What Memory Remains
Chapter 35: Grant Me This

The doors of the Epsilon Cathedral groaned, soon letting in the two dark-clad figures of Sade and Zenapharr. Monks nearby took notice of their entrance, only made more apparent from the small patter of rain that remained outside. After taking a final glance behind them, the two threw back their hoods and set a wooden bar across the door. Their wet boots softy squished against the carpet, which Zenapharr found to be a strangely pleasing auditory aesthetic. On their way to the office, they passed the monks cleaning up the blood from the horrible encounter with the Shade.

“Good thing they used a red carpet,” Zenapharr thought somberly.

Sade’s eyes met for a moment with one of the monks, and the exchange filled him with sympathy. Within them, he saw both the sorrow of his fallen comrade and the worry for their leader. Trying to fill them with some sense of hope, Sade forced a smile. The monk responded with an equally strained one.

“I hope they don’t think this is our fault,” Zenapharr whispered once they far enough away.

“I don’t think so. Even so…we protected them.”

“But we’re the reason the Shade was here in the first place.”

“It’s best we not think on such things. Let’s just focus on what we have to do.”

“Yeah….”

Back in the office, they found Aegis sitting upright and looking very alert. His left hand clutched his bandage wrap as he continued flipping through some notebook, only taking a short second to acknowledge them with a slight nod.

“Feeling better?” Zenapharr inquired with a dab of sarcasm.

“Yes, very much, thank you.” The adventurer replied, eyes still glued to his book.

“What is that?”

“It’s a notebook of all my relics. Lists what I have and what properties each item has. It will be the key to helping the girl.”

“Great, what have we got?” Sade sat down to peer into the notebook.

“Two things and…WHAT are you doing? This is for my eyes only.”

“I don’t think you’re in much of a position to be coy,” Zenapharr narrowed his eyes, and an uncomfortableness settled in Aegis’ voice.

“Well, I….it’s just….I like to have my privacy. Can’t have everyone knowing what I’ve got.”

“So have you got something or not?”

“Yes, in fact I have. It does appear I have a crucifix blessed by the High Priest and numerous holy enchantments. The attack on Alice is dark in nature, so this seems the most logical to use. If this does not lift the darkness from her….I’m not sure what else to do.”

“We have to try.”

“Of course. Your timing is impeccable. I think I’m feeling well enough to make it to the treasure room. We’ll need to take Alice there. She’ll be safer there, and we can close the door behind us in the case of any police poking about. I’m sure word has reached the town of our encounter with the Shade already.”

“It has. How did that even happen? Did one of the monks leave and talk to someone?”

“No, fortunately. Apparently during our battle, someone started to come inside and briefly saw what was going on. One of our monks signaled for them to leave, which they did. I had no idea.”

“Nor did I. Then again, we were a little busy at the time. Are you ready to go now?”

“Yes…just give me a moment to stand up. My legs are still weak.”

“Here, let us help you.”

While not happy with the prospect, Zenapharr aided Sade with standing Aegis up and walking him over to the secret door. Down the steps they went, talking as they descended.

“So what got you into all of this, anyway?” Sade inquired of Aegis.

“The collecting?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I didn’t always want to collect. I used to be into history and I—oof, take it easy won’t ya?”

“Sorry, these steps are bumpy,” Zenapharr grumbled.

Sade gave a sidelong glance at Zenapharr, which he intentionally ignored.

“I use to study history…thought it was important to know what got us where we are. I was fascinated by the technology the world used to have, as well as the abandoned tombs and temples and such. I wanted to explore them all, not only to see the world and our past, but was fascinated by how many magical items were lost in the war. There was so much power just out there, waiting to be taken away.”

“So you started doing it pretty early on then.”

“Well not exactly, mate. I was twenty five before I ever ventured out. As you probably know, that’s older than most to start out.”

“Were you not trained before?”

“No, I was trained by my father....oh good we’re here now. Will you do the honors?” The adventurer procured his wind-up key and offered it to Sade. In moments, they were in the treasure room. “Okay now….I think I know where I put this. I can just lean against this counter here, so you are both relieved of your duties.”

Zenapharr let go and rolled his eyes, turning to go back upstairs and bring Alice back down.

“So, back to what you were saying. Your father trained you?” A look of uncomfortableness began to crack in Aegis’ constant smirk at the question. It was not just a coincidence that he stopped talking about it when they reached the door, it was a good excuse for Aegis.

“He trained me, yes. It’s just that he…seemed me not worthy of going with him on his excursions. That’s why I didn’t go until I was twenty five. I always wanted to go together with him so…it wasn’t until after he died that I would go out on my own. That’s all.”

“Ahh, I see. My old man…he was a piece of work himself.”

“It seems common a father doesn’t approve of his son’s way of doing things. I wasn’t considered tough enough because I read books and educated myself. I guess because I didn’t play careds and gamble or act like the alpha male, then I wasn’t tough Ridiculous! He was the one who taught me to defend myself! Said by not letting me go that he was protecting me…what a joke. ”

“Mine showed his disapproval in a much different way.”

Sade pulled his sleeve up enough to show some scars on his forearms.

“By the heavens….he did that to you?”

“Yeah. No worries though. He got his.” A dark look shot across Sade’s face at this. Aegis nodded, notably more uncomfortable at the brief expression. After a moment of reflection, Aegis pulled out his notebook and scanned through it again.

