Chapter Text
Kakavasha had always enjoyed staying in bed. It wasn’t that he woke up late – rather, it took a while for his dreams to fade away as he lingered, wrapped in as many blankets and cots as he could, drifting in the comfortable state between sleep and wakefulness and enjoying the last few moments before day imposed itself upon him.
Except now; now there was heat across his face and light shining in his eyes, and that wasn’t comfortable at all.
One more minute, Kakavasha wanted to say, curling up on the bed. One more minute before the sun would rise properly and the cold armour of Aventurine would settle over him, forcing him awake. He buried his face in the pillow, revelling in the sensation of soft fabric against his skin, squeezing his eyes shut. One more minute…
But oh, why did something have to be shining in his eyes? Did he forget to extinguish a candle when going to sleep last night? Was Veritas experimenting with light incantations again? Kakavasha groaned softly, opening his eyes to glare at the source of his discomfort-
And saw the very man he’d given his heart to – the same man who, impossibly, had in turn given his heart to Kakavasha.
The two were lying in the same bed, their faces mere inches apart. Remarkably, Veritas was still asleep, the sun cascading down his soft purple hair and beautiful face, framing it like a masterwork painting. A work of art. Kakavasha reached out almost afraid to touch Veritas, but… his hand was human. He could do this. He wanted to do this.
He gently brushed a stray strand of hair out of Veritas’s eyes. Veritas mumbled something and huffed, but didn’t stir. Kakavasha smiled. Oh, his doctor looked adorable like this.
He ran his hands through Veritas’s hair, tangling the curling locks between his fingers. How lucky was he, to have met someone like this? To find someone who endured Kakavasha’s behaviour, tolerated his presence, even… cared about him. Loved him.
Someone who loved Kakavasha. What a concept. And yet. Kakavasha gently laid his hand on Veritas’s cheek, basking in the feeling. If only we could stay like this forever.
But… he couldn’t, could he? Any moment now, the sun would rise and he would once more be trapped in that accursed form. If his fingers were too close when the claws appeared, he’d no doubt wake Veritas up; hurt him, even. So, with a sigh, Kakavasha withdrew his hand. He sat up in the bed, cautious not to make the springs screech as the covers slipped off him. Blinking away the last vestiges of sleep, he looked around for the source of the eye-searing light…
The window. The shutter was open, letting in winter chill and- and sunlight.
Kakavasha scrambled out of the bed, ignoring the cold of the floor under his bare feet as he ran to the window and leaned on the sill. The sights beyond were all too familiar, and yet not, as though he was looking through a different pair of eyes. The castle roofs, black tiles iced over; the trees in the distance, evergreens mixing with bare branches. The cloudless, pale sky above. And the sun… the sun was high in the sky, brilliant and glorious.
It was almost midday, and yet there was no blue filter over Kakavasha’s eyes; no awkward claws at the tips of his fingers. No pressing fabric that cut off all other sensation. Kakavasha was… he was…
His memories finally caught up with his waking mind, and Kakavasha gasped as he remembered – the mob storming the castle, the sudden, debilitating weakness, flare of light from the window, Veritas’s battered form on the ground, that witch and-
Veritas declaring his love. Veritas kissing him. The armour melting off Kakavasha because the curse was- the curse was-
It felt impossible to even think about.
Kakavasha left the window and clambered back into bed, his hand reaching out for Veritas’s neck, trying to feel for his pulse. There- there, of course Veritas was still alive, he was still breathing, Kakavasha had heard him breathing, but still, still…
He was alive. And the curse was-
And the curse was broken.
Without thinking, Kakavasha wrapped his arms around Veritas, pulling him closer to his chest. He could feel his doctor’s heartbeat. He pressed his face into the crook of Veritas’s neck, listening closely. You’re with me. After everything, you’re still with me.
“Kakavasha…?”
Veritas sounded dazed, his voice thick with sleep. Kakavasha hummed softly, trying to blink away the tears that sprung to his eyes. Veritas’s hand wrapped around his back, ever so gentle. Kakavasha’s breath hitched, and he winced. No, that wouldn’t do. He couldn’t let his doctor see how worried he’d been.
“Had to wake you up somehow,” he said, hoping the slight tremble in his voice would be inaudible. “It’s almost midday, you know?”
“Is that so?” Veritas mumbled.
He pulled his head back, side-eyeing Kakavasha. His crimson eyes were still half-closed from sleep, but no less attentive as they looked him over. Perhaps Kakavasha truly was lucky, if this was the man who’d chosen to fall in love with him.
“Here you are,” Veritas muttered. It didn’t make much sense, but Kakavasha smiled back.
“Here I am.”
“Hmm.” Veritas turned on his back, dragging Kakavasha with him until he was lying atop the taller man’s chest. Kakavasha was more than fine with that; he pulled himself slightly upward and met Veritas in a kiss.
It was slow, languid, but no less sweet for it. Kakavasha closed his eyes, letting himself linger in it – the taste and press of Veritas’s lips, the softness of the hair brushing against him, the pleased hum Veritas let out… He chuckled as he felt Veritas drag the covers from in-between them, then toss them over the both of them. He pulled back for breath.
“I take it we’re not getting out of bed yet?” Kakavasha asked. Veritas narrowed his eyes and shook his head. Kakavasha laughed.
I love you, he thought giddily as he dove back into another kiss.
***
As Veritas walked down the spiral stairs some time later, he felt strangely… floaty. Maybe it was the awareness that he was free from his curse. Maybe it was the lingering pleasure of his and Kakavasha’s time together, just now.
Or maybe it was brain damage from being repeatedly slammed into the ground. Veritas could not discount that as a possibility, and yet he couldn’t help but notice – his body did not hurt. No broken bones, no bleeding, no pain, not even bruises, despite all the abuse Wood had put his body through. Either Veritas had been asleep for far longer than he thought, or Topaz was hiding some surprising magic for a demon.
