Chapter 17: Circus of Malice

"I am called Sirius Romanee-Conti."

The crowd in the tent could only look upon the bandaged form of Sirius in a stunned silence. Her voice was ear piercing yet oddly entrancing, however, that wasn't why nobody would move. No one would dare remove their eyes from a life-threatening enemy.

"Huh?"

"What did that person just say?"

"The Witch Cult, here… of all places."

The crowd slowly began to grasp the situation that lay before them. Instead of taking any sort of action everyone simply questioned the people near them, doubting what they heard. I looked upon the performance area in shock as Sirius was the last person I was expecting to appear. I felt just as captivated as everyone else as I couldn't bear to remove my eyes from her.

"Alright, that's enough!"

Her shrill voice penetrated through the murmurs of the crowd in a dry tone. Her voice permeated the tent and could probably captivate the whole city if she wished. She clapped her hands before continuing.

"Everyone took 28 seconds to fall quiet. I thank you for your attention. It makes me very happy, in addition..."

Sirius kept her arms crossed the entire time as her body started shaking. Her chains dangling around and slapping against the ground made a low thumping noise similar to a heartbeat.

"You and you there. You three as well. I'm really sorry, but please don't get angry. I'm very deeply sorry to be taking your time away from that show you've been enjoying until now. I promise I'll try not to take up too much of your time."

She twisted her body around, as if she was actually complaining. I looked at each of the people she pointed out and each of them looked like they were about to act against her. She was warning them not to try anything.

"Ok, thank you. It looks like everyone's calmed down a bit. I understand you're all restless to see the rest of the show, but I really need this sliver of time. I know. I know. Hearing a name, 'Witch Cult,' doesn't invoke a good image, right? I don't plan on anything too special. The reason I'm here today is to confirm something."

"Confirm something?"

"I'm sorry, but please try not to speak so much. My head isn't very good, so if everyone starts speaking at the same time, I'll feel troubled. Then I'll become very sad. That's not good, is it? If there's something bothering you, anything, please let me know. I'm taking up your time, so it's only fair that I answer your questions. I feel guilty about it, so no matter what it is I'll answer earnestly."

Sirius spoke in an intimate and rational manner from the start to finish of her speech. There was something about it that was very off-putting to me. However, even at Sirius's request not a single person lifted their hand.

"Can I ask something?" I raised my hand and a sudden wave of surprise hit the crowd at once. Even I felt surprised by my own actions.

"Yes, yes please do. Thank you. Huh? Deneb? What're you doing here? Oh! I'm sorry, but this demonstration isn't for you. I hope you'll understand why. Anyway, what do you want to know?"

The emotions that were running through me felt like they suddenly cut off. I looked around myself to see the crowd eagerly waiting for me to speak. That same eagerness that I felt just a moment ago.

"What's at the end of that chain?"

"Oh this? Ah yes! I was just getting to that, I'm sorry. I hope you won't mind it too much. I know how you dislike this sort of thing. I'm really sorry. I wouldn't want to waste my compatriots time. Well… you asked what's at the end of this chain, yes?"

"...Um, yeah I'd like to know."

The chain in reference was connected to something in the darkness of the other end of the performance area. It ran from there all the way to Sirius's arm and wrapped around. She rattled her chains a bit before using her free arm to begin dragging whatever was on the other end onto the performance area.

"A child?"

There was a child wrapped tightly bound by her chain; the hook on the end would occasionally dig into the kid's ankle. A small stream of blood dripped down the kid's foot. Sirius kept pulling the chain until the child was right next to her.

"Mm… mhm… mm!"

The kid's mouth was gagged by the chain with more blood trickling down his cheeks from the corners of his mouth. His neck and above were free allowing him to wave his head around. He wiggled his head back and forth as if desperately pleading for something. The only peculiar thing about the child was his lack of tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm sure that wasn't the most comfortable way to bring you out. So, please. Forgive me. First there's something I need to say before I continue. I know you're all busy, so let's get down to business. I'd like to affirm something."

"What do you want to affirm?" I responded.

"Yeah! Hurry up and tell us!"

"I want to see the next act already!"

My comment seemed to strike something in the crowd causing them to start yelling out. One person in the crowd started laughing while pointing at Sirius. Like a wave the laughter spread as an infectious disease the crowd's roars grew. Sirius lost the atmosphere and put a hand to her head. If she could even have an expression it would be troubled.