“Already forgot where you put it?”

“No, it’s not in here. But I know I have it. How strange.”

At this, Sade’s foothalls resounded off the stone steps and his silhouette holding the unconscious Alice approached them. The poor child’s face looked flush and gave the impression of a restless sleep. After setting her down on a bench, Zenapharr knelt down and grasped her hand within his.

“Where are you, sweet girl….” Zenapharr spoke aloud, more to himself than to Alice. After a moment, Aegis got up and began rummaging around his items, mumbling to himself all the while.

“Why can’t I replace it?!” Aegis huffed, more aggressively rifling through his cabinets and drawers.

“What does it look like?” Zenapharr said, now standing behind them.

“Oh, now you’re willing to help?”

“Excuse me?!”

“You heard me, assassin.”

Aegis, while still clutching his side in pain, confidently wheeled around to size up Zenapharr. The Seraphim glowered down at the adventurer, a noticeable head taller.

“Maybe I should rip your tongue out so I don’t have to hear you anymore.”

“Guys, let’s…”

“Stay out of this!” Aegis shouted, turning back to Zenapharr.

“Speak your mind, false priest! I believe you were commenting on my contribution.”

“Absolutely. I’ve heard so much about you, and I guess the saying about how the truth gets twisted as it travels keeps true. The Great Zenapharr Meridian…the world’s greatest assassin. And when a threat comes along, he cowers in fear. That’s all that I’ve seen so far.”

“If you knew half the things I’ve done, you’d be cowering before me now. I recall it being Sade that defeated the Shade, and not you.”

“Still better than nothing.”

“You were lucky…too lucky. Only getting away with a little scratch on the tummy, I see. How’s that wound feeling?”

“It’s feeling just fine.”

“Good.”

At this, Zenapharr pulled his arm back and crashed his fist into Aegis’ face, sending him sprawling into the wall of affects. On impact, multiple items clanged and banged on the floor.

“Oouuh, you cretin! You almost broke my jaw!” Aegis howled, cradling his face.

“That was only 10 percent. Keep talking to me like that and you get more. I still owe you that from earlier. You finally gave me the proper motivation.”

“Zenapharr, what are you--?”

“Father Aegis!” A voice called from the steps, and the three stopped to listen in. It was the voice of one of their monks.

“Yes, Nall?” Aegis called, a small wince in his voice.

“The four gentlemen upstairs want to know if they can have confessionals at this time. They were very persistent and sounded quite distraught. I was going to turn them away, but they were soaked through. I think they could be homeless.”

“Nall, how many times have I told you? It’s too late for confessionals…has everything even been cleaned up?”

A look of alarm suddenly crossed Zenapharr’s face.

“Wait, is it those guys poking their heads in the door when I was getting water for Alice?”

The monk’s footsteps continued, but no response now.

Sade and Zenapharr exchanged a cautionary glance.

“Someone from outside saw you?” Sade spoke through gritted teeth.

“I was far away and had my back turned but…Alice’s head may have been showing…”

“Nall, are they inside now?” Aegis yelled out.

“Arm yourselves,” Zenapharr spoke low.

“Why?”

“I hear five footsteps now.”

At this note, shadows played across the stone walls of the room and the monk Nall stepped into view. His was slightly arched and they immediately saw the glint of a blade held against the monk’s throat. A man in a dusty coat stood directly behind him with a snide grin.

“The others….are they dead?” Aegis demanded.

“No, they’re tied up, but if you don’t play your cards right they will be. So…I believe I’ve seen three of you before Mr. Sade, Zenapharr and…..Ms. Alice.” He pointed the blade to each as he mentioned their name. “Now, here’s how it’s going to go. I’ll need the Seraphim to pick the girl up and we’ll tie the other one’s hands.”

Behind him, three other gentlemen flanked him on both sides.

“Any resistance…especially from you, Seraphim, and Nall here’s going to have a nice size hole in his neck. We’re here to collect our reward.”

“Turn back now.” Zenapharr said coldly. Sade could see that he was getting that look.

“No. We’ve got you right where we want you. Why would we turn back now? Are you some kind of idiot?” The thug jeered.

“You don’t have the faintest clue what you’re getting yourself into.”

“I don’t, do I? Why is that?”

“Every…single…one of you.” Zenapharr’s eyes began to turn red and the heat began to rise in the room. “All of you who don’t know me….you judge me. You hate me before you even speak to me. I’m different from you, and that makes it even easier. I’m sick of it…it makes me hate you humans. Even you.” His head turned to look upon Aegis and Sade.

One might think this was some ruse, but the look in his eyes did not change when he glanced at his comrades. The hatred and malice of a thousand years teemed within his gaze. Sade felt afraid…his friend was losing his grip.

“I never said it before….I even thought I was beginning to care….love others but…..it’s a lie. An act I can only keep up for so long. You humans….all you care about are yourselves. You cheat…lie…and kill to get what YOU want from each other! You only band together to get rid of some common problem, then go back to ripping each other apart again! So as far as I’m concerned now… Seraphim is all there is to me. You are all expendable, and you are ALL going to die under my watch. And I’m going to start….”

Zenapharr turned back to the thug holding Nall captive.

“….with you.”