Chapter 30: The end of the night

There was a lull. Only the rain falling at first. Then a roar from the crowd. Suddenly, Ace opened his eyes with a start.Ace stared up in confusion. The Emperor was withdrawing into the distance. Albaric knelt down by his side.

"Are you okay?" he took hold of Ace's arm and threw it over his shoulder to hoist him up. Ace's face was white and shivery with a fixed expression.

"What's happening?" he murmured.

"The match has been halted,"

Albaric recounted what had happened a few moments before. The Emperor had been standing over Ace. Albaric had dashed to Ace's side with the intention of repelling him when another approached. A knight had darted out in front of the Emperor and whispered something in his ear.

At that moment, to Albaric's relief, the Emperor had suddenly lowered his sword. He was recounting this to Ace just as two more of the royal guards approached. They both looked up in surprise.

"You've been invited to the royal court," said one.

"Both of us?" Albaric questioned.

The guard nodded. However, Albaric observed that in spite of the so-called 'invitation' both had blades drawn. The journey back to the palace didn't take long but when they arrived outside the court, they were prohibited from entering.

"What's this all about?" Albaric began to argue.

At that moment, a voice came from within. They were hastily ushered inside. Standing in the hall was the Emperor, the Grand wizard and Sister Leila with their eyes focused ahead. Ace had never seen the court before. It beheld the most intricate and lavishly dark ornaments Ace had ever seen. The walls were mounted with weapons easily ascribed to the Emperor's taste. For within a moment, there was the Emperor, tall, dark and as sullen as the room; Still covered in mud, fresh from the battlefield.

The Emperor's cold glare met Ace and the sword Saint. The wizard correspondingly turned on hearing their approach. His countenance was markedly more on edge than usual. And as for Sister Leila, she still exhibited the same assuming smile.

"Speak then," the Emperor instructed, "Tell them what you told the minister of defence,"

Finally, Ace and Albaric saw what the three had been looking at. Lord Clover was sitting on the steps leading up to the throne with a reticent smile. Still chained but with an indifferent manner unbefitting a prisoner.

"As I told him it wasn't exactly a lie when I said the other demon Lord's were dead," Clover answered with a spiteful smile. "More of an omission,"

"Just get to the point," the Emperor snapped.

Clover threw up their hands with mock repentance, "Yes, your Majesty!" then with a smirk and lowered voice added:

"There are two other demon lords." Clover held up two fingers, "They're new. One to the south and one to the East. I would take a guess and say the one to the East is your problem - I think he's called Var or Varsi. I can't remember exactly. I wasn't really paying much attention,"

"So we are to believe there is apparently not one but two demon lords, whose name you can't even remember - and they what? Just appeared out of the blue and started raiding the Northern temples?" the wizard scoffed, "I think this is just another ploy to waste our time!"

"I have to say I agree," Sister Leila smiled beguilingly, "You just all of a sudden remembered this, on the eve before your execution?"

Clover employed an amused shrug, "Have we met before Sister?"

Sister Leila continued to smile but said nothing. Instead, it was the Emperor who spoke next:

"You share the information which only you can corroborate. You are the only one with the means to travel between the realms with ease. And you know that most humans have no chance in the demon world." He stared down unamused.

Ace and Albaric exchanged confused glances.

Clover leant back with a smug smile, "Well you could always wait until they come back. I'm sure it'll be much easier to fight them when they descend upon the human world,"

The wizard inhaled sharply and turned to the Emperor.

"Your majesty," he petitioned, "This is just another trick!"

The Emperor shot him a wrathful glance and the wizard became quiet again. He turned his glaze sharply to Clover. Sister Leila slyly caressed the wizard's arm as if to subdue him. She stepped forward and addressed the Emperor.

"May I make a suggestion?" she simpered.

The Emperor's expression remained unchanged, "By all means,"

"If what the Demon Lord says is true, we still have one advantage. We also possess one of these Daelven items. One that went undetected," she glanced at Ace, " From what I understand, the item is able to protect humans from the effects of the demon world. If the demon Lord is truly intent on helping us, they might use their vast knowledge of such items to help us find a way to cross the border and deal with these demons before they reach our side. Do you think it is possible, demon lord?"

"Hmm," Clover smirked, "I believe so - that is if I were so inclined to help you,"

"Let me guess. You want a pardon for you and this boy?" The Emperor asked flatly.

