Chapter 119: Sanctum XLIV

Chapter 119: Sanctum XLIV

Wed spent the better part of an hour frantically searching the area. My chest hurt, my accumulated wounds going untreated as Maya helped us search. There was no trace of a return portal, visible or otherwise. Though he was the last person I wanted to talk to, I eventually summoned Vogrin for confirmation.

The way Vogrin went about the work was a stark contrast from his usual behavior. In the time that Id known him, the demon was unflinchingly grotesque. Staring, probing uncomfortable weakness, and a propensity to gloat. Had he acted that way, I probably couldnt have stopped myself from doing something drastic.

But Vogrin didnt say a word, gloating or otherwise. Instead, he seemed withdrawn. Almost in shock.

He reported back to me in a quiet tone. There was a divine portal here. Likely Infaris, though to tell the truth, I do not have the capability of telling divine energy apart. The only magical signatures in the area apart from my ownor traces of magiccomes from the three of you.

Grief rolled over me in a slow wave. I tried to keep my voice steady. So its definitive. Bell didnt make it through.

Vogrin sighed. With certainty. Even if shed maintained a void-state and departed, and I cannot imagine why that would be the case, there would have been some trace of her.

I put a hand to my forehead. There was a litany of things I wanted to say to Vogrin, but none of them were helpful, none of them productive. I waved him away, trying desperately to cling to the small modicum of rationality I had left. I need to think.

Master.

The hatred Id been trying so desperately to hold back flared in my gut. I fixed Vogrin with a level stare, and asked, my voice as smooth and transparent as glass. Can it wait?

Vogrin seemed to grow smaller. It must be said.

Then do so and be done with it, I snapped.

Ozra has retreated. He is still on this plane, though I suspect he has retreated to gather forces to retaliate.

Is that all? I asked. It sounded like someone else speaking.

You spoke of how powerful she was. I took your evaluation as hyperbole. Vogrin deflated further. Despite the power of her scent, I assumed she was only human. And, historically, even the strongest human is fodder compared to an arch-fiend.

I stared at him.

Vogrin continued. I am in an unenviable position. My loyalty to the Arch-Fiend supersedes my contractual obligations. I saw what I perceived to be an opportunity to seize a desirable boon to my legion and acted on it.

Yes. You did.

His next words surprised me. I was wrong. Had I listened, truly listened, I might have realized that my competing interests were not actually in conflict. Forcing the conflict helped neither you, nor Ozra.

And if your apology was worth even a fraction of my friends life, perhaps I would care to listen to what you have to say. But it isnt, and I dont.

I would not blame you if you decided to relinquish the contract.

I nearly did. It would have been easy. To strip him of his contract and use demon-fire to banish him below. The anger had built to a degree that was almost unsustainable. It was something the old me would have done.

But no. I grabbed his tattered lapels and pulled him closer. Youd love that, wouldnt you. The chance to run away, to not be held responsible for the things youve done. Ozra hated you so much he allowed you to be bound to me at no cost, like a lesser imp.

You paid dearly.

Maybe, I countered, But not without trial and error. Not without things going wrong at least once and sending me back here, to this nigh unwinnable scenario, and againI lose one of you. I pointed to the ground behind her. The very spot Id watched her die, over and over again, overtaken by a poison I couldnt heal.

Maya grabbed me by the shoulders, her eyes opening in sudden realization. You keep saying one of us, as if it could be anyone. But like you said, I saw it for myself. Yes, sometimes it was Jorra, or Bell, or all three of us. But it was almost always me.

What of it? When I tried to brush her off me, her grip only tightened.

You cannot trade anothers life for mine, Cairn. Mayas voice was hard. And this is bigger than any single person. Isnt that exactly what got you into trouble the first time? Throwing everything else away for one person? Her words stung worse than any fire, burned deeper than any sword.

Just My voice broke. Just give me time. Please. Let me think. Bell might still be alive.

Thoth will never forgive you for what just happened.

I shook my head. She was never going to let it go anyway. Please. You think as long as shes been doing this, she was going to just let me live? After all this time? All that was on the table was a temporary respite. There was never going to be peace.

Is it not worth a try? If it buys you time? Maya released me, her sympathy turning to something closer to horror.

Not if it kills you.

Maya was right. I knew it and so did she. But the current circumstances might present an opportunity. Thoth was beyond angry, unbalanced. If I could find a way to leverage her rage, it might present another opportunity. But what?

Maya sobbed. I cannot be the reason other people die, simply because you love me.

Sweat poured down my brow as I desperately thought, and planned, and tried to look at the current circumstances from every angle. Talking to Thoth was out. If I got close, I had little doubt shed simply murder me on the spot. Was there anyone else who could help? Any other way to defuse this?

The solution is simple enough. Kill him. Bring his head to the heart. Until then, you will be trapped.

A seed of an idea began to sprout into something bigger, something more substantial. But I would need everyone. And I couldnt tell them why.

Youre right, I said finally. Maya stepped back in surprise.

So, what does that mean for us? For this.

The girl who died she asked me to not save her. The way she said it makes me think I wouldnt be able to. And then implied she wouldnt be able to save me again, despite likely knowing what I can do.

The magic Thoth cast on her dagger, Maya realized.

That spell, Ive seen it before. That girl, Im not sure what she is, but I think shes like Thoth and me, an outsider. And she shielded me from it for a reason. Maybe shes wrong, but if she isn't, I need to make the most of this first. I spoke again before Maya could. And if Bell is gone, we owe it to her to try everything we can to make the most of the time she gave us. Thats what youre asking me to do, isnt it? Not to prioritize others over you? That works both ways, Maya. Just because youve decided to stay in the Sanctum and not follow me doesnt make you less of a person. You dont get to be a martyr.

Maya bit her lip. You really have a plan?

Yes. It wasnt much of one yet. Id need to flesh it out, smooth out any holes. But it was there, and what was there was solid.

Maya embraced me. Ill trust you. Its just hard.

After a moments hesitation, I held her back. As much as I wanted to reassure her, to tell her everything would be okay, I knew it would be a lie.

If what I had in mind worked, it would solve the problem of the Sanctum being held hostage with minimal bloodshed. But that didnt change the fact that Maya would hate me for it. They all would.