Twin Strategies

Trouble has a habit of coming full circle.

Twin Strategies

Ronel Reisz, seventy-three years old, winner of the Rosenstein Award, and a retired mage hunter respected by all members of the hunting clans, was buying the food he needed for the weekend at a small store on a street corner.

He happened to be torn between bagged and bottled milk. The bagged milk was cheaper, close to the average price of a liter of this white liquid in supermarkets. In any case, Ronel was not a fan of bagged milk, as he had already had one prematurely punctured. The quality of the bottled milk was probably not better than the bagged milk, though. Finally, he threw the bottled one in his basket. Safety first. He nodded to confirm that. Yes, safety first.

He then moved towards the cash register and quickly paid for what he had picked from the shelves. He left the friendly little shop behind him and headed for home. His house was only three blocks from the store.

No one around here knew him. No one stared at him on the street, no one greeted him, no one wanted to shake his hand or ask for an autograph for their little boy. The neighborhood was populated by ordinary humans who knew nothing of Ronel's old profession.

At first, when he moved there, the old man was terribly disturbed, missing the constant hype, the respect and admiration in people's eyes — though, after all, that was twenty years ago. Since then, he had gotten used to this dull, grey life with ordinary days, ordinary people, and ordinary problems.

Ronel never really spoke to anyone and was scrupulously careful to leave the privacy of his house only when he absolutely had to. His neighbors regarded him as a ghost, and referred to him as such among themselves, none of whom had ever seen who lived in the apartment at 63 Parlovi Street.

Sometimes they talked about him, many of them were curious and sometimes they even dared to knock on the door of the old man's house. The man never opened it. Why should he? He never expected visitors.

He always drew the blackout curtains in front of the window to prevent prying eyes from finding him. And what was he doing in there by himself? Well, the answer to that is simple: he was researching. He never gave up trying to reclaim something.

He put the key in the lock and turned it. The door gave a soft click to indicate that it was open. Quietly, he entered, locked it behind him, and pulled the three bolts he had fitted for security. Safety first.

He slipped off his shoes, slipped into his brown slippers, and shuffled into the kitchen.

The bag fell from his hand, his eyes widened, and he froze in surprise. He had to remind himself to take a breath, resulting in his mouth hanging slightly agape. In his house, three strangers were drinking tea in the utmost tranquillity. He could smell the pleasant aroma of his favorite tea leaves, ordered from England, in the air, and the strangers were holding three of his expensive cups.

I acknowledged the surprised old man for a moment and then gulped the rest of the tea. I dropped the cup in the sink and turned to the owner with a dangerous half-smile on my lips. Rolo, sitting calmly at the table, did not acknowledge him and Alex merely nodded in his direction.

"Hello," I grinned.

The old man's face then twisted into a grimace of disgust.

"Who are you?" he said through gritted teeth, "And what are you doing in my house?"

"Rather rude," I said, disapprovingly, "You don't often receive guests, do you?"

The old man's teeth gritted softly at the insolence.

"Sit down," I poked my head towards the last chair.

The man showed no inclination to budge, merely repeating his previous questions, but in a more inappropriate tone if possible.

"My name is Shaytan," I answered him, "and I believe you have something I need."

There was a gleam of recognition in the old man's eyes. "The mixed-blood."

"Indeed," I nodded. "You're quite well informed for a retired hunter."

"What do you want from me?" he snapped.

"The pretty little trinket you stole from Amand," I said, and he paused as if he had turned into stone.

"How did you..."

"That doesn't matter," I interrupted, "I want the earring. Now."

The old man was silent for a moment, then he looked up at me again with a fierce look. "They stole it from me."

"Who was it?"

"I don't know for sure, it was night, it was dark and I was knocked out. I didn't see it," he said.

"Oh, come on..."

"I'm telling the truth!" he snapped again.

Alex nodded.

"I know," I shrugged, "But don't tell me you don't have any suspicions. What are you hiding?"

The old man was vehemently silent, and he didn't seem to be willing to give me any more information.

"I don't know if you're aware of it, but I'm not a hunter anymore. I'm no longer subject to their rules, so I'm not afraid to force a retired old man to answer," I said, looking at my claws, "You are going to tell me what I want to know anyway," I looked him in the eye, "So?"

Ronel hesitated, then sighed. "Part of the earring broke during the theft. I still have that piece. The rest... I don't really know of."

I held out my palm to him. The old man pondered, then probably decided his life was worth more than finding the earring because Ronel opened a kitchen cupboard, which was actually a hidden safe.