“What’s on your mind, doctor?” Kakavasha asked right next to him. The smaller man was two steps behind, but he leaned forward, his eyeline even with Veritas’s.
“Nothing in particular,” he admitted. “Just… thinking.”
“Mmm. What about?”
“Wood,” he admitted. “What he did to me.”
Kakavasha narrowed his eyes, a soft growl escaping him.
“He paid for it,” he said. “I will make him pay a thousand times more, if necessary.”
“No need,” Veritas assured him quickly, then bit his lip. “Just… he used that ritual on me.”
Kakavasha glanced sideways at him, concern marrying his face.
“Are you worried he did something permanent to you?”
“I don’t know,” Veritas admitted, feeling tension seeping under his skin. “I… I need to use magic. And I need to make sure doctor Rond is alright.”
Kakavasha nodded.
“I think you still have that circle for astral projection painted in the library,” he suggested. “That one that works properly… and doesn’t make you pass out anymore, I guess.”
“Let’s use that,” Veritas said, his lips quirking up at the Kakavasha’s reluctant admission that the circle was usable. He reached the bottom of the stairs and hurried down the corridor – only to pause a moment later as beside him, Kakavasha tripped. Veritas caught him before he could plant his face into the floor, alarmed.
“What happened?”
Kakavasha laughed under his breath, steadying himself.
“Nothing, just… forgot I couldn’t fly anymore.”
“Heh.” Veritas chuckled. “Welcome back to being human, your lordship.”
“Your what?” Kakavasha laughed, gripping Veritas’s arms as he straightened up. Veritas raised an eyebrow at him.
“Did you forget? You are, legally, the lord of Castle Stoneheart, now.”
“What joy,” Kakavasha laughed. “We’ll see how long that lasts. Now then, shall we…?”
“Thank Qlipoth, you’re awake!”
Still holding each other, the two of them turned to find Topaz down the corridor, hands on her hips as she grinned at them. Numby was beside her. At the sight of them, the familiar bolted towards Veritas, who leaned down, intending to pet it. Before he could do it, however, Numby leapt into his arms; Veritas held it, stunned, as it nuzzled its snout into his cheecks. Beside him, Kakavasha laughed.
“How are you guys feeling?” Topaz asked once Numby wriggled itself out of Veritas’s grip. “You’ve been sleeping the whole night and half a day, so I hope you’re well-rested.”
Veritas offered her a smile and a nod.
“Much better – owing to you, I presume?”
“Yeah, I fixed you up a bit.” Topaz let out a relieved sigh. “Good. Good.”
“My sincerest thanks,” Veritas replied, genuinely glad, though not quite willing to question whether she used ordinary medicine or demonic magic to help him.
Kakavasha glanced between the two of them until understanding appeared on his face. He gave Topaz a terse nod, which she replied to with a smile.
“So, you going for breakfast, or…?” she asked.
“The library,” Veritas told her, and started walking, Kakavasha falling into step beside him. As they passed Topaz, she joined them on his other side, Numby once more on her back.
“So…” Kakavasha said, hid hand finding Veritas’s and gripping it, “What happened after we passed out?”
“Sunday managed to corral everyone and get them to leave,” Topaz replied. “Don’t ask me how, I was making sure you two were good. He went with them. No-one else came by since.”
“How was he doing?” Veritas asked.
“Hard to tell,” she admitted. “He looked exhausted to the bone, but last I saw of him, he was still conscious.”
Veritas bit his lip. At least Sunday was not alone; and if he remembered to unlock the door to Rond’s house, his teacher would no doubt take note of his state and force Sunday to get help.
Meanwhile, Kakavasha side-eyed Topaz.
“And Wood?” he asked, no emotion in his voice.
“I have him locked up in one of the empty rooms,” Topaz replied. “Tied to the wall, tied up, and gagged too, just in case he wants to try any rituals.”
Veritas whistled under his breath, mildly glad he never managed to annoy Topaz.
“My thanks for taking care of that,” he said. “But we can’t exactly leave him there forever.”
“Of course not.” Topaz was nodding. “His soul is owed to Diamond, who is, I imagine, getting rather impatient about it. Wood tricking him with another person’s lifeforce for decades on end would be embarrassing for him if the other courts found out.”
“Then let’s call him up and let him pick up his stray witch,” Kakavasha drawled out. “Since it’s so long overdue for claiming.”
Topaz nodded.
“I’ll report it after the sun sets,” she replied. “In the meanwhile, what’s bringing you two to the library?”
“I need to speak with my teacher,” Veritas replied. After a moment, he added, “I… need to see if I still can.”
Kakavasha squeezed his hand. Veritas clutched it back. If he were to have gained the ability to use magic, only to lose it like this… Nous, I hope not.
***
The circle was there, the candles set up. Veritas sat in the centre, sunlight illuminating the library around him. Outside, Kakavasha gave him an encouraging smile.
Without another word, Veritas closed his eyes and surrendered to the ritual’s pull.
It was… difficult. Far more difficult than before. It reminded Veritas of his earliest experiments, and of the time he was sprawled out on the ground in the middle Wood’s ritual. But he could still do it. With effort, but he could still force himself to do magic.
Maybe I just need to train myself up again, he hoped as around him, reality faded away. He focused on his own home, envisioning it in his mind. Rond is fine, he told himself. He is fine, and he is home.
When reality returned, he was a spoon, and had a rather surreal experience of watching doctor Rond’s entirely too large mouth coming closer and closer…
‘Doctor Rond!’ Veritas quickly said.
Rond dropped the spoon with a curse. It clattered to the ground, and Veritas’s vision spun. He found himself grateful that without his body, he was free from the sensation of nausea.
“Good heavens, Veritas, you scared me,” Rond chuckled, picking the spoon up. He eyed it cautiously. “You always pick the strangest items to project into.”
