Book Three Chapter Ninety: Adored_Curses

Book Three Chapter Ninety: Adored_Curses

Qube had spent her entire life being taught how to be graciously ignored. Entire training sessions had been dedicated to making sure that she never overstepped her bounds as a Companion, and always remembered her place. Which, to be clear, was a few steps behind the Chosen One and smiling supportively. Maybe, if he was being particularly annoying, even smiling understandingly.

Those lessons had been so well taught that it had taken her entering the first Temple to even realise she was invisible.

She understood the point of those lessons. Not everyone could be the most important person, and if someone had to be nominated to be number one, the best candidate was assuredly the individual designated to save the kingdom. And, while shed dwelt in the village, and taken her first shaky steps beyond, it had helped her help guide the chaotic Hero onto the correct path.

But she wasnt that Qube anymore. Shed learned her own lessons, and grown, and become someone who knew both when to stand back and let the Chosen One lead, and when it was time for her to take the reins.

And there were few situations where she was more qualified to take charge than when dealing with her own undead counterpart.

Because, despite what the others were saying, the white-haired and tortured looking woman whod just cast a massive curse on the Saviour of all Human and Human-Adjacent Beings wasnt Evil.

She was hurting.

In this, too, Qube had learned. Good and Evil, chaos and order, they were none of them as clear-cut as shed once believed. So although this woman was quite clearly attempting to inflict harm, something Qube had firmly placed in the Evil category, that didnt mean the whole person was Evil.

Even the Evil Emperor, who had Evil in his title, had turned out to not be intrinsically Evil. In a lot of pain, and doing a lot of damage, he'd just decided to kneel on the floor in despair rather than fix anything, but, when given the chance, hed done the right thing.

After attempting to murder her friends, true, but he was a work in progress. They would find a way to separate him from his Evil instincts, and teach him how to repair the damage hed done. Hopefully without having to wipe large sections of his mind, like with the pharaoh.

If the party hadnt protested her decision to let the Evil Emperor live, why, then, were they overriding her in the treatment of the other Qube, who hadnt even killed anyone (as far as they knew)?

[Shield Bash]! The Chosen One, with his newly-recovered shield, charged at the undead Qube, who was still staggered from the effects of casting her spell. A large, black staff appeared in her hands, which she used to block the Heros Sacred Sword. A move that Qube had never even considered.

You seek to cut me down! she cried, her white eyes glowing. Ashamed of your failure?

Perhaps we should try [The Bards Ballad]? Sencha Bard asked, as his fingers flew over his lutes strings, causing everyone to speed up as [Haste] kicked in. His green mana was everywhere, wrapping around the party members, pushing them ever onwards. Surely that would open her eyes to reality?

Certainly it would be less dangerous than directly attempting a [Heal], Definitely Bad Guy said. Despite the battle music screaming away, neither Sexy Screamy Spider Briar nor he had made any offensive manoeuvres. Squiggles, too, seemed curiously disinclined to engage with the enemy wearing the head of their Healer.

Their reluctance gave Qube hope that she could talk them into standing down, and letting her try. She just had to get everyone to calm down.

Stop attacking me! she shouted to the Chosen One. I dont need harm, I need help!

[Companions Curse], her counterpart cast directly in the Heros face.

Qube also cursed, albeit internally.

[Lesser Shield]! she counter-cast, only to watch her shield be obliterated by her undead versions spell.

There was nothing like realising that not only was her inner self capable of casting the curses that shed long wished for herself, but she was also better at spells than Qube.

Youre not helping! she yelled at her other self over the battlefield.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

I wont let him take you from me! Undead Qube screamed, nearly wild with passion. Seeing her own face distorted with rage and grief made Qube feel like a monster.

Hes not going to take me from you! she called back.

Keep her away from her, the Chosen One ordered Sexy Screamy Spider Briar. He dodged a swing from the staff not-Evil-just-misunderstood-Qube was wielding, before sparing a glance at Healer-Qube.

She couldnt keep calling her inner self her counterpart or undead Qube. It seemed disrespectful, somehow.

Her own face stared back at her, her expression going curiously slack as she thought about what her name was. As she pondered, strange whispers wormed their way into Qubes ears. Some of them sounded like the Evil Emperor talking, while others were too quiet to hear just moments of noise, barely heard.

The Evil Emperor called me Once Adored, the woman said eventually.

Really, dude? Really? The Chosen One swung around and glared at the Evil Emperor. For a man clad from head to toe in intimidating black armour, the recently deposed tyrant managed to look incredibly embarrassed.

From the Golden Prophecy, Sencha Bard explained to the Hero.

Yeah, I got it, I still just, really? First you put her in an armoured bikini, now youre running around calling her Once Adored? What, you sniff her hair while you were at it? The Hero gained a look of disgust. [By the Words], you probably did, given you were carrying a lock of it around with you before. Dude. Not cool. Mega creepy.

Chosen One, please stop yelling at the Evil Emperor for being creepy, Qube requested. Im sure he feels bad enough about the Evil things the Devs made him do without you pointing it out.

Definitely Bad Guy was looking at Once Adored with wide eyes.

I was right, he said, shocked. Not entirely, of course, but the core supposition was not as outrageous as I believed.

Qube didn't immediately parse what the Mage meant by that but Sexy Screamy Spider Briar, who was occasionally surprisingly in tune with the former advisor, reared up onto her back legs and pointed all her weapons at the still-kneeling emperor.

You dared force a dead version of our innocent little Healer into being your concubine? she said, hissing every word so hard that green venom flew from her mouth.

Sencha Bard put away his lute and drew his rapier with deadly intent.

This man shall pay for his crimes with blood, he declared.

Qube had somehow managed to get everyone to stop attacking her undead self, only to turn them all against the man shed spared but half an hour earlier.

Youre not allowed to kill the Evil Emperor either! she declared. Its my village he killed, and my body he concubined, so any vengeance belongs to either Once Adored or me! She wasnt sure if concubined was a word, but she was going to use it anyway.

That weakling? Once Adored said, her upper lip curling scornfully in a move Qube could never have mastered. No, I am no concubine of his. I have only two goals: to slay the one who failed me, and protect the Dreamer who saved me.

Im gonna go out on a limb here and guess that Im the one who failed her, the Chosen One quietly informed Qube.

But how am I the Dreamer? Qube asked Once Adored. I dont remember saving you.

You came to me in dreams, Once Adored said and, now shed been talking for longer, Qube could hear the subtle differences in their voices. Once Adoreds voice was raspier, as if something was stuck in her throat. When I was nothing but vengeance, I felt you call out to me. Her eyes searched Qubes, and once again Qube was struck by how empty the other womans eyes were.

When youre hurt, I will protect you. I will give you my sadness, and my rage, so you may keep your joy. I will shield you from the world, and slaughter any who cause your light to dim. Once Adored took a step closer to Qube, the pallid colour of her skin making the crude stitches across her neck stand out even more.

As I waited in this darkness of death and pain, you guided me out. And now I will follow your light forever. I will surround it, and hold it within me.

It was certainly one of the heaviest acknowledgements of Qubes role as a guiding light that shed ever received, but it wasnt in Qubes nature to reject someone seeking help.

The rest of the party was completely silent as Qube took another step forward. Once Adored reached out a hand: in friendship, and in supplication.

Wait the Chosen One whispered, but she didnt hear him.

Qube closed the distance, and took her counterparts hand.