The Lie

The clone's body was lying in front of them.

Timur was looking at it. Disgusted.

In front of him was standing Gehenna, under a quivering veil.

"This time everything happened because of him, right?" asked him through his mask

His voice was dull and flat.

"Yes but…"

"What was his name?"

"Tithon"

"To be clear. It isn't the first time that you're using him to maintain your control over the city. So, what happened this time?"

"I've underestimated him"

"You always do that. The fact that he has the same features of your dead husband, or partner, shouldn't mean that he has to be the protagonist of this shitshow"

"Then explain to me why you pick him all the time?"

"Because…"

"Anyway…what are you going to do now?"

"I think that the Hara and Haguel should be separated"

"Interesting choice. I find those names particularly silly but I approve that. What are you going to need?"

"Nothing, we will build a system of gates around the Hara to keep them out"

"What about him?"

"We will reboot him and the others as always"

"Agreed but I want this body"

"Why? It's useless now"

"I said that I want it"

Behind her was standing Kurban, kept between two Whiskers.

He recognized that clone.

He couldn't forget about him.

"Then take it. What about our deal?" asked Gehenna

"It's still on but you're scratching the barrel's bottom"

Then he turned and went back to the Dragonfly without saying a words. Behind Tithon and his soldiers were following him.

Then he turned toward Gehenna and freeted her with a hand.

"Let's go, I want to leave this wretched city" told him to his squad.

As the Dragon started its ascension toward the sky, he and the others took off the masks and protective gears.

"Sir, what should we do with it?"

"Just look at it. This thing…"

"Should we bring him to the lab?"

He didn't answer. His eyes were looking down.

Then he noticed something.

A place he overlooked too many times.

"Get down" said him all of a sudden

"But sir, they will see us?"

"They have our tech but they don't everything about it, soldier. Activate the cloaking screens"

"Yes, sir"

As the aircraft flying height started decreasing, the Dragon disappeared in the sky.

It was like a transparent mass of glass among the clouds. The sound of its engines became muted too.

"Land here" stated Timur, while he was putting back on his gear and mask. The soldiers were doing it too.

When it touched the ground, everyone felt it. It was an abrupt and hasty landing.

The doors opened and the dumps appeared in front of them.

Some of them yelled, others cussed.

"I know. Take it all in. One long breath"

"What are we supposed to do here, sir?" asked him

"Get rid of the body" said Timur while indicating a small bore in the ground

"Right here"

The great ball of fire in the sky was starting its descent. Shades of red were blurring the horizon.

It flickered.

Again.

"Aren't you worried about the people who are fighting for you?" asked Gehenna to Tithon

"Why? I have the best fighters and our numbers are way bigger than theirs"

"I would check on them"

"Who?"

"Your general and Malsumis"

Tithon went to the desk, brushed the statuette and then, after sighing, took the transceiver.

"General, how are we handling the attack?"

Fanon didn't answer immediately.

Time passed.

"Maybe he's…"

"Don't…" cut her short

"You should consider the possibility that you're not…"

The Supreme Leader gave a harsh look to her, who felt silent.

Then the transceiver buzzed.

"Sir,….we have…the situation under control…We're going to kill them all" stated Fanon

He nodded and then shewed his complacency to Gehenna.

"Well…he isn't the only…"

"I know"

Tithon then called Malsumis.

No one replied.

A few minutes passed.

More.

More time.

"Aren't you worried now?"

The Supreme Leader wringed his eyes.

"Aren't you going to see what's going on with him?"

Silence.

"Do you care about him?"

Nothing.

"Is there anyone you care about?"

Tithon squeezed his hand in a punch.

"What about Endymion and Lilith?"

He turned his head toward her with piercing eyes.

"What about Kurban? Wasn't he your friend? What happened to him?"

He went beside her.

"What about…."

"Shut up" said him

Then he looked at her, trying to find his eyes behind his dark veil.

"You're still alive because I allow it. Remember all the lies you've told me and don't forget about the fact that you can hit the ground like your daughter at any moment"

"My death won't…"

"I'm not proving anything to you. All the people you've talked about, are just…instruments. Like you"

"Then kill…me now. Do…it"

Tithon detached from her and got back to the window.

Gehenna was shivering.

Fanon was watching his Whiskers counterattack and he was rejoicing.

The table was being turned in his favour.

"Sir, should we go back to the Academy now that the situation is under control?" asked the soldier who stood beside him all that time.

"No, we're going to the tower"

"Why, sir?"

"I think that this is just a diversion"

"Are you sure, sir?"

"I don't know but I feel like something is off"

"What about the remaining Dragonflies, should we mobilize them in case things are going to get out of hand?"

"No. It's too early. I think that here will be over after sundown"

Fanon got on the aircraft and the engines restarted. The soldier jumped on it too.

The Dragon rose and directed itself toward the Hara.

"Sir, why wouldn't you face the enemy with your man?"

Fanon wringed his eyes and tilted his head, while watching at the carnage which was ensuing on the ground.