"Sorry, I'm sorry. Really very sorry. I know you all are busy. I will finish my speech quickly, so please just stay for a while."

"Tell us!"

"Hurry up!"

"Mmmm! Mhgm!"

"Okay! Okay! I'll say it now. The matter I've come to affirm is simply. Very very simple. To put it as bluntly as possible, there's something I want to affirm about Love. Ah! How embarrassing."

Sirius put her hand over her mouth as if she was blushing. If the bandages weren't there I'm sure she'd actually would be blushing. The crowd burst into laughter once again while I started to feel a menacing aura emanating from the stage.

"I did expect to be laughed at, it still makes me feel troubled. Thank you for listening. Thank you, and I have a request. I think if everyone just stays here for a little while longer I can affirm that Love. Gosh. I'm sorry, I can say some unruly things at times."

Sirius stumbled over her words as she rubbed her chains together creating that sickening noise once again. The crowd, however, found her display loveable with some shouting out, "Is that it?"

"Really? Thank you. Thank you very much. I'm sorry. This world is so gentle. So full of love and tenderness. Whenever I understand this, I can't help but want to express gratitude. People being able to understand each other and care for one another. Perhaps I speak with 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry' to confirm that."

"What's next, Sirius?"

"I'm sorry to keep you all waiting. I'm sure you've been wondering why I have this man here. He's very brave as you can see. Not shedding a single tear. Please, everyone applaud his bravery."

"Mmm! Mmgh!"

The crowd erupted into an applause at Sirius's behest.

"That's a man for you!"

"Now that's a true Vollachian!"

"Alright, that's enough, everybody! Ah! Vollachian's are so gentle and kind. Is that right, Tiga?"

The boy, named Tiga, who was bound by chains, looked around the room seemingly searching for someone who wasn't under Sirius's enchantment. Sirius rubbed his head gently with her free hand as she held him up. Tiga, wiggled his bound body trying to escape from her inhuman grasp. The crowd found the sight humorous, and knowing it'd demean the boy, began laughing.

"Excellent. Tiga here is a ten-year-old boy. Who travels with this troupe of wandering entertainers. His family name is Rauleon, so his full name is Tiga Rauleon."

"Mmph! MMPH!"

"He's an orphan from Kararagi who was abandoned by his parents to live as a hyena. When he was little the ringleader of this circus adopted him and gave him his name. Isn't that wonderful? You could say that the ringleader here is his father then. The ringleader is a gentle man who always encourages Tiga to do his best everyday. For both himself and his fellow entertainers. He would often sneak out at night to go explore the area's his merry troupe would travel. Tiga has been all over the world with his troupe. Kararagi, Lugunica, Vollachia, even Gusteko. His dream is to meet a girl he can fall in love with. I do hope everyone here can support our little Tiga's feelings. It's very commendable for a child of his age to desire something so pure. Although there may be people who would laugh at such a childish dream, I wouldn't do so at all. Who could laugh at such a manly spirit? I believe the ringleader of this circus feels the same way. He's the one that raised this fine young man, after all. He gives Tiga his heartfelt support every day in his quest for love. While girl's may be closer to the kind of Love I wish to affirm, my heart was simply impressed by Tiga's pleas. Sorry, I'm not a strong willed person. I'm sorry, really sorry. So I changed my mind… ah, ah, although temperamental is my usual attitude. When I speak of Love I speak whole heartedly. Oh how annoying. I'm embarrassed. Really, my business isn't what's important here. We should keep focussing on Tiga. Since the Love he seeks is so far away it greatly pains me to see such feelings go unnoticed. So, I decided to respect that and help him. Thanks, and, I'm sorry. I've finished talking in a way that's convenient for everyone."

"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"

Listening to Sirius's speech the crowd seemed to wholeheartedly agree with her. His bravery was nothing to scoff at. Here in Vollachia where strength is the only thing that matters he was simply the strongest of them all.

"You're the best, Tiga!"

"You're stronger than any Vollachian I've met!"

"The Empire's pride!"

The audience around me cheered out and praised the child that tried to squirm away from Sirius. The scene of praising one boy's dedication and courage, but also a scene that showed the kindness of humanity.