‘I don’t exactly pick them,’ Veritas admitted. ‘But that’s irrelevant. Are you all right?’
“Of course I am,” Rond chuckled. “I spent the whole night snug and cozy in my humble abode while those fools outside ran themselves ragged and were presumably scared for life by your darling love.”
Now, Veritas found himself glad he did not have a throat, as otherwise he’d assuredly choke at Rond’s words. He still sputtered, though, causing Rond to laugh.
‘Uhm… anyway… Tell me, did Sunday visit you at all?’
Rond’s gaze turned serious.
“He did not, but I did go to the presbytery once I noticed that Wood didn’t return with the others. The boy was exhausted and a little dehydrated, but otherwise well. I’ll make sure to keep checking up on him until he recovers, don’t worry.”
Veritas sighed in relief, another weight off his shoulders. Rond smiled.
“What about you two? Are you well? Is Kakavasha alright?”
‘More than alright. Sunday agreed to help us, and we broke the curse.’
“You…? Veritas, that’s wonderful news!” Rond grinned, setting the spoon down on the table as he leaned over it. “Though I do have to ask – if you’re free to come and go now, why are we talking like this, instead of in person?”
‘I…’ Veritas paused, unsure. Why was his first instinct to contact Rond through astral projection? Why didn’t he even try stepping through the main gate?
‘I wanted to make sure Wood didn’t steal my ability to do magic,’ he finally admitted. ‘And there are still things to take care of in the castle.’
“Of course, of course…” Rond sighed, though he looked pleased. He was quiet for a moment before eventually smiling. “Veritas… I am so proud of you.”
‘Doctor…?’ Where did that come from?
“I don’t think I say it enough, but it is true. I am. So – take as much time as you need to settle your matters there. I’ll be waiting here patiently.”
***
After yesterday’s rainstorm, the path leading towards the iron gate was iced over, smooth and slippery. Veritas walked cautiously, carefully placing his steps one before the other as the gate loomed closer and closer. It was slow going – but he had to do it.
He was alone; Kakavasha had refused to come with him. If I step outside of this gate again, I am never coming back, he’d said. Veritas did not hold it against him – but in the crisp silence of early afternoon, he still found himself feeling lonely as he trudged down the path.
At last – he leaned his hand on one of the iron bars. Like a prison gate, he thought, then chuckled to himself. I can’t believe it took me over a month to think of that. Probably not the intention of whoever had constructed the castle, but for a time, it was a prison – for Kakavasha, for Topaz, and, of course, for Veritas himself. But not any longer.
The gate was open. It made logical sense; the people of Asdana Vale didn’t bother to close it when they fled. But it felt fitting, too. The only thing holding Veritas back now was his own reluctance to take another step.
He scoffed at himself. Raised his foot. Placed it past the invisible line that marked the end of the castle grounds.
Nothing happened. Veritas’s other foot joined the first as he took a step. Then another. And another. And one more.
He was now three steps away from the castle gates. The same distance he’d managed to run on that first day, when pain seized him and forced him to the ground. No pain now; no tug at his heart, nothing forcing him to stop as he took yet another step.
Veritas took a deep breath. The air here… tasted the same as on the other side of the gate. He laughed at himself; what did he expect? And yet – and yet, a sense of glee filled him as he stood there, watching the treeline and the sky above.
“There’s no difference now,” he told the forest. “No difference between being in and out of the castle.”
He chuckled to himself – then stopped as a voice replied,
“Indeed, no difference at all, young man.”
Veritas turned his attention to the road. A figure walked towards him – an old, stooped woman clad in a ragged robe. She smiled at Veritas with a gap-toothed grin. Her voice was screechy with age, but Veritas easily recognized the cadence.
How is she here?, he asked himself, tensing up, before recalling - be polite. No matter what she says, be polite.
“Greetings once more, Lady Bonajade,” he said slowly. “Do what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
The woman smiled, her form shimmering and shifting.
The real Jade looked… well, the doll had been a shockingly accurate representation, actually. The demon was tall and slender, with long pink hair, a short blue dress and a matching wide-brimmed hat. Her eyes, purple with slit pupils, were levelled at Veritas with a polite smile. A snake-like familiar coiled itself loosely around her neck like a scarf, seemingly unbothered by the cold as it looked around, its tongue daring out intermittently.
“I seek to congratulate you and our precious gem on breaking the curse, naturally,” Jade said. “Though, of course, my offer of granting you power still stands, should you wish to take it.”
Veritas wanted to snap back at her. Be polite, he reminded himself. Don’t leave her an opening to curse you again.
“I appreciate it,” he said. “But I will have to consider it later.”
“Of course, of course,” she laughed politely – at his attempts to stay civil, or at his insistence on denying her, he wasn’t sure. “Aside from that, I am here on behalf of Lord Diamond. You have something of his in the castle.”
How did they know? Veritas wanted to ask. Had Diamond somehow learned that Wood had been captured without Topaz’s report? Or was Jade aware of Wood’s transgressions all along, and was simply waiting for her own curse to break before bringing the matter up to her superior?
This was a question Veritas would probably never get an answer to. For now, he nodded politely, and showed Jade towards the iron gate.
“Of course. Come on in, please.”
The two walked back to the castle, Veritas careful not to slip on the ice while Jade stepped confidently, unbothered. Kakavasha was waiting by entrance. When he saw who was accompanying Veritas, he froze, his face twisting with fury for a moment before smoothing into something expressionless.
Jade smiled as she stepped into the atrium, the snake’s gaze turning to Kakavasha and Veritas as they followed her in.
“Ah, and here’s our little Kakavasha, back to being himself.”
Kakavasha plastered on the most fake smile Veritas had ever seen on him.
“Lady Jade! What a pleasure to see you again.”
Jade let out a small laugh, then turned her attention up to the corridor atop the stairs. As Veritas followed her gaze, Topaz peeked her head out.
