Mange sits down on the floor. The children gather in front of him as though he was preparing for a story time with them. “About 20 years ago or so, Lilac an’ I met a wizard. He was old. Much, much older than anyone here.” Mange is waving his arms and talking with a lot of energy, really putting a lot of effort into his storytelling for the kids… “This old man was a wizard who was over a thousand years old!” the kids begin wowing in excitement. “He called Lilac an’ I in ta do a quest. He called us specifically b’cause we were a monster an’ human team!” The children are listening with such excitement, but the adults are listening intently, knowing this isn’t just a fairytale.

 

“Th’ wizard told us of his past. All th’ things he ‘ad done. He told us that humans could share their power ta name each other an’ monsters ta help them get stronger, an’ monsters could name weapons an’ armor ta give it special power! Together, humans an’ monsters were unstoppable!” the kids wow in excitement again. One of them raises their hand. “But why aren’t the humans and monsters friends anymore?” Mange places his hand on the child’s head. “Th’ humans an’ monsters… trust… is a hard thing ta hold onto when ya get older.” Mange looks at the adults. “I’ll save th’ details on that ‘til the children ‘re asleep.” Mange looks back down at the children.

 

“Anyway, when th’ wizard told us all this, he ‘ad me name our equipment ta make it stronger! Lilac an’ I got better at fightin’ without liftin’ a finger! It was th’ first time either of us ‘ad seen anythin’ like it! After that, th’ wizard called us back fer years. Lilac an’ I went on many adventures through ‘im. He treated me like family…” The leader raises his hand. “This wizard… do you remember his name?” Mange scratches his chin. “After all th’ drinkin’, It’s a hard one ya remember. Lochmia, Lochemia, ehhh…” The leader’s eyes widen. “You don’t mean Lochmodian, do you?!” Mange snaps his finger and points at the leader. “Yeah! That’s it!” The leader becomes excited.

 

“He was someone my grandfather spoke of frequently! Is he still alive?! I wish to talk to him!” Lilac steps forward with her arms crossed. “Lochmodian’s tower was burned down around the same time Scovir was destroyed…” Mange clenches his teeth. “Th’ old man… he was killed by Malachai…” Lilac quickly steps forward. “Now, hold on-“ “NO!!!” Mange shouts, cutting off Lilac. Mange stands up, looking at Lilac with a serious expression. “Th’ man is more of a monster than anyone here! Th’ last fight we ‘ad was over my people, and he CHOSE ta kill’em all an’ the old man over it!” Lilac gets frustrated. “Malachai isn’t like that! He’s a genuine Hero!”

 

Mange chuckles a little, then looks at Lilac with a straight face. “I’m sure that’s what I’d say if I was workin’ fer the bastard! Ya let 'im throw ya ta me at my worst! Ta do what?! Rip ya apart like I did him?!” Lilac’s expression changes a little. “Well, he-“ “Or was it at every quest we did, he made us take th’ front lines ta save his own hide?! Maybe when he bought me as a slave ta use me as a meat shield!” Lilac gets frustrated and storms into the kitchen and out of a back exit. Mange holds his posture as we stand in a moment of painful silence. He really doesn’t trust her… Mange looks around to us. “I… know I’m askin’ fer a lot… I jus’ need ya ta trust me. I’ve been waitin’ fer a situation like this fer years. Now, we got plenty a’ Heroes ta take on Malachai.”

 

Mange kneels down on the ground, bowing his head. “Please… I’ll help ya reclaim Zvesgard fer th’ monsters. Jus’ please… help me take down Malachai!” Everyone stands silent. Motionless. They aren’t sure what to do. “You really are asking for a lot.” The leader says, breaking the silence. Mange keeps his head down without making a sound. The leader walks over to Mange. The children move away as the leader kneels down. “You’ve done much for us in the last few days, but to ask us to hunt a man we do not know. It doesn’t just put us at risk, but everyone I’m vowing to protect right now.”

