the ground. The once serene and peaceful atmosphere was now tainted with an unsettling stillness. The walls were lined with ancient stone, and the arches overhead seemed to groan under the weight of their history.

Lil's expression turned serious as she surveyed the surroundings. "This place feels... off."

I nodded in agreement. The floor was covered in a grim layer of dust and grime, and the air was thick with a musty odor. 

The monks, once the guardians of this place, lay scattered across the ground. Their robes were stained with blood, and the floors were slick with it. The scene was chaotic, with overturned furniture and broken artifacts adding to the sense of disorder. The remnants of an altercation were everywhere—a disturbing mix of violence and tragedy.

I took in the details with a grim expression. "This must have been quite a massacre."

Lil's gaze was sharp as she scanned the room. "It looks like they were taken by surprise. Whoever did this wanted to make a statement."

We carefully stepped around the bodies, our footsteps echoing in the otherwise silent hall. The monastery's once-pristine religious icons were now defiled and shattered. The blood on the ground formed grotesque patterns, and the air was filled with an unsettling silence that seemed to press in on us.

As we approached the altar, the full magnitude of the destruction became even more apparent. The altar was the focal point of the monastery's grandeur, now reduced to a grim reminder of the violence that had occurred. It was covered in deep stains and remnants of what must have been sacred artifacts.

The room was dimly lit, with the flickering light from broken lamps casting ghostly shadows on the walls. The air was heavy with the scent of old incense mingled with the metallic tang of blood. I glanced around, noting the ruined tapestries and broken statues that littered the floor.

I turned to Lil, who stood by the entrance, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of suspicion and concern. "Lil, I need you to wait here for a moment."

She looked at me, surprised. "What?"

I walked towards the altar, careful not to disturb the bloodstains or debris on the floor. The intricate carvings on the altar, once beautiful, were now marred by the violence that had taken place.

As I reached the altar, I paused to inspect it more closely. The carvings depicted scenes of peace and reverence, now juxtaposed with the stark reality of the present. My gaze fell on a peculiar symbol etched into the altar, partially obscured by the blood and grime. It was an ancient sigil, faint but recognizable.

I pulled out my phone, snapping a few pictures of the symbol for later analysis. Rolo will be delighted.

The altar was more than just a place of worship; it was a gateway to something hidden. As I examined the altar more closely, I noticed a section that seemed slightly out of alignment with the rest. I pressed gently, and the section gave way, revealing a hidden mechanism.

A soft grinding sound echoed through the room as the altar's surface shifted, unveiling a narrow stairway descending into darkness. The air around me felt cooler, and a hint of mustiness emanated from the hidden passage.

I glanced at Lil, who was watching me intently from the entrance. "I'm going to check this out. Stay here and keep an eye on things."

Lil nodded, her expression serious. "Be careful. I'll be right here if you need me."

With a deep breath, I stepped into the passage. The narrow stairway spiraled downward, illuminated only by the dim light filtering from above. I carefully descended, the stone steps cold beneath my feet. The air grew heavier with each step, filled with the scent of damp earth and decay.

The staircase led to a small, underground chamber. The room was sparsely decorated, with a few ancient relics scattered around and a low, flickering torch providing scant light.

Ilke knelt in the darkness on her worn carpet, having gone without light for almost sixty years. The monks had blinded her—it was the price for her abilities, she had lost her sight to see the future without the bounds other seers had. Although she heard no footsteps or any sound at all, she knew that I had arrived and that death accompanied me.

"I have been waiting for you," the old woman declared, her voice steady.

"Hello," I said. "My name is Shaytan."

"You're the first to take the trouble to introduce yourself," she replied calmly.

I shrugged, though she couldn't see it.

"Ilona, nice to meet you," she said.

It was an unusual situation. The old woman I was about to kill greeted me as if she hadn't sensed the danger at all. Her heartbeat was calm, and there was no trace of fear in her scent.

I squatted down opposite her. "I'm going to kill you."

"I know," she said simply.

"Aren't you going to try to do anything about it?" I asked.

"I've lived more than I can bear already," she replied.

"I don't need to tell you to take care of Ben," she continued. "You'll handle that on your own. Just make sure the monks never get their hands on him! That boy is a treasure."

"I know," I said with a grin. The old woman smiled too.

"Would you like a drink?" I offered, pulling out a bottle.

"I shouldn't," she said with a wry smile, "but I'll make an exception this time."

I set out the cups I had brought with me and poured some of the drink into each, handing her one shortly after.

"A friend of mine gets this for me," I said. "It's the best pálinka in the world."

We fell into silence. I downed about three cups, while the old lady slowly sipped hers. She had death lingering at the edge of her consciousness, but wanted to savor this final moment. When her cup was finally empty, she spoke again.

"My..." she began softly. "My only real regret is that I will not see you rule."

"Don't worry," I said cheerfully, though my face was somber. "The view will be better from up there."

She laughed ruefully. Then, the old oracle fell asleep. Her heartbeat grew sluggish and eventually stopped. A slight smile lingered on her lips—I imagined she must be dreaming of something pleasant, a dream that would last forever.

As I emerged from the darkness, Lil was waiting just outside the hidden chamber. Her expression was a mixture of concern and understanding. It was clear that she had sensed the death of the old woman.

She looked at me with eyes that held a rare softness. She didn't ask why I did what I did. She didn't need to.

The chamber door closed behind me with a final, echoing thud. The air between us felt thick. But Lil—Lil just stood there, steady as ever. I couldn't look at her yet. Not fully. 

"I tried to make her last moments as peaceful as possible."

Lil's gaze softened even further. "You did what you could. Sometimes, that's all we can do."

I paused, studying her expression. "I didn't expect you to be so understanding."

Lil gave a small, rueful smile. "I know people have to make a lot of difficult decisions in life. I have made similar decisions, too."

"It's a rare thing to see someone face their end with such calm dignity. It's... humbling," I sighed.

She nodded. Maybe she knew the reason why I killed the old seer. I wanted to think that I had no choice. But you always have a choice. That's what makes it sting.

"I think we've had enough of the grim for one day," I said, glancing at Lil. "How about we call it a day?"

Lil merely nodded. 

As I turned to leave, something stirred in the back of my mind. A flicker. A whisper. A word the old woman had muttered with her last breath.

Alia.

The name of a star. Or a person. Or a spell. I didn't know yet. But it clung to me like smoke.

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