“My lady!” she called from up the stairs. “I knew I could sense you!”
“Of course, dear Topaz.” Jade smiled back. “And I see you already know why I’m here.”
“Yep!” Topaz stepped out of the corridor, dragging Gopher Wood behind her.
It was an almost comical sight, the demon pulling along a man almost two heads taller than her, nearly bending him in half as she tugged him down the stairs. Wood had no coat, and his hands were bound behind his back, but he’d lost the gag somewhere; he sneered at Topaz as he walked. After a few steps, his gaze fell on Veritas.
“Feeling triumphant?” the witch sneered. “Do you think this is the end? Do you think I’m done with you?”
“Oh my…” Jade sighed. “All these years, and still full of that unearned confidence.”
It was only then that Wood noticed Jade in the hall. His step faltered; he stumbled on the final step, only Topaz’s grip keeping him from falling over. He fell silent, his eyes growing wide with fear as his gaze jumped between Jade, Kakavasha and Veritas.
“Lord Diamond sends his regards,” Jade told him.
“Comeuppance is here, you piece of shit,” Kakavasha added.
Veritas said nothing. There were things he could say, memories of the beatdown his body endured still fresh on his mind, but… He did not feel like gloating.
“There you go!” Topaz declared cheerfully as she stopped in front of Jade. Wood was no longer looking at them. Now, he was staring at the floor, his expression hidden.
“Well done.” Jade offered a smile. “Now, it’s time for you to return home as well.”
Topaz stilled for a moment, then nodded. It seemed she, too, had briefly forgotten what being free of the curse meant. Veritas wanted to comment on that, but a sudden hesitation stopped him.
He knew Topaz would be leaving eventually; that she would not be staying here forever. But… he didn’t quite expect that they’d have to say their farewells so soon.
Jade chuckled.
“Any last words for Mr Wood here?”
Veritas shook his head, then looked to Kakavasha. The other man stared at Wood, an indecipherable look in his eyes. He turned to Veritas; whatever he saw caused him to smile wistfully. He shook his head, then glanced to Jade.
“Just get him out of here.”
“As you wish, little Kakavasha,” Jade hummed, and snapped her fingers.
Her snake familiar’s head shot out, biting into Wood’s neck. A moment later, the man slumped in Topaz’s grip, unconscious.
“Just like that?” Veritas muttered, then eyed Jade warily. She gave him a small smile before turning her attention back to Topaz.
“Is there anything you need to fetch before we leave, dear?”
“Just Numby… Numby!” she called. The familiar was at the top of the steps; it descended gingerly, seemingly wary of Jade. As it approached, it stopped for a moment by Veritas’s legs. He crouched down and pet it properly, one last time.
As Numby floated up, hiding from Jade behind Topaz’s back, Veritas stood up and turned to her.
He wasn’t really sure what to say, in truth. One did not bid farewell often in Asdana Vale. Not forever.
“Miss Topaz,” he finally began. “It has been… a pleasure working with you. Perhaps, in the future, we shall meet again.”
“Hopefully under better circumstances, no?” Topaz replied with a wink. “It’s been good to meet you, Veritas Ratio. Enjoy your freedom.”
She turned around.
“You too, Kakavasha. You deserve it.”
For a heartbeat, Kakavasha seemed stunned, blinking. Then, he recovered with a practiced chuckle.
“Sure. Thanks. You make sure to take some time for yourself too. And, no offense, Topaz, but I hope we never get a chance to run into each other like this again.”
Despite his words, he extended his hand. Topaz shook it with a chuckle of her own, then reached up to pet Numby on her back as she turned to the other demon.
“We’re ready to go, Lady Bonajade.”
Jade had been observing the whole exchange with polite amusement, the serpent around her neck looking to and fro between the three of them. Now, it focused its attention on Topaz, even as Jade nodded.
“Wonderful. Let us be off, then.”
The demons left the atrium, Topaz still dragging the unconscious Wood with her. Veritas and Kakavasha watched as the two of them passed through the iron gate and disappeared into the woods.
“And that’s that,” Kakavasha muttered. “Damn. I think I’m actually a little sad she’s gone.”
Veritas nodded without a word, feeling strangely empty. Sure, Topaz was a demon, but…
Hm. He did not expect himself to actually miss her. Or Numby, for that matter. By force of habit, he looked down and around himself, but the familiar was, of course, gone.
“It’s just us, then,” Kakavasha said, walking away and folding his arms. “You good, doctor?”
“Just fine,” he replied, quickly joining Kakavasha. “Are you?”
“Mhm.” Kakavasha exhaled slowly.
Veritas looked at him – really looked at him – and could not help but see the tension in his form.
“He’s gone for good,” he said.
“Wood? Mhm.”
“You’ll never see him again.”
“I know…” Kakavasha relaxed slightly. “I know.”
Veritas hesitated for a moment, unsure if he was reading the room right, but… He stepped in closer. The smaller man leaned into him, not saying a word. Veritas gently put his hands on his arms, rubbing soothing circles into them.
He wasn’t sure how long the two of them stood there in silence. Eventually, they separated and returned up the stairs, walking up to the atrium without a word. Kakavasha collapsed into one of the armchairs. Veritas leaned against the one Topaz usually took.
“You know,” Kakavasha hummed. His eyes were a little red, but his voice was even. “It just occurred to me. Without Topaz, we don’t really have any way to get new food here.”
“What we still have will probably last us weeks,” Veritas replied. “But I had assumed we would not be staying here that long.”
“I know, just…” Kakavasha paused for a moment, his grip on the armrest tightening. “It really is time for us to leave too, isn’t it?”
Veritas nodded. Kakavasha eyed him.
“You’ll miss this place,” he said. Veritas bit his lip, looking away.
