76 A Game of Pretend

"Take a seat, " Silthus beckoned Michael inside, "Darius has recounted the events to me,"

"Has he?" Michael replied flatly, taking a seat.

The usual dark ambience of Silthus parlour was starkly different in the light of day. Though nevertheless, an ominous atmosphere remained.

"Cora is alive," Silthus stated with a blank expression, " though she has yet to wake. Exactly what spell did you cast on her?"

"Just something I had lying around, " Michael replied dismissively.

"I was surprised you didn't kill her. Though you told me as much, I hardly believed it," Silthus ruminated, "your restraint is...an admirable quality, "

"And here I thought you brought me here to punish me, not sing my praise, "Michael glanced up at Silthus darkly.

"Answer me one question first," Silthus stared with an unreadable expression, " you told Darius to take the girl and run, but you must have sensed Cora's intentions? Yet you stayed and did not Kill Cora for her act,"

" I don't understand the question," Michael replied indifferently, "are you asking why I choose not to run or are you asking why I spared Cora?"

"Perhaps, you can answer both;" Silthus stared at Michael with intensity.

" What would running have achieved? She could control everything I do " Michael said with a threatening glare," I spared her only because I thought it would be a better punishment than killing her,"

"What kind of punishment would that be?" Silthus interrogated.

"A life without magic,"Michael answered," I can think of nothing worse,"

"I see,"Silthus said flatly,"And you can see how that would be a problem for me?"

"I can imagine," Michael replied unwaveringly.

"You have disabled yet another one of my generals, conveniently leaving only yourself," Silthus glared," Moreover, you have yet to solve the problem of the dogs barking at our gates. Such failure should be met with death...but.."

"But what?" Michael questioned.

"That would leave me without another general and...I consider you to be my friend, "

"Friend?" Michael's brow raised, uncomprehensively.

Silthus gave a embittered smile," You see, my generals have their uses. But Bora was without brains. Darius lacks conviction. Cora, for all her loyalty, is without a soul. And Ace... he doesn't have a heart. You are not without fault but you have what they lack,"

Michael's brow furrowed, but he said nothing.

"I know you don't consider me your friend. Nor do you enjoy our conversations, but they satisfy me, "

"Our conversations occasionally interest me..." Michael murmered.

"I am glad to hear it. You bring rationalism to my idealism,"Silthus remarked thoughtfully," the problem is where your loyalty lies. Now you are free from Cora's spell, you can leave of your own volition,"

"I can go?" Michael asked, taken aback.

"you can try..." Silthus grinned reticently.

For a moment, Michael was quiet, "No, I will stay and see this to the end. I will fix the problem Ace has created,"

"I am glad to hear it," Silthus smiled," but I must ask one question - do you love that woman?"

"If I say yes, will you kill her?" Michael's jaw clenched.

"I haven't decided yet," Silthus returned with a grave expression.

"If you did, that would change everything," Michael replied stiffly.

"Then don't give me reason to," Silthus answered coldly.

*************

Michael traversed the path to the dungeons. It was a long path, far from the other cells. It was sheltered in a long line of candle lit halls. The burnt stone echoed Michael's every step.

Finally, he reached Ace's cell. It was guarded by two mages cloaked in darkness. Michael waved them off. He found Ace sitting in the darkness. His head was tucked inside knees. His clothes were worn and torn, his hair dishevelled.

"And here I thought the torture was over," Ace said without raising his head.

Michael leant down against the opposing bars and sighed, " I'm glad you are in good spirits,"

" As well as one can be after being tortured relentlessly with holy magic,"Ace said in a low, rasping voice," How is Yona?"

"She's safe," Michael replied quietly.

"So what do you want? " Ace glanced up, " Has Silthus sent you to negotiate on his behalf?"

His expression was utterly drained of colour and vitality. There were dark circles under his eyes. The consuming darkness of his eyes had been rendered merely dark brown. Michael met his gaze with a flicker of sadness.

"Yes," Michael answered solemnly," but that's not why i'm here,"

"Then why are you here?" Ace asked with an emotionless stare.

"I've come here to say sorry," Michael uttered with pronounced difficulty.