"Because the real fight is going on somewhere else. I need to be there"

Malsumis and Gluskap were still facing each other, with their men ready to fight behind them.

"What is going to happen now, brother?" asked Malsumis

"It depends on you. I don't want bloodshed"

"What if I want it? How can you be so calm when our people wants a massacre"

"Are you sure about that?"

The Whiskers shared some glances then a murmuring started, shy but clear.

Hummingbirds and Shaxes felt unsure about the situation too.

"You lied to us" said then one of the 'Birds

"It was necessary."

"For decades we followed you because you made us a promise and now…it was all in vain"

"You had a purpose, like everyone else"

"What about Pyramus? His purpose was to die to protect your secret"

A twinge caught Gluskap's heart.

"I can't believe that you killed him" said Malsumis

"His sacrifice was…"

"Necessary?"

"His death should've resolved the alliance between Shaxes and 'Birds"

"Thens why haves yous decidded toy challenges ours kinng?" asked the Shaxes Elder.

"The 'Birds wanted revenge. If I didn't gave it to them, I would've lost my role"

"This is not true" stated Malsumis

"He changed his mind when he knew that Gehenna was being kept in captivity in the city. You wanted to free her but you didn't tell that to them, did you?"

"No, because everyone would've gotten what he wished for. The 'Birds would've returned to the city and Gehenna would've been reinstated"

"This is ludicrous" shouted one of the 'Birds.

After that he and others on Gluskap's side paced toward Malsumis.

"What are you doing?"

"What is the point of fighting for you when the city is already free of Gehenna"

"You can't do that"

More and more were moving on the Whiskers side.

Malsumis grinned.

"Sir, do you accept us in your ranks?" asked him

He nodded.

"What about you?" asked Gluskap to the Elders and the Shaxes.

They didn't move.

Just a few 'Birds were still with him.

"What about now, brother?" asked him Malsumis

The sun was falling over the horizon. Scarlet rays were blending with golden ones.

Half of it was already under the horizon.

The moon's shadow was starting to show in the clouds.

The Shaxes in the ground were waiting, outside the city. Their bodies were ready for battle. Their minds were quiet.

"Do yous knows whatt iss insidey thiss citty?" asked one of them

No one answered.

They were too focused to think about anything else.

"I thinks menn, likey they oness wey encounntered sos farr" said another

"Arey wey goinng tos diey for ours fakey kings?"

"Yess, becausey hey inherrited they crowns in duels, likey ours tradittions demmands" said one of the Elders who decided to guide them.

"Thiss wars…wey shoulds nott bey herey"

"Iff yous preffer tos livey in the graveyards forr they rests off yours lifey, you're welcomey. At leasst herey wey woulld bey abley tos havey a homey annd someoney tos sharey its with" remarked the Elder

Everybody shut up after that.

Those words were like rocks on them.

Fanon's Dragonfly perched on the landing zone under the Aokigahara's spire. He rushed out, followed by his men and threaded toward his Supreme Leader.

"What are you doing here, you're supposed to be down there, fighting with the other Whiskers?" asked Tithon

"Tithon, sir, something is off about this attack"

"What do you mean?"

"Their army is smaller than we anticipated. It seems like they're not attacking us with all their strength"

"What does it mean? I don't find it remarkable. We killed most of them during our last battle"

"It isn't about that. I think that this is just a diversion."

"A diversion?"

"I think that they're planning to attack us where we don't expect it"

"Are you talking about the lab?"

"Exactly"

Tithon looked at Gehenna.

"Didn't you tell us everything about secret tunnels and such?"

"I…yes, I did."

"Malsumis, we should tell him" said Fano while putting a foot forward.

Tithon stopped him.

"No, it's his duty. I need you here in case the situation goes south."

"Then contact him. We need to know what is going on down there"

"We already tried. He didn't answer"

"Then try again for…sake"

Tithon expired.

His heart was pounding fast in his chest. He was quiet nonetheless.

Gehenna noticed it.

He took the transceiver and pushed the button.

A buzz came out of it.

Meanwhile the sun was setting down on the horizon. The sky was darkening.

"Malsumis, status report" said Tithon

No one answered.

"That's odd"

Tithon tried again.

Nothing.

"Someone has to…"

"I know" cut him short Tithon

Tithon tilted his head.

All the people in the room were looking at him.

Then he turned his head and gazed at Gehenna.

"Are you sure, sir?"

"They're here for her too, right?"

"Yes, sir"

"Then she should go with your men"

"But…" started Gehenna

"This situation exists due to your inability to tell the truth"

"But…"

"Bring her underground. She must return here alive. I don't want her to be killed by any Hummingbird scum" ordered him

The Whiskers took her and cleared the room, while Fanon looked them away.

"What about me?" asked Fanon

Tithon didn't consider his question.

The sun was almost under the horizon. Its rays were still in the sky, red and purple.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" asked the Supreme Leader to his subordinate.

The sky glitched.

Fanon looked at him.

Tithon shook his head.