“Despite everything, I did…” enjoy my stay here. He couldn’t quite bring himself to finish the sentence, not when he remembered how many bad memories Kakavasha had here.
“It wasn’t all that bad, these last few weeks,” Kakavasha said with a chuckle. “But… I can’t stay here, Veritas. Not now.”
“Of course.”
“I’m not saying we’ll never come back here,” Kakavasha continued. “I mean, this is my castle now… Hey, do you suppose that means I can collect taxes from your townsfolk? I feel like they owe us reparations.”
Veritas laughed.
“I don’t know how they’ll feel about it,” he admitted. “But, it does not really matter. Right now, we can leave whenever you want.”
Kakavasha considered that, looking around the atrium. Eventually, he turned back to Veritas with a smile, and declared,
“Let’s get out of here, then.”
***
No matter how much he might wish otherwise, Veritas would not be able to bring the entire castle library home with him – among other reasons, because the entire castle library was larger than home. And so, the following dawn saw him leaving the castle with a sled he’d found in a storeroom. Piled atop it, among other things, were a dozen or so books he’d agonizingly selected from the whole collection.
Kakavasha walked beside him, a bag slung over his shoulder. He kept looking around, taking in the sights as though he was seeing them for the first time. Veritas felt himself smiling. It was a beautiful day; the clouds gone from the pale blue sky, snow blinding all around. A perfect time to admire the world around them.
As Veritas pulled the sled past the iron gate, intent on continuing onward without stopping, he realized Kakavasha was no longer beside him. He paused and turned back.
Kakavasha stood still, staring at the invisible boundary as though it was an impassable wall. Veritas let go of the sled and approached him, extending a hand over the entrance. He said nothing; only waited for Kakavasha to notice him. Kakavasha did, eventually; his eyes refocusing, the familiar smile playing on his face.
“Ready?” Veritas asked.
Kakavasha gingerly reached out over the boundary and placed his hand in Veritas’s. Veritas did not pull. After a few moments, Kakavasha jumped over the line, colliding with Veritas’s chest.
“And out you are,” Veritas said, slightly breathless from the sudden proximity.
“Yep,” Kakavasha chuckled. He turned around, still pressing himself against Veritas, and took a long look at the castle. Veritas did as well. Tall and dark, still. But no longer foreboding. Simply… forlorn. Awaiting its master’s return.
Kakavasha stood straight and gave the place a vigorous wave.
“Farewell, Castle Stoneheart!”
The two of them did not bother to close the gate as they departed.
***
A few steps into the woods, Kakavasha started chatting. It wasn’t anything serious, or consequential. The weather; the sights around them; the books and foodstuffs Veritas had chosen to take with him. Veritas indulged him in conversation, unable to fight a smile off his face at the sight of Kakavasha so animate, and so, the walk to Asdana Vale took no time at all.
Veritas hurried to the door of his house and knocked. Moments later, it swung open, revealing Rond.
“You’re back!” His teacher grinned. “I see I really did not have to wait long to see you again.”
“Of course,” Veritas scoffed with a smile. He glanced over to Kakavasha, who offered Rond a polite smile. The man nodded to him.
“Come on in, both of you, and let me give you a look-over.”
Veritas almost stepped inside – but a thought made him hesitate.
“I… have you visited Sunday today?” he asked. Rond blinked, confused.
“No, I was going to check up on him in a few hours. Why?”
“I’ll go to him,” Veritas told him. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Rond raised an eyebrow, but nodded. Veritas left his sled by the door and walked away, taking a breath to steady himself. A moment later, Kakavasha caught up to him.
“What’s wrong, doctor?” he asked. Veritas licked his lips.
“I need to talk to Sunday,” he said. “He… should know what happened to his father.”
“Right now?”
Veritas nodded; if he returned home now, Rond wouldn’t let him leave until tomorrow.
The two of them entered Asdana Vale. Once again, Veritas was struck by how small his hometown seemed. There were only a few people milling about right now, as though unsure where to go. As Veritas and Kakavasha walked past them, a few heads turned to take notice – then quickly turned away when they recognized Veritas, too fast for him to try and guess at their emotions. Annoyance, that he was still alive? Or perhaps guilt, that they were nearly party to killing him?
No matter; he ignored them as he approached the door of the presbytery. He raised his hand to knock but – the door was ajar.
Veritas slowly pushed it open, revealing a short corridor. He’d never seen it before, but the priests’ house was obviously more lavish and spacious than any other building in Asdana Vale; though not as much as Veritas’s quarters in the castle.
It was also very much empty.
“Sunday?” Veritas called, walking inside. He could hear Kakavasha follow him, but no response from within the house.
“Sunday, are you in here?” Veritas called again, looking around. “I need to talk to you.”
Sunday’s coat was missing from the hangers in the corridor. Perhaps he had simply stepped outside. Still, a mix of worry and curiosity pushed Veritas onward until he walked into the dining room – and paused at what he saw there.
Past the central table, a portion of the wall had been pulled open like a door, revealing a metal safe almost as tall as Veritas’s waist. That safe was open as well, revealing two shelves, the bigger one filled with money. Silver and gold bonds were piled up, more than Veritas had ever seen in Asdana Vale.
“What is this?” he muttered, kneeling before the safe.
He ignored the money for now and focused on the upper shelf. Dozens of letters were piled up there. He picked one at random and unfolded it, trying to read the unfamiliar handwriting.
A few words in, his breath caught. This… this was a request to curse someone with a deadly illness, with a lump sum of gold bonds as payment. He picked up another letter. A request to make sure someone’s marriage would fail, paid in silver. Another letter, then another, and another. All of them followed the same pattern.
“So that’s why he was doing all this,” Veritas whispered.
“What do you mean?” Kakavasha asked from behind him, sounding distracted.
“Wood,” Veritas told him. “It seems that whenever trade caravans came here, they were bringing him letters with requests for his services. He was selling curses to the wealthy.”