"Sorry for betraying me?" Ace stared coldly," you'll have to excuse my refusing your apology. Being here has given me much time to consider your numerous apologies. I have come to the conclusion that forgiving you means I end up worse than if you had never apologised at all. Moreover, I think I have no more forgiveness to give...you've stolen it all,"

"I'm not sorry for betraying you, "Michael said with a frown, "I know you intended to give your life on this attempt to reunite Clover and you would have taken the rest with you,"

"That's quite an apology," Ace gave an icy smile" almost like you're not apologising at all. Well, if that's everything, I have very important dungeon related matters to attend to. If you'll excuse me,"

"I'm sorry that I tried to separate you and Clover before," Michael swallowed uneasily ,"I thought love was pointless and you were...being naive. I didn't try to understand how you felt. I thought...I thought I was doing you a favour, but...I see now I was wrong,"

"Wow, "Ace scoffed," that is just...touching. What a realisation to make 300 years too late! Oh, please spare me the theatrics! You're not sorry. You relished every moment of my misery and this...this is just another contrived attempt to manipulate me AGAIN! Just when I thought you couldn't sink any lower! Must you continue to punish me?! You're already won! Just let me be!"

Ace's face grew wild with anger. He turned his face away in unconcealed contempt and outrage.

"I'm serious," Michael said stiffly, " I think I'm in love and it's going to ruin everything. I don't know what to do,"

" What?" Ace turned back with a tempestuous glare," What did you just say?"

Michael lowered his gaze," Can you just pretend for a minute that we don't hate each other? I need...I'm asking for your advice, "

"Wait a minute," Ace leaned on the bars searching Michael's face in disbelief," you've fallen in love with Veretta? But love is disease. You hate love and you hate people in love,"

"I know," Michael murmured bitterly.

"So what? You've decided that love is real and now you're sorry for trying to tear me and Clover apart?" Ace questioned with agitation.

"So it seems," Michael replied slowly ," I had everything planned out. All the pieces are in place but...I...I don't want to move,"

"What pieces?" Ace questioned impatiently.

"You didn't think I was going to leave you here, did you?" Michael is eyes panned up cautiously.

"Then let me out!" Ace entreated.

"I can't yet," Michael replied categorically," it's not time yet,"

"What are you planning?Tell me!" Ace demanded ardently ," At this rate, Silthus is going to exorcise all my demonic magic...he's going to make me..."

"Human again?" Michael met Ace's gaze with stoic eyes.

Ace's eyes widened incredulously ,"But that's exactly what you've been waiting for, isn't it?!"

"Among other thing," Michael replied quietly.

"You son of a bitch! You can't let him do that to me!" Ace exclaimed," When he realises I'm human again there's no telling what he'll do to me!"

"Don't worry I'll release you before then," Michael shook his head soberly.

"No! " Ace screamed. He rose to a stand trembling with anger," You can't let him! Don't do this to me, Michael!"

"You know Clover never wanted to you to become a demon," Michael argued," what kind of life can you lead smothered under that toxic magic? How can you love, or hate or do anything under its influence?"

"Since when do you care what Clover thinks? " Ace snapped.

"In this regard, we were always in agreement," Michael answered gravely.

Ace shook his head wild with agitation,"You know what, Michael? You want my advice about love? You don't deserve love! You deserve to be miserable and alone like you made everyone else. I hope Veretta sees you for what you are and runs in the other direction. I hope Silthus tears you apart..."

"Careful, Ace," Michael interrupted with forlorn eyes, " You sound very human right now,"

"Fuck you!" Ace retorted, " Just get out ! I don't want to see your face,"

Michael stood slowly, " I meant what I said before, I'm sorry,"

"GET OUT!"

Michael did as he was bade. He returned to the main floor. He found Estelle, Tomas and Darius waiting. Estelle at once marched up to him.

"You summoned us here. Yet left us waiting. What was the outcome of your discussion with Silthus?"

"I'm still his general," Michael replied with an uncharacteristically grim face.

"He's sparing you?" Darius questioned surprised.

"So it seems," Michael said still deep in thought.

"So then, what now?" Tomas asked with trepidation, "the tenth grand wizard has written that she will grant us aid,"

" Aid?" Darius questioned, confused," Aid in doing what?"

Michael met their gazes darkly.

"It's time for the continent to have its revenge on Silithus."