"That would be a start..."

"No," the Emperor cut in, "Right now, you are more dangerous to the Empire than these so-called new demon lords. You want to negotiate a pardon? Find a way for us to cross the border and defeat these new demons. Only then will a pardon even be considered,"

"I'm not sure that's a very generous offer," Clover sulked.

"Take it or leave it." The Emperor said apathetically, "You can make your mind up in the dungeons. Don't take too long. I haven't cancelled your execution yet,"

"Your majesty!" the wizard began another protest.

However, the Emperor's mind was made up. He motioned to the guards. As he did, the royal guard grabbed the Demon Lord. The wizard with shaky breath pivoted abruptly on his heels. He appeared to be close to an outburst of some kind, but instead, he stormed off.

Sister Leila followed a pace behind. She wore a smile that disguised her thoughts almost as well as the Emperor. At the door, she paused to glance back at Ace but said nothing.

Once they were alone with the Emperor, Albaric stepped forward.

"Your majesty, Ace isn't..." he began.

"I've heard your petition, Albaric. I haven't changed my mind. The boy's thrown his lot in with this Demon." The Emperor stated coolly. "Now he made his challenge and he lost. Whether he lives or dies will depend on that demon. You can do as you please but he will stay and see this through,"

Albaric's face grew stiff. "If this punishment is meant for me, I ask you not to involve him. He is my apprentice. I am responsible. Please reconsider,"

Albaric gave a rigid bow. His body language pointedly set on leaving the room as quick as decorum would allow. However, the Emperor, far from dismissing him, continued to speak:

"In the past, I considered you a close confidant and though time has not been kind to our friendship, I would have never expected you to come on bent knee pleading for the life of another - one who would sympathise with demons. That day, you were like a stranger to me, Albaric. And even now, you defend demons and those who sympathise with them. I can scarcely believe it's you, especially after what happened to your sister,"

Albaric's eyes remained firmly planted on the floor. He did not break from his bow. Still, Ace could see Albaric's face had grown red and his expression was barely able to maintain the emotion brimming underneath it.

"I do not defend the actions they have committed," Albaric replied in a low voice.

"Then how else can you explain it? Today, I'm certain that you intended to raise your sword against me. It beggars belief,"

"I'm sorry that I have disappointed you,"

" The court wants me to revoke your title,"

"Please do as you see fit," Albaric returned in a subdued voice.

The Emperor gave an uncharacteristic sigh but said no more. He departed from the room.

As soon as the door shut, Ace tapped Albaric's shoulder lightly.

"Were you really going to fight the Emperor ?"Ace felt a swell of emotion, "You've been such a good friend to me. I don't think I deserve a friend like you,"

"Everyone deserves a friend like me," Albaric tried to smile. His face was still slightly flushed with emotion. Ace observed him with unconvinced remorse. Albaric inhaled deeply, quickly discarding the show of emotion.

"Don't worry," he said with more conviction, "the Emperor will forgive me,"

"He doesn't seem like a forgiving person,"

"You'd be surprised what people can forgive - with enough charm," Albaric grinned, "but charm aside, the Emperor doesn't mince words. We need to talk with Clover. If they decide not to take the deal, I don't know what's going to happen," he shifted uncomfortably.

Ace fell back and sat himself on the floor in a state of exhaustion. In truth, only the adrenaline of the duel had given him the strength to keep standing. He felt pain all over. The Emperor's magic had gnawing aftereffect.

But beyond giving way to the physical pain, there was an even greater sense of release. Ace couldn't put his finger on it but he felt changed. It was as though the Emperor had in fact killed him and he awoke as a different person.

Albaric knelt down beside him.

"Are you okay?"

Ace nodded, a whisper of a laugh tickled his throat. Before he knew it, he had burst into loud boyish laughter. Albaric stared at him, half in surprise and even less reassured. But Ace couldn't help it. IF he didn't laugh, he thought he might cry from the absurdity of it all.

"I'm fine, really," Ace chuckled, seeing Albaric was still watching with a concerned face. He pulled himself back up.

"It's just funny, isn't it? If this is what it means to be alive, I don't think I was alive before. I mean maybe I was but it was like watching everything at night. I finally understand what you were saying before, that's all."