Indeed, we were waiting in the kitchen for a reason. After the magicians had neutralized the magical defenses around the house, they located the only magically protected place inside the house: the kitchen and a cupboard inside.

Livius thought for a while when I told him to break into the safe but he said it would take him at least half a day of spellcasting if he didn't want to blow up half the neighborhood. That's when we decided to wait until Ronel got back and have him hand it over himself.

Ronel hesitantly dropped the tiny golden snake head into my hand.

I exchanged a glance with Rolo. "Well, have a nice day and I suppose you shouldn't say a word about this conversation to anyone."

Ronel remained silent, eyes narrowed as he watched us leave.

Outside, the mages undid a couple of spells they had cast to help us enter. Gilbert nodded to me. "All clear."

"Good," I replied. "We have what we came for. Let's move."

(...)

In the dimly lit living room of my house, we gathered around Livius, who stood at the center of a large wooden table. On the table lay a tiny golden snakehead, a fragment of the coveted earrings. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation as he prepared to uncover crucial information about the earring's whereabouts.

Livius took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Everyone, stay quiet. This spell requires absolute focus."

The others nodded, stepping back to give him space. Rolo watched with keen interest, eager to see the powerful sorcerer at work.

Livius began to chant softly in an ancient language, his hands hovering above the golden snakehead. As he spoke, a faint glow emanated from his fingertips, spreading over the fragment. The air around them grew thicker with magical energy, and a slight hum resonated in the room.

The golden snakehead started to shimmer, and a translucent, ethereal light projected from it, forming shapes and images in the air. Livius continued his incantation, his voice steady and controlled.

In the glowing light, a scene began to unfold. A shadowy figure, clearly recognizable as Balabán, carefully placed the earrings into a small, ornate box. He looked around cautiously, then quickly hid the box inside a hidden compartment in his office.

Livius's voice grew louder, and the images shifted, now showing Balabán meeting with another man. The man was tiny but still imposing, with a stern face. It was Belziár. They exchanged brief words, and Balabán handed over a piece of parchment.

The vision shifted again, showing Balabán's office once more. He retrieved the box with the earrings and prepared to leave, his demeanor nervous and hurried.

The glow around the snakehead intensified, and Livius's chant reached its peak. The final image showed Balabán sneaking through dark alleyways, clutching the box tightly, heading towards a meeting point. The last glimpse was of a hidden warehouse, heavily guarded and concealed in the industrial district.

The light faded, and Livius lowered his hands, breathing heavily. The room fell silent as everyone processed what they had just seen.

"It seems that Balabán stole the earring," Livius said, his voice slightly strained from the exertion. "And he wants to sell it to Belziár. We need to intercept it before it gets into his hands."

Iris, still wide-eyed from witnessing the powerful spell, finally spoke. "So, we need to get to that warehouse and intercept the earring before Belziár gets his hands on it. Sounds like a solid plan."

Donna added, "We'll need a strategy to deal with the guards and any other obstacles. Balabán won't give up the earring easily."

Gilbert cracked his knuckles, a determined look in his eyes. "Leave the distractions to me. I can create enough chaos to keep them busy while we retrieve the earring."

"No," I said. "We need a quiet operation. We infiltrate quietly and try to avoid direct confrontation."

"I agree," nodded Livius. "Donna, Gil, you with Shay and Alex to retrieve the earring."

"My lord?" asked Donna a bit unsure.

"In the meantime, I will go to Belizár's auction with Rolo and Iris," Livius added. "If you fail to retrieve the earring, I will buy it from Belizár."

I was silent for a moment.

"Why take Rolo?" I asked hiding the suspicion from my voice. "He possesses a rare talent for slipping past defenses and acquiring valuable items so I could use his assistance."

Livius smiled. "It would be an invaluable experience for him. Could you bring him to an artifact auction in the future?"

I looked at Rolo. He tried his best to hide his interest in the auction and pretend he was completely uninterested. He looked at me and with his eyes told me that whatever I decided, he would act accordingly. That surprised me a little. I don't know what happened or when I earned this trust from him.

"The mission is crucial but do not forget that it is also important for your men to develop and learn," he added.

I knew that this offer was as much about Livius getting to know Rolo as it was about Rolo learning from him. Anyway, I also knew that Rolo was no easy opponent. 

"Okay," I nodded.

Good luck, Livius. You don't know what you're getting yourself into.

I glanced at each member of my group. "Alright, let's gear up and head out. We don't have much time."

I went to my room to quickly retrieve my weapons. The familiar weight of my gear always grounded me before a mission. As I fastened the last strap on my boots, I heard a soft knock at the door.

"Come in," I called.