He glanced at the piles of money again.
“I just don’t understand why,” he said. “What does he need all this money for?”
“Maybe he was saving for a peaceful retirement,” Kakavasha said. “A fancy manor on the coast or something. I mean, he wouldn’t be able to keep this hustle up forever. Sunday would die eventually and then what? He adopts another victim?”
Veritas shuddered, glad that Wood was beyond saving at this point, and dropped the letter in his hands. He stood up, looking around.
“Speaking of which, where is Sunday?”
He turned to Kakavasha to find the man holding a piece of paper in his hands.
“This was on the table,” he said, passing it to Veritas. “You might want to read it.”
Veritas unfolded the paper. It was yet another letter – but this time, he could recognize the handwriting.
I must convey my apologies.
I am well aware that I should stay here, and lead the flock that has been entrusted to me. Yet what I saw – what I heard and witnessed – in Castle Stoneheart has left me shaken.
A man we’ve dubbed a heretic saved my life, and in turn, his life was saved by a ‘treacherous’ Avgin. A demon rescued them both from brink of death of her own volition, demanding nothing in return. And the man I believed to be the pinnacle of morality turned out to be the vilest monster of them all.
I cannot in good faith continue to lead you as your priest. I cannot continue to follow in Father’s footsteps, for I find myself questioning all he ever told me. I need answers, and I fear I will not find them in Asdana Vale.
I confess with shame that I cannot face you as I am right now. By the time anyone finds this letter, I will have already left. I will not tell you where I’m going. Not because I distrust you, but because I do not yet know myself.
- Sunday
Veritas exhaled slowly, tense.
“Running away is quite a drastic step to take,” Kakavasha hummed, “but I’ll be honest with you, I’d probably do the same in his place. I just hope he took some of that money with him when he left; he’s not gonna get far without it.”
Veritas hummed in agreement, his fingers tightly gripping the edges of the letter. He left. Sunday left. It did not sound quite real – but then, neither did Robin’s departure half a year ago. And yet, both siblings had now fled Asdana Vale, perhaps forever.
“Hopefully they’ll meet again out there,” Veritas whispered, rereading the last paragraph.
Clearly, Sunday was in well enough condition to write, pack supplies and leave without anyone stumbling upon his unconscious body. But still, Veritas couldn’t help but worry. A part of him wanted to run out right now and chase after Sunday but… When did Sunday leave? How far had he gone, at this point? And besides…
Sunday did not want to say goodbye to anyone; Sunday wanted his departure to go unnoticed. He should be allowed to do as he wanted for once, even if it meant vanishing in the dead of night.
Veritas placed the letter back on the table and whispered,
“I hope your Ena keeps you safe.”
***
When Veritas awoke the next morning, for a moment he didn’t know where he was. He opened his eyes, glanced up at the plain wooden ceiling and the shuttered window – the window was on the wrong side from what he’d gotten used to. This was his home, in Asdana Vale.
A strange thought flickered through his mind for a moment – did I astral project again? Absurd; he knew where he was, of course. Veritas scoffed at himself, sitting up in bed as he peered through the shutters. It was still early, the sky bathed in rosy pre-dawn gloom. Too early to be awake, even for him. Then why had he woken up…? He glanced to the side, where Kakavasha should’ve been sleeping beside him – and found the spot empty. Ah.
There was nowhere for Kakavasha to be hiding within the house, of course. Veritas got out of bed, cautiously made sure that doctor Rond was still sleeping, then dressed and stepped outside. As he expected, he found footsteps imprinted in the snow. They led towards the forest. Veritas followed, curious.
The trail led him into the shadowed woods. In the dark, something was glowing in the distance; a familiar shade of blue. Veritas gaped, not quite believing his own eyes, and rushed forward, running until he found himself on the edge of a clearing.
Hovering above the ground was the familiar form of Aventurine.
Am I still sleeping? Is this a nightmare?
Veritas must’ve let out a gasp; must’ve made some sound to announce his arrival, because a moment later, Aventurine turned to face him. The man landed on the ground, and his silhouette shimmered. A moment later, Kakavasha emerged from fuzzy air, alarm on his face.
“Veritas? Are you alright?”
He walked up and gripped Veritas’s hand in his. Veritas shook his head. I am awake. Somehow, this is real.
“What was that?!” he asked. “I just saw you turn back into…?”
“Right. Right. I can explain, doctor! Don’t worry!” Kakavasha took a deep breath. “So. Jade spoke to me in my dream tonight.”
For a second, Veritas could only stare at him, processing.
“She did?” he asked, then winced; stupid question. He quickly added, “What did she want from you?”
“Nothing, really.” Kakavasha squeezed Veritas’s hand, glancing aside. “She said that Diamond had… resolved the matter with Wood, and he wanted to compensate me for the ‘mix-up with the curse’, and so I get to keep the other form. Except, now I can switch in and out of it at will, whenever I want. I… didn’t mean to scare you like this. I just wanted to test it out before I told you.”
Veritas considered it for a moment. He ran his free hand along Kakavasha’s jaw.
“You do realize she could’ve lied to you,” he said. “For all you knew, it would not be possible for you to turn back.”
“I did consider that!” Aventurine said. Veritas only raised his eyebrow, unconvinced, but eventually shook his head.
“I am glad that wasn’t the case, but… I suspect this won’t be the last you’ll see of the Cornerstone Court demons,” he sighed. “I do not like that they have such access to you.”
“Me neither,” Kakavasha admitted. “But until we find a way to cut that connection, there’s not much I can do about it, so might as well use it for our benefit, right?”
There had to be something – some way to alter the Ward of Flowing Water to turn it into a wearable protective measure, or some ritual to cut whatever linked Kakavasha to the demons past the Interastral Veil, or…
“Hey, doctor.” Kakavasha tilted his head, resting it against Veritas’s hand. “I can hear the cogs in your head spinning. Don’t worry about it for now. I mean, that form does have its advantages, you know? I admit, I did miss flying a little.”
