“...the what?”

  “I’m not surprised no one mentioned it to you, Shogai, but don’t tell me you’re surprised to learn that these monsters have a ruler.”

  Now that Wright had mentioned it, it had crossed Shogai’s mind several times. Sekara was strong. Vera supposedly stronger. He supposed that the reason he didn’t accept that they were mere subjects of a higher power was because of how scary a thought that was.

  “Anyway, we don’t know much about Muryoko. Not even close to enough. But this is a power we know he has. Mind control.”

  Wright was looking at Jade as he said that, and Shogai instinctively stepped forward, casually putting himself between them. What was Wright implying?

  “Oh. Nonono that’s not what I meant.” Wright put his hands in the air to defend himself.

  “We’ll get to that.” said Nemean, who had been quiet.

  “Ciela was chasing Sekara a couple of weeks ago. Shogai, I think you’re familiar.”

  Shogai’s eyes widened. He started to see where this was going. Nemean continued.

  “She called for backup as she went underground. That was Wright. The two of them went under, chasing her deep into Aberrant territory. They were not expecting to run into the King himself.”

  “Yeah.” Wright was looking at Ciela with guilt. She didn’t seem to be hearing a word of this. “Muryoko, I know you’re listening. Those aren’t your ears. Release her!” He hit the glass with his fist, making a far louder sound than skin should make against glass, but Ciela didn’t flinch. If anything, a smile crept onto her face.

  “Well, if you won’t talk, I will.” Wright frowned. “This monster beat me and Ciela in a fight. I barely got us both out of there alive. And I couldn’t save Ciela’s mind. She’s been like this since then. The only good news is that you, Muryoko, are too stupid to figure out a power as complex as Ciela’s.”

  Ciela’s face went blank. She pointed to something behind them. Shogai turned to see that she was gesturing towards the dusty book. “That’s her book.” Ciela said. Her voice was deep and distant. “She can’t use magic without it. I did see her teleport the book to herself, but… you’re right, Wright. Can’t figure that out. Not that it matters. Who are these three? They won’t show their faces. Why not tell them what’ll happen to Ciela if I don’t get that book?”

  Shogai looked up at Wright, whose face was grim. Seeing such an innocent looking girl speak with such an evil tone… it was unsettling. And was that really the Deviant King speaking through her? The strongest Deviant? The cause of all this? What did he want? What was he going to do?

  “Wright.” Kiara asked, “How often has this happened?”

  Wright couldn’t answer, but Ciela very much could.

  “Oh, many, many times. I’ve lost count.”

  “And what happens to them?”

  Ciela raised a finger, one with a torn nail, and pointed at her eyes. “What happens when Elano’s Heart is activated for too long?”

  A chill went down Shogai’s spine. “They lose their minds.”

  “Good! This girl has a tough mind, and I’m forcefully activating it remotely, which slows down the process. But it’s been 2 weeks. Can’t be much longer before she cracks. If you give me the book, I’ll spare her mind.”

  “Yeah, but not her body.” Wright’s voice was getting dangerously low. “If you get that book, you’ll use her to destroy everything.”

  Ciela shrugged.

  “Don’t worry. After I kill you all, I’ll free her. She’ll get to live in a world where she’s destroyed everyone she loves. From there, she can do what she wants.”

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  Ciela laughed. She cackled. She sounded like the witch she dressed as.

  “So what will it be? Let her live in a lonely world, or let her go insane and die?”

  “We choose option C. Free her.” Wright put a hand on Jade’s shoulder. Ciela looked confused.

  “You can’t free her. You’ve all tried a thousand times over the past hundred years.”

  “Then I think we’re owed a victory, Muryoko.”

  Now Shogai realised why Wright was looking at Jade. If anyone could fight a telepath, it was a telepath of their own. Wright kneeled down in front of Jade.

  “Please do your best. I understand that this is a shot in the dark. If you fail, I promise it’s okay. As long as you’ve tried.”