Alex entered, closing the door behind him. His expression was serious, a rare sight. "Shay, are you sure about sending Rolo with the Sorcerer Lord? I don't trust that mage."

I appreciated that even though he had doubts he waited until we were alone to voice them. 

I smiled faintly. "Livius is the one who needs to be cautious not the other way around."

Alex chuckled, some of the tension leaving his face. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Rolo does have a knack for surprising people. Just want to make sure he's safe."

"He will be, Livius isn't an enemy. He's a potential ally." I reached for my favourite blade, testing its balance. "But I'll still take precautions."

Alex nodded, his eyes relieved. "Alright, I'll go get my own gear. See you in a few minutes."

Once Alex left, I turned my attention to the corner of the room, where the air seemed to shimmer faintly. "Simon," I called softly.

The ghostly figure of Simon materialized, his translucent form barely visible in the dim light. "Yes?"

"I need you to follow Rolo. Stay close to him and make sure he avoids any danger. Just in case."

Simon bowed slightly.

With Simon's form dissipating into the ether, I felt a little more at ease. I strapped other blades and stepped out of my room. Alex stood in the hallway with a confident smile, his own weapons at the ready.

Livius looked at Rolo. "Ready?"

Rolo nodded, he looked at me before leaving. Maybe to reassure me or he needed reassurance himself, I don't know. placing a hand on Livius's arm and grabbing the material.

The next moment they disappeared

(...)

We stood outside Balabán's warehouse, a nondescript building tucked away in the industrial district. The moon cast long shadows, making the night seem even more foreboding.

"Remember," I instructed, "we're here for the earring. Get in, get out. Keep it quiet if possible."

Donna and Gilbert did not react to my command but Alex nodded, ready for action.

Gilbert pulled out a strange, intricate device from his satchel. "This will help us get past the spells guarding the place," he explained, his fingers deftly adjusting the device's settings.

The device began to emit a low hum and an array of magical symbols lit up on its surface. Gilbert approached the warehouse's entrance, holding the device out in front of him. The protective spells around the building shimmered and flickered, then slowly began to dissolve forming a small whole only big enough for one person to enter at a time.

Impressive, I thought, but I wouldn't expect anything less from the subjects of the Sorcerer Lord.

We moved swiftly, slipping through the now unguarded entrance. The interior of the warehouse was dimly lit, filled with rows of crates and barrels. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and dust.

"Stay close," I whispered to Alex.

As we navigated through the maze of crates, our senses were on high alert. Gilbert paused to examine a couple of strange artifacts. He pocketed some without saying a word. Another was a small, intricate box that caught his eye.

"Strange designs on this one," Gilbert noted, wanting to cast an incantation to examine the box.

As he opened his mouth, the box cracked open and a haunting melody filled the air.

I felt a sudden drowsiness wash over me, and before I knew it, I was in a deep trance. Alex, Donna and Gilbert were affected too, their eyes glazing over as they succumbed to the box's power.

In the trance, I heard a girl's call and soft giggling. The sound was so familiar, it tugged at my heart, reminding me painfully of Jo. My heart ached as memories of her flooded my mind, her laughter echoing in the recesses of my mind. I struggled to fight the enchantment, but it was too strong.

Donna, with a sheer force of will, managed to close the box, breaking the spell. We shook our heads, trying to clear the fog from our minds.

"What was that?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"I have no idea," Gilbert replied, still looking dazed. "But we need to move. That melody must have alerted the mages."

Suddenly, Balabán's men burst into view. Great.

Gilbert was the first to react. He stretched out his hands, and with a quick contraction and expansion of atoms, he created small explosions everywhere, disorienting the other mages. That was the moment I understood why the monster in me paid careful attention to him from the first moment on.

"Alex, use the ring!" I told him quietly. "Keep searching!"

Alex turned the ring on his finger, disappearing swiftly. I led my eyes back to the battle.

Donna fought using her shield as a weapon. Every blow she landed echoed with a metallic ring, and her movements were swift and calculated. To be honest, a small mage like her being a close combatant surprised me no less than the unique use of her shield. It should have looked brutal as she was hitting the mages on the head with her shield or even threw it to cut off a mage's arm or leg but it wasn't.

I moved through the fray, my speed and agility allowing me to avoid most attacks. Sometimes, I saw the confusion on the faces of mages as I was disappearing and reappearing before them.

A mage aimed a fireball at me, and I darted to the side, feeling the heat singe my skin. I retaliated by sweeping his legs out from under him and landing a solid punch to his jaw. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Another mage attempted to cast a binding spell, ropes of energy snaking towards me. I twisted and turned, evading the spell and closing the distance between us. My claws slashed through his robes, and he fell back, clutching his chest.