Veritas exhaled slowly, still slightly shaken. But, Kakavasha didn’t look any worse for wear…
“If you say so,” he finally agreed.
Kakavasha winked at him.
“Say, remember that time I took you flying over the courtyard?”
“Obviously,” Veritas chuckled. “How could I possibly forget?”
“Of course, of course… So, wanna do it again? We’ll see how far up we can go.”
He seemed outright excited about it, and how could Veritas possibly say no to that smile?
“Sure.”
Kakavasha’s form shimmered again. A heartbeat later, Veritas found himself swept into his clawed grip as the ground vanished below him. Wind rushed past him, and he clutched at the lapels of Kakavasha’s coat, pressing his face to his chest. Veritas was not particularly afraid of falling, but… this felt safer. And rather pleasant.
Too soon, their ascent stopped.
“I feel like this is high enough, don’t you think… Hey, doctor. Are you looking?”
Veritas ignored the amusement in Kakavasha’s voice as he slowly pried himself away from his chest and looked around. His breath caught.
The two of them hung alone in the air, surrounded by nothing but air and distant clouds, the sky a deep shade of blue he’d never seen before. It was quiet; even the wind seemed still. The valley that had thus far been Veritas’s whole world spread below him, snow-capped forests climbing up to bare mountain peaks and beyond that – beyond that was everything else.
Flatlands and forests, tiny towns and bustling cities, thin trails of smoke coming from dozens of chimneys surrounded by square grids of fields. He looked outward, further, further still, to the foreboding peaks of the lost Melustanin in the east, and the shimmering waters of the Abundant Sea in the west, where he could see, hazily, a miniature city of spires at the coast – Sea Station? And it was just one of many sights out there, distant, mythical places he’d only ever read of before now all within his sight. The world beyond the valley felt like a treasure box filled with precious jewels wherever he looked.
Veritas’s gaze returned closer, to a spot just past the mountains, where, surrounded by farmlands, a city sprawled across the plain. Veritas Prime. He gently pried one hand away from Kakavasha’s coat and reached out, imagining himself touching the city, imagining himself stepping onto its streets…
“So far, yet so close,” he whispered. Kakavasha rested his head atop Veritas’s.
“Do you want to go there?”
“I want to go everywhere,” he admitted. “See everything.”
Kakavasha hummed softly.
“We can do that,” he said. “We could go wherever we want, now.”
Veritas exhaled softly, glancing up at Kakavasha’s mask. He grabbed the coat again, though he didn’t have to; Kakavasha’s arms were wrapped around him so tightly, there was no risk of slipping out.
“Is there anywhere you want to go, Kakavasha?” Veritas asked. “Do you want us to search for your people while we travel?”
“Well, we can ask about them,” Kakavasha replied, “but I don’t know where they could be, now. Maybe they’re nowhere. Maybe they met their end somewhere…”
“Let’s not assume the worst,” Veritas interrupted him. “They’re out there, and we can find them.”
Kakavasha stared at him for a moment, before giving a silent nod. Veritas replied an encouraging smile, then started thinking about the logistics.
“We can’t really travel like this, though,” he considered. “Flying, I mean. Not unless you want to become a person of interest for every genius noble in the country.”
“I’d rather pass on that, yes,” Kakavasha chuckled. “So, what do you say, doctor? How do we elope from Asdana Vale?”
“We are not eloping,” Veritas quickly replied, feeling his face go red from the mental image. “I will inform doctor Rond of our departure appropriately early.”
Kakavasha chuckled at that.
“Of course, of course. But still…?”
Veritas exhaled softly.
“Sooner or later, a merchant caravan will visit,” he said. “They pass by every other week. Without Gopher Wood running interference, the story of what happened here will get out soon. And from there, it will spread… And eventually, catch the attention of someone in power.”
“Mhm… the tax collectors, if no-one else,” Kakavasha agreed. “And probably a royal prosecutor or two shortly after.”
Veritas sighed.
“I would very much rather avoid getting tangled up in an investigation,” he admitted. Kakavasha laughed.
“Hey, so would I!” he said. “So, how about when the first merchant caravan comes in, we hitch a ride and head to Veritas Prime?”
Veritas licked his lips, a sudden cold running along his limbs. For years now, he’d been yearning to leave Asdana Vale – but now? Now they had a timeline, a strict one. A few days, and Veritas’s life would irrevocably change once again.
He looked to Kakavasha. The other man hugged him closer, running a hand through his hair.
“We’ll be fine,” he promised. “It’s been a while since I travelled with the caravan, but I still remember the lay of the land. And you… you’re a Nousian mage, Veritas. Self-taught, not a genius noble, yet absolutely brilliant… A skill like yours can open a lot of doors out there. We’ll both do just fine.”
Veritas’s breath hitched. He reached up and pressed a kiss to the mask. We’ll both do just fine.
“Very well,” he said. “We leave with the next caravan.”
***
Five days later, Veritas stood in the middle of his home, Rond’s arms crushing him as his teacher held him in a tight hug.
“You two take care of each other, alright?” the older man was saying.
“Of course, teacher.” Veritas gently hugged him back.
“Take regular breaks.”
“Of course, teacher.”
“If you commit any crimes, don’t let anyone catch you.”
“Of course- what?” Veritas nearly choked. Rond looked up at him with a teasing grin and moved back, gently patting Veritas on the arm as he did so.
“Write home often.”
“Of course I will,” Veritas muttered past the sudden lump in his throat. “I won’t forget you just because I’ll be living elsewhere.”
“Good; good.” Rond still smiled, though his eyes were a little glassy. “Looking forward to hearing all about how you’ve driven all your teachers mad and became Veritas Prime’s most accomplished graduate.”