  Jade nodded. “I understand. I owe my life to Ciela as much as Shogai does. I will free her.”

  Jade walked over to the glass and stared at Ciela, who looked back just as fiercely. Jade closed her eyes, and Ciela mirrored her. Everything went quiet. Both of their eyes were moving around under their eyelids. Shogai felt frustrated that he couldn’t do anything to help. Kiara, Nemean and Wright were waiting as well.

  “Was this your idea?” Shogai asked Nemean, who nodded.

  “The odds aren’t as bad as you think, Shogai. Muryoko may be leagues more powerful than Jade, but you heard him yourself. He’s at every disadvantage possible. He barely has a hold of Ciela’s mind already. I think, if Ciela can fight along with Jade, they can push him away. Just keep your fingers crossed and wait.”

  Waiting wasn’t Shogai’s strong suit. Especially when his friend was in a battle he couldn’t participate in. What would happen if Jade failed? Would Muryoko take her mind too?

  “Jade… stop-”

  “Shut up, Shogai.” Jade snapped back. Shogai shut up.

  It was another minute before anything happened. All of a sudden, Ciela opened her eyes and gasped. They were still red, but flickering.

  “That’s it!” She yelled. “You’re going to regret thi-!

  The glow vanished, revealing Ciela’s blue eyes, which rolled up into her head as she fell forward. Wright immediately punched the glass, shattering it completely, and caught her.

  “Kiara! Get her to medical!”

  Kiara nodded without hesitation, and vanished with Ciela. Wright ran after them. Slower, but still fast. That left Nemean, Jade and Shogai. Jade’s eyes were still closed. Shogai walked around to the front of her, and grabbed her shoulders

  “Jade…?” Shogai was terrified of what he’d see when she opened her eyes. “Jade, wake up.”

  Jade opened her eyes, and they were normal; her natural green. Shogai let out a sigh of relief, and Jade smiled with effort.

  “Tired…”

  Shogai helped Jade to her feet and let her lean on him. Nemean had a smile, which he quickly hid. He spoke firmly, but couldn’t hide his gratitude.

  “You can take the masks off now. Good job, Jade. You’ve done what no one before you ever has. But be careful now. I don’t think Muryoko was bluffing. If he finds out who you are, he will kill you. Without hesitation.”

  “Is that why we hid our faces?”

  “More or less. We have to hide as many cards from him as possible. Go to sleep now, you get tomorrow off.”

  “Why me? I didn’t do anything, it was all Jade.”

  “She’ll be lonely without you. This is a favour for her. Let Kiara know.”

  “Will do. Thank you, Nemean.”

  Shogai waited for Jade to react, but she was already asleep against his shoulder. Shogai lifted her up and carried her back out.

  The ground floor was busier than Shogai had ever seen before. Ciela was hooked up to a dozen machines and an instant brain scan was being performed. Shogai shuddered. He’d used Elano’s Heart for moments and had a headache from it. Ciela had been using it for so long on end. Muryoko forced her to. Would she be alright?

  Three people were bustling around the machinery. Kiara and Wright, of course. But a third person had her hands on Ciela’s unconscious forehead. Shogai recognised those green eyes.

  “Nifa.”

  Nifa looked up and smiled. “Shogai! Good to meet you! Please hurry along now, this isn’t a show.”

  She was speaking in a friendly tone, but her eyes were still cold. She still disliked him.

  “Oh, and Kiara, dear. Thank you for your help, but we’ve got it from here. You’ve been a great assistant.”

  Kiara wiped her forehead and nodded. She seemed panicked, but Nifa’s reassurance calmed her down. She was a lot like her sister in that way.

  “Let’s go,” Kiara said to them. “Long day.”

  “Kiara, could you take Jade please? I need to sort something out.”

  Kiara looked back at Nifa. “You heard her. Now isn’t the time.”

  “Please?”

  “...”

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