Chapter 208 - Day DCIII, Part II

- It's been so hard lately, Peter. I can't sleep properly, and the work... It's just so much to be done everywhere, and on top of that, I need to have an eye on so many people. I'm so tired...

- Don't tell me Blue is scheming something?

- I would be naive if I said he is not, but I don't have any evidence. He is doing his part diligently. Donating the crystals, not gifting more people with his powers, he doesn't even vanish like he used to. I know exactly where he is, practically at any given moment.

- Then who do you need to watch?

- Erebos. Although he lost his position at the top to Maia, he still has some influence and leads a fraction of very eager Followers of Devine Tree. He is the main problem. I'm afraid he is gonna pick a fight with some other fraction, or try to cause a division in the religion. Maia is not helping. Fortunately, she seems obsessed about you more than interested in any conflicts - he smiled a little, signaling he knew more than he was putting out. - I would get a bit nervous about that, but I trust you, Peter.

- Why the hell did Aisha pick that crazy bitch? I can't understand - I did my best to pretend that I didn't know he knows.

- I had this conversation with her, and she firmly believes that's a warranty she won't betray us, and keep supporting the city alongside those whom she leads. 

- But she is nuts. That's playing with fire. 

- I said the same, but Blue then told me that it's better when you are controlling the fire compared to when the fire is out of control.

- We don't need the fire at all.

- Again, I said the same thing, but he then told me, that us needing the fire has nothing to do with it burning in our house. We either control it or allow it to burn us down.

- He is annoying.

Hatta chuckled.

- Yes. Sometimes I feel like he has an answer for everything.

- I guess I have no other choice.

- You have. I don't want to force you to do anything Peter, but I believe you can handle it, and enjoy yourself on the way - he said with a smirk.

- I knew you know. It was an accident.

- A very happy accident indeed.

- Fuck you Hatta.

- If Will was here he would probably say something along the lines of 'First three girls, and now me? You are a beast, Peter' - then he laughed.

I also did. That was actually something Will could really say.

- But speaking of the devil - said Hatta, looking straight ahead.

I followed his gaze and saw Maia leaning against the wall further ahead of us. She was clearly waiting and watching us.

- Oh shit...

- Just talk with her, find out what she really wants, and then you can decide. Just tell me if it's something we should be aware of.

- Yeah...

We walked the rest of the distance in silence and finally reached the place she was standing at.

- Good morning - she started, and pushed herself off the wall, then made a few steps towards us. - I would like to talk to you, Peter.

Hatta looked at me and gave a slight nod. I sighed.

- Sure. Whatever...

- Come with me then. I want to show you something.

I peaked at my friend, he was holding back his smile.

- Ok. Show me then.

- This way - she pointed to the side, at an alley.

- Lead the way. I'll follow.

- Very well - and she started walking.

I really didn't want to go with her. I didn't want to stare at my own shadow, because I knew that's what she is gonna show me, just like before with those women. She is gonna use my primal desires to win me over, and I already fell for this trap once, although, not completely.

This was so dangerous. I felt like I'm walking on a very thin line of turning into another Mark. For some reason, both Hatta and Aisha thought I have enough in me to not let the desires swallow me, but I was afraid I do not have it and am dancing with the devil, just to lose myself at the end.

We headed through several alleys,m closer to the city center, but not exactly. Then she showed me a relatively tall building, with a ladder leaning over it.

- We need to go up - she said and started climbing. 

I ended up following her with a bit of distance between us. From the top, we had a view of a small neighborhood of a few clearly inhabited buildings. It was nothing special.

- From this one to that one - she pointed at two houses, separated by a bunch of others. - All of them belong to us. Twenty-two buildings. Over seventy people live here. It's small right now, and unimpressive, but we managed to get this with hard work and dedication. Without the help of others. It was just us.

- Get to the point, please.

- It was only us. Can you imagine what we could achieve with your help? Please, lead us. With you, this place will change into something beautiful - her face changed, great happiness brought a big smile on her lips. - And we will serve you, as your loyal soldiers. You, the champion of Devine Tree, the chosen.

I didn't know if I should laugh, or maybe respond with anger. She clearly wasn't right with her head, that or maybe she was playing some grand scheme. I had no idea which one of those two was it, and I really didn't want to find out. But how was I supposed to get out of this? What was I supposed to say? I didn't know.

So I stood there for a solid few moments trying to desperately come up with a good response, but I had nothing. My mind was empty. Then greed started to whisper to my ears....