Veritas laughed, shaking his head. With one last look around his home, he picked up his bag and turned to Kakavasha. The other man was engaged in a staring contest with Rond; as Veritas watched the two of them, Rond raised two fingers, pointed them at his eyes, then at Kakavasha’s face. Kakavasha responded with a mock salute.
Veritas raised an eyebrow, but whatever understanding the two of them had found, he was not privy to it. Kakavasha turned to him with a smile.
“Ready?”
Veritas nodded, not quite trusting himself to speak just yet.
The two of them walked through the quiet town. The people of Asdana Vale spent the last few days going through the motions – waking up, praying, working. But Veritas did not miss the trepidation in the air, the sense of listlessness. What would become of it, he did not know. But that was no longer his problem.
At the end of the village, on the road leading out of the valley, stood his goal: the wagon train that had arrived in town three days prior. It was an unusual one – three red wagons tied together, hitched to a single, massive black horse. The strangest, however, was the driver. The little fey beast, currently busy feeding the horse, defied clear categorization; it was small and had two floppy ears like a rabbit, yet walked on two legs and wore an oversized coat.
Veritas tore his attention away from this bizarre sight and turned it towards the caravan’s two human occupants.
***
“We’re the Nameless,” the elegant red-haired woman had introduced herself three days ago. “Followers of Akivili the Trailblaze. Though right now, we’re here on behalf of Sea Station.”
“The capital?” Veritas asked, folding his arms. So; we didn’t manage to avoid an investigation after all. “Why?”
The woman smiled, as though she could recognize his concern and sought to reassure him.
“You see, a while back, a wandering troubadour arrived in the capital…”
It was Robin; of course it was. Four months prior, she came to Sea Station to report Gopher Wood’s suspicious behaviour to the Archbishop of the Church of Ena – but when she was nearly assassinated afterwards, she took things to lay authorities and then kept escalating the matter, until eventually it reached the attention of the Queen’s Seneschal. The Lady Seneschal, in turn, started her own investigation, only to discover a genuine conspiracy wherein over a dozen powerful genius nobles and high-ranking priests were paying Wood to curse their enemies.
There was a flurry of arrests and accusations, ironclad reputations ruined, and now, a massive trial in the works. It was, apparently, the biggest scandal Sea Station had seen in years.
“Miss Robin is in protective custody at the moment, out of concern for her safety as a major witness,” the red-haired woman finished her explanation, “Seneschal Asta has her hands full, so she’s asked us to investigate Gopher Wood’s current whereabouts – which is why we’re here.”
She looked at Veritas with obvious expectation in her eyes. He sighed and waved at her to follow him to the presbytery.
“You’re a few days too late,” he told her. “But sure, investigate to your heart’s content.”
***
Now, Veritas took a deep breath as he once more approached the Nameless’ wagon train. The red-haired woman was talking to her companion, a bespectacled man who’d spent much of his free time making sketches of the town in his notebook. Now, he looked up from where he was sitting on the wagon’s stairs, and nodded towards Veritas.
“Mr Ratio, Mr Kakavasha,” he said. “What brings you here?”
Veritas hesitated for a moment; he was yet to bring the topic up. He’d spent the last three days worrying that in the course of their investigation, the two Nameless would learn a little too much about what part him and Kakavasha had played in the whole matter.
Kakavasha, however, had no such qualms.
“We’ve heard you’re departing Asdana Vale today,” he said. “Will you perhaps be going through Veritas Prime?”
“We will,” the man replied. “We’re ultimately heading all the way back to Sea Station to deliver the evidence. But we’ll be stopping by Veritas Prime to pass a message to the Lady Seneschal through their local mages.”
“How much would it cost us to hitch a ride with you there?” Kakavasha asked. The man shook his head and glanced up at the woman, who smiled at them.
“Nothing at all,” she said with a casual wave. “The Trailblaze teaches that all must be free to travel; it would go against our principles to demand payment for our services. Though… If you do feel the need to compensate us somehow, we should very much like to hear your story once we’re on our way.”
Kakavasha and Veritas glanced at each other, unspoken understanding passing between them – they would tell the Nameless a very redacted version of the tale.
“Very well,” Veritas told the woman. “When are you leaving?”
“In a few minutes,” she replied. “We’re just organizing our notes before setting off.”
“The last wagon is unoccupied at the moment,” the man added. “You’re welcome to it.”
Veritas nodded, the prospect of leaving Asdana Vale becoming suddenly, rapidly real.
“Thank you,” he managed.
Past the initial clutter, the back wagon turned out to be rather cozy, with tapestries on the walls and two hammocks in lieu of beds. Veritas stuffed his and Kakavasha’s bags under the hammocks, and lingered for a moment. He’d brought several books and manuals with him – including his notes on bloodless demon summoning. Since his last meeting with Jade, he’d been second-guessing whether he really did want to share those notes with anyone, but for now, he’d kept them, wrapped safely in nondescript fabric at the bottom of Kakavasha’s bag.
“Veritas,” Kakavasha called him. “We’re departing. Come take a look!”
Veritas stood up, then felt it; the wagon beginning to shake as the wheels started rolling. It’s happening. It’s actually happening. He turned towards the open back of the wagon. Kakavasha was sitting there, his legs hanging outside, half-turned towards him. He beckoned Veritas over with a smile.
Veritas joined him, a little unsteady in the moving wagon; Kakavasha held him safe until Veritas sat besides him. Before him, Asdana Vale was becoming more and more distant, the buildings growing smaller, the church disappearing behind the trees.
And then, just like that, he could no longer see it.
Veritas exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
“Farewell, Asdana Vale,” he whispered.
Kakavasha pulled him closer with a hum.
“We’ll be fine, my dear doctor,” he said. “The whole world is waiting for us.”
Veritas leaned against him and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.
“I know.”
They stayed like that, together, as the wagon train took them towards their new life.