Micah scouted the area around him as he wondered what in the world Liran had planned for the two of them. 

Liran was led by the two of them into the higher floors of the castle tower with the anxiety clear in both Roxanne and Micah’s faces. Micah’s hand was on his sword’s hilt and his gaze clearly scrutinising.

“You can spend the night here,” Roxanne said as she ushered him into the guest room. Liran only gave her a smile.
“Do you think the queen would be alright with that?” Liran asked and Roxanne nodded quickly.

“You really didn’t have to provoke her like that,” Micah said under his breath.

Liran only raised an eyebrow and he glanced in Roxanne’s direction.

“Do you know how many people we lost because of her stupid decision and how many more we are going to continue losing?” Liran asked as his eyes narrowed. Micah’s glowering glance didn’t change in the slightest. 

“I’m a grown man. And yes, I do know. But their sound judgement is reliant on more than just those who are dead,” Micah said as he swore under his breath.

“Well there’s no use arguing on that then. But what I really came for was something else. I have been travelling through Xiolis, looking for someone. I assume you know why,” Liran looked up to Micah and he looked confused. Roxanne shook her head and Liran sighed, “I had assumed you would have told him by now.”

“Tell me what? Is there something I don’t know?” Micah asked with confusion.

“I didn’t know how to bring this up, so I decided not to tell,” Roxanne sat down on the bed and beckoned Micah to sit down on the chair across from them.

He took the seat and asked, “What about Xiolis? They are our allies, but they are hard to negotiate with.”

Liran looked Micah in the eye and said, “Well maybe things would have been easier if they knew that you were from there.”

“What do you mean I’m from there?” Micah asked even more bewildered.

“You were born there and your family is from there,” Roxanne’s voice was soft, “But we don’t know who your family was.”

“What we’re saying is, we found you there and took you in,” Liran said and Micah’s gaze just looked truly confused and shocked.

“When? And how do I have no memory of this?” Micah was frustrated but still in shock.

“I asked Levi to suppress those memories of yours. I wasn’t ready to talk about it,” Roxanne was trying to be gentle but she knew what she had done was wrong. She reached out an arm to Micah and he swatted it away. He stood up and marched to the door.

“Wait,” Liran called out, but Micah paid no heed.

“Leave me alone for a bit,” Micah said and he left, slamming the door behind him.

Liran and Roxanne sat alone in the room for an instant before Roxanne held a blade to Liran’s neck.

“Which half are you right now?” her voice was cold, and Liran’s brows rose.

“It’s just me. I have moments till the contract comes into effect,” Liran said but Roxanne didn’t back down.

“I don’t believe you---,” Roxanne was about to continue but she was hit on the neck in a swift stroke by Liran and she fell flat to the ground.

“This is starting to get troublesome,” Liran said, and there was suddenly a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Liran said and the leader strolled in.

“You’ve already gotten rid of her, I see,” the leader said as they sighed and sat down on one of the cushioned chairs near the windows in the room.

“I won’t disappoint anymore,” Liran said with a small smile but a cold gaze.

“You’ve hurt Roxanne I see,” the leader said as they walked up to the unconscious person on the ground.

“I was careful enough. Otherwise he would never forgive me,”Liran said as he checked on Roxanne.

“I see your loyalties as always are divided. This is why I never understood your stupid contract. Why have a contract when you can take full control of the body?” the leader laughed with a smile, clearly mocking every move that Liran was making.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Liran’s voice was soft, “He promised me a lot, and fulfilled it all.”

“So that’s why you disobeyed me all this time? How will you repay me for it?” the leader asked, all their earlier mocking vanished and they were now serious, “Or maybe I’ll get Noxaura to-.”

“I don’t know what stupid game you are playing now, but don’t you dare,” Liran said as he swore under his breath and he gave an annoyed glance. 

“Liran, you don’t think I have already done something? I love the trust you have in me,” the leader was only grinning wide.

“What did you do to Nox?” Liran asked. His teeth were gritted, and hands balled into fists.

“I needed some entertainment too, Liran,” the leader said with a deep cackle.

“That doesn’t mean you mess with his life or Nox,” Liran was almost shouting at her.

“Oh? Are you forgetting why you even have a vessel? Must I remind you, or has the owner of your vessel made you soft?”the leader asked with a mild annoyance in their tone.

“There’s only an extent you can mess with his life. It’s not a game like you think,” Liran shouted and the leader didn’t even flinch.

“Oh are you certain about that? I’m stuck still wondering where such statements will get you. I know everything, Liran. And nothing can stop me,” their leader said with a grin.

“You can’t be all knowing,” Liran seemed to say only to himself but the leader only laughed.

“You’re just as bad as your daughter aren’t you?” the leader said.

Remembering the earlier conversation with Elizah, Liran swore.

“He wants to speak to her normally but for your plan I have no other choice do I?,” Liran said as he put his head in his hands.

“I needed a good piece of drama to watch,” the leader said and only grinned at the memory, “You certainly provided it.”

Liran cursed under his breath, “This is no joke. I wanted to care for her, but you. You monster.”

The leader’s eyes clearly narrowed and they said, “Is this your wish or the owner’s I wonder? Either way you’ve grown far too soft, maybe you’ll need to be put into place again.”

The leader sighed and stood up before throwing a blade. It ended up sticking in Liran’s shoulder and he immediately touched it to close the wound.

“You know I’m strong too,” Liran said and it was his turn to laugh mockingly. The leader only glared.

“You are unbearable Liran, that is your strength,” the leader only said and stuck their arms around Liran’s shoulder and stuck another blade deeper into the side of his shoulder.

“If anything, you’re the one who’s unbearable,” Liran said and he glared at the leader clearly. It was a challenge to duel him. He withdrew the blade from his shoulder and swore under his breath from a mild bit of pain, but healed the injury almost instantly.

“I forfeit already. Deem me weak but I need you on my side,” the leader said.

“I’m surprised. You never withdraw from a fight. If things keep going this way I will have to leave you and this stupid idea you have of immortality,” Liran said and he turned away from his leader’s face.

The leader began to curse and they said, “I’ve had enough of your nonsense.”

They touched Liran on his wrist and immediately Liran screamed. Memories of the past, present and the possibility of a future haunted him like a ghost.

“I hate to deal with you this way,” the leader only said before they sighed and strolled out of the room, dragging Roxanne behind her and leaving a crumbled Liran behind on the ground.