I took a few hits, but my self-healing ability quickly closed my wounds. As the enemy realized this, their faces contorted into a mess of fear and confusion. I smiled like a beast ready to pounce on its prey.

Donna's shield rang with a metallic sound whenever it deflected attacks. I briefly wondered about the oddity but dismissed it and knocked out another unfortunate mage.

Suddenly, four mages converged on Donna, their movements synchronized as if they had trained for this very moment. They struck from different directions, overwhelming her defenses. The first mage lunged from the left, his staff crackling with electricity. Donna's shield absorbed the impact without difficulty.

The second mage attacked from behind, casting a spell that sent tendrils of shadow some trying to wrap around her legs and some getting sparp trying to stab her. Donna's second shield materialized behind her swinging wildly to keep the tendrils at bay.

The third enemy, directly in front of her, hurled a fireball that Donna barely managed to block with a third shield, the flames licking the edges of her shield. The last mage came at her from the right, a blade of dark energy slicing through the air. Donna twisted to deflect it, but the edge of the blade nicked her arm, drawing blood. She hissed in pain but didn't falter. I think three shields were her limit as she did not conjure up another one and dodged instead.

When Donna was clearly overwhelmed. I could see Donna's exhaustion, the relentless assault pushing her to her limits. Her shield rang with each deflected blow, the metallic sound echoing in the warehouse. Despite her efforts, the mages' coordinated attack was too much. One of them found an opening and slashed at her side with a dark dagger. Donna gasped, blood staining her shirt as she fought to avoid further injuries.

I rushed to her aid. My claws sharpened, and I tore into the mage closest to her, sending him sprawling to the ground. Donna's eyes widened, then she opened her mouth as if to scream something.

"Shield," I ordered.

A shield materialized behind me, absorbing the electricity that brightened the whole world for an infinite second.

Donna gasped, as if not understanding what happened. She looked at me with trembling eyes, her eyes filled with a million questions. She looked as if she could fall any time from the strain but the shields vibrated around us with new vigor.

"Congrats on your fourth shield, little mage," I smiled without joy. "You know, I hate electricity. It hurts the most."

"If I say so, you will let down the shield closest to me for a moment," I said. "Understood?"

Donna nodded slowly as if still in shock.

"Great."

I stepped next to her watching the black tendrils onslaught for a moment.

"Now."

The shield disappeared for a moment and I jumped into the tendrils. The sharp darkness stabbed at my body but it could not slow me down. I avoided attacks, tore at the tendrils, and slashed with my claws. These tendrils formed from shadows when severed also disappeared like shadows in the light. When I got to him, I smiled briefly and merely bit down on the screaming man's shoulder. As we hit the ground he fainted. All the tendrils vanished.

Donna was still protecting us from the attacks of the other mages. Gilbert, sensing Donna's peril, intensified his attacks. He created a series of rapid explosions that disoriented the remaining mages. The air was filled with the sound of detonations and the cries of our enemies. Despite the chaos, I could see that we were outnumbered and outmatched.

"Okay, just another," I decided and with a burst of speed, I jumped out from the cover of the shields and leaped into the air, tackling the mage who used electricity. I felt the heat of his magic singe my skin and make the hairs stand on end. I tore through his defenses, my claws ripping into his flesh. He screamed and fell back, the magic dissolving as his concentration broke.

Donna stumbled, blood trickling from the wounds on her side and arms, but she remained standing, defiant. Okay, I think, this is her real limit.

Gilbert's explosions continued to wreak havoc, creating chaos and confusion among Balabán's men. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and the sounds of battle. The sheer force of his magic was awe-inspiring, and even our enemies paused in fear.

Gilbert's power was a natural enemy to my regenerative abilities - how could I heal myself if he exploded me into atoms? If Gilbert could see me clearly for a moment, he could explode me before regeneration could kick in. If he could see me clearly even for a brief moment, that is.

"Are you okay?" I asked seeing the three remaining shields flicker sometimes.

She nodded, wincing in pain. "I'll be fine. Just a scratch."

"More than a scratch," Gilbert remarked from afar. "We need to get out."

"Alex, report," I said.

Alex suddenly materialized next to me. He shook his head holding up a small piece of paper. "It's a list of items sent to Belizár's auction. The earring is on it."

"Okay, let's go," I said effortlessly lifting Donna onto my back. I was surprised by her weight but pushed the thought aside.

She made a small sound of protest but we did not have time to care about her feelings.

"Gilbert," I shouted. "Retreat."

From then on it was up to the others.