 

“I know… But I can’t keep goin’ on like this… livin’ in fear that Malachai is still out there…” Mange keeps his head down as he begs us for help. The leader stands up. “You’ll have to give us time to discuss this.” Mange lifts his head a little. “Yeah… please do…” The leader walks over to me. “Let us go discuss this.” We walk towards the back exit. Fivi and the Feline follow. We step outside onto a back area of the building with an overhead rain guard. The storm is slowed, but persisting. Lilac is sitting on the far side of the back area away from us. The leader leans in towards us to speak quietly.

 

“So, what should we do? Mange has assisted us greatly over these past few days, but if we hunt this Malachai person, it could lead to us being hunted.” The Feline crosses his arms. “I don’t think it’s worth it. Sure, Mange may have helped us achieve this Hero status, but there’s too much at risk!” “But aren’t we being hunted, anyway? We have just freed humans before their execution, and killed a lot of human Heroes. Wouldn’t doing this at least motivate Mange to stay on our side?” Fivi points out. The leader looks to me. “What about you, Laoch? Do you have any opinions on this?”

 

I rub my head as I think about it. I turn back and look at Lilac. She seems very upset, but if anyone could give us a perspective of the risks, it would be someone who knows Malachai from a positive side. I walk away from the others and approach Lilac. She doesn’t so much as look at me. “What do you want, Laoch? I refuse to take part in your hunt for Malachai.” I sit in a seat next to Lilac. I touch my hand to my chest. “I’m not feeling much like talking…” Lilac says to me. I lay my hand on top of hers. She looks down at my hand, then looks up to me. I raise my hand and hold it up to the other three, then gently tap my fist to my chest.

 

Fivi steps over, sitting on the other side of Lilac. “I think Laoch is telling you that we are considering our options. Your opinion is just as important to us as our own.” Lilac begins to cry. “Why?! Why do I have to choose between my dearest friend and my love?!” Everyone stays silent. “Malachai hasn’t been the nicest person in his life, but he’s always been there for me since the beginning!” She wipes her arm across her eyes. “Mange is the first person I have ever truly loved! He worked so hard to better himself while he helped and protect me!” Lilac cries into her arm for a few minutes. Being honest, in this situation, I’d probably feel the same. You’re expected to choose to help the one you love over family. It’s a really fickle problem.

 

Lilac calms herself down enough to talk. “I… didn’t know about Mange’s past until I overheard the conversation he and Laoch had. He had always been so strong that I never considered how bad it was.” Lilac interlocks her fingers as she looks down at water from the rain pooling in small spots of the floor. “Do you know why Mange doesn’t trust me? It is because every time I find him, Mange always seems to be chased off by Heroes Malachai sends to find me.” She chuckles a little While holding back her tears. “It’s quite funny, isn’t it? Malachai is too worried about finding Mange, and Mange is too worried about hiding from Malachai, leaving me alone and on my own by both of them. It’s almost poetic, really.”

 

The door leading to the inside opens. Mange steps out from the house to see us talking to Lilac. “So, I take it that’s a no?” Lilac leans forward as her eyes swell with tears. “Wait, Mange! I-“ “Save it! There’s nothin’ ya can say after sellin’ me out so many times!” Mange shouts without even hearing Lilac out! Frustration! Fury! It’s boiling so strongly inside of me! I stand up and storm over to Mange. “What, Laoch?! Ya got somethin’ ta-!” I slap Mange across the face, silencing him! Everyone gasps, covering their mouths. Mange slowly turns his head back to me. Fear… it’s the first emotion as his gaze washes over me. “Ya wanna run that by me one more time?” Mange says with an intimidating tone! I… I might die here, but… I’ll make Mange listen!

 

I shiver as I point at Mange. I put one hand over my mouth and the other around my ear, telling him to shut up and listen! I then turn to Lilac, pointing at her, then moving my hand as if speaking, telling Mange that it’s her turn to talk! Mange looks at me, then looks up at Lilac. He snorts as he grabs a chair, putting it behind himself and taking a seat. “Ya got five minutes. Talk!” Mange says with an irritated tone. Lilac is clearly still shaken. She seems to be struggling to say anything, but looks as though she has a mountain of things to say. Lilac opens her mouth, letting out sounds as if she’s struggling to speak. I slam my fist against my chest, making a loud noise! I didn’t make this chance for you to stay silent!