"Ah… thank you, thank you, thank you! Ah, amazing, this is amazing! I believe we all understand now. I knew everyone would praise Tiga's courage. Because, he demonstrated the will of Love with it! If you know him, you'll love him. Because of this mutual understanding, everyone now has an in-depth understanding of each other's LOVE!"

"Sirius! Thank you!"

"We love you, Tiga!"

Sirius's eyes widened as she began to shed tears onto her bandages. I looked around myself to see everyone responding in a symphony of tears and laughter.

"Our inability to understand one another creates barriers between us. Our minds being unable to empathize leads to hostility. Our inability to reach conclusions has us giving up on one another. That's so so so so heartbreaking! It's a tragedy. But now, everyone, are you sad? Do you feel heartbroken?"

"No! None of us feel that way!"

"Thank you! So, do you feel happy? Does everyone feel happy?"

"Yes! I've never felt this happy before in my life! Thank you, Sirius! Thank you, Tiga!"

A whirlpool of applause erupted around me and the sense of dread I felt worsened. Not knowing what was to come next began to eat at me. I activated Future Sight and shifted the Focus Point ahead an entire minute. The ache in my head began suddenly, but there was no time for that. Not knowing what came next was a far more terrifying option.

The boy loosens the chain around his mouth.

"Gu, Gah! Wake up, save...! Please, ...stop! Hel… hk!"

"I want to commend your courage, your love, Tiga! Please look around. Everyone, so many are affirming your feelings! Ah, thank you. I'm sorry, Tiga. I just want to affirm this scene. Ahhhhh, ahhhhhh, the world is so gentle!"

Sirius pulled Tiga close into a tight hug. The hook pressed itself deeper into his ankle causing him to let out a pained moan. A tear still never once shed from his eyes.

"There! There it is! We have Love. It existed here. Everyone's heart has become one, and in a scene of joy. We don't need tragedy. We are tired of crying in this world. No one wants a world that saddens them. If our hearts wish to connect, then they should do so through the sharing of joy and happiness! Whether it be tragedy! Or Wrath! We don't need any of it!"

"That's right! Tragedies, pain, wrath, we don't want any of it!"

"Ah, that forbidden Wrath that forces hearts to tremble, so! Rage, htat grand passion! If that passionate sin is so deeply rooted in our hearts, if we are able to unroot it, then we should fill it with joy!"

Sirius cried out loudly, and lifted Tiga in the air. She set him down in front of her and took a step back.

"Please give! Thunderous applause!"

Tiga bursts into flames, and the crowd applauds as they suffer his fate.

If I didn't move now I'd be caught in the raging inferno. I couldn't let her finish her show after hearing that speech. If he's an orphan, then there's something I must confirm.

"Ah, the world is-!"

"WAIT!" I shouted out. The crowd's applause stopped as they turned their heads towards me. The joy that once filled them was replaced by something bordering contempt.

"I'm sorry. Is something wrong? Is this affirmation not enough? I'm terribly sorry Deneb, but I can't allow you to experience Love. I pray that one day you may be able to experience this gentle world the same way I can. Thank you, and I'm sorry."

"I have a question for Tiga!"

"I'm sorry, but I really need to finish affirming. I'm really sorry. I don't want to waste their time any longer."

"Yeah!"

"The hell's wrong with you kid?"

"Tiga, do you have a divine protection!?"

Tiga nodded in response to my question. While trying to yell out 'save me' again. That was all I needed to know. I got up from my seat and rushed to Sirius. Hopping over the fence that separated the crowd from the stage I stood before Sirius.

"Why are you so angry?"

"I wouldn't call it anger. More so, that I need him."

"Oh, my. I'm sorry. It seems we have a conflict of interests. I'm so sorry. I really don't want to inconvenience you like this."

Those words of apology spoken to me felt empty. They were most certainly meaningless. I don't believe for a second that she cares about inconveniencing me. That in itself, is a form of pride which irritated me.

"Well then hand him over."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I hope you'll understand. You see, the people here almost became one before you interrupted. I'm sure they'd agree that we should finish up here quickly."

"That's right!"

"Get that stupid brat out of here."

"Hand him over Sirius. I won't ask again."

Sirius unwrapped her chains from her right arm.

"Ah… ah… This gentle world."

She whips her chain at me.