Chapter Five: A Rose E'er Blooming
Critic kept staring at the rose, trying not to show how much he was hurting. His chest hitched, and he clenched his fists hard enough to draw blood. Layla wasn't saying a word, but Critic could still feel her hand resting lightly on his back.
He was so tired of everything. Tired of not knowing what happened to Rob. Tired of having to carry the burden of his insane twin. Tired of reliving the same arguments in his head over and over. "I...I.."
Layla hesitated for a second, then put her arm around him. Critic turned to face her, and the honest sympathy and compassion in her eyes overwhelmed him. He fell forward, sobbing harder than he ever had in his life. It was as if all his emotions of the past eight years were coming out in a flood. Layla held him, letting his tears soak her shirt.
It seemed like hours had passed when Critic finally stopped. His eyes were red and swollen, his chest hurt, and he was exhausted. But for the first time in a very long time, the feeling of being smothered was gone.
"Critic, I'm sorry. If I had known..." Layla began, and Critic shook his head.
"No, don't apologize. I kept everything bottled up for so long, and after I became a Disciple, it was just easier to push my emotions even further away. You can't really be an efficient killer if you're sobbing over your kills."
Layla half-smiled. "I thought Disciples didn't think of themselves as killers, just 'Keepers of the Natural Order.'" Critic glared at her, and she sighed. "Sorry, bad choice of words. I sometimes tend to act before I think."
Critic chuckled. "Me and thee, Layla. I guess we're more alike than I thought. Rob was always the most level headed of the three of us." He looked down at his folded hands, speaking in a low voice. " My brother and I were always getting in trouble and Rob was there getting us out. He took care of us after our parents died in a Duel. His Skill was Calming Spells and healing. He was my idol, and if he knew what I've become, he'd hate me."
Layla rubbed his back. "I don't know your brother, but I don't think he would hate you. Necros aren't exactly the most stable of people, right?"
"Yeah, but Rob...he looked for the good in everyone. What my Boss didn't tell me was that not all Necros are the same. While some are raising the dead for their own gain, there's some that are just trying to bring back their loved ones. I've had Necros throw themselves over the bodies of their Ghouls and beg me to let them live. And all the while the Ghouls are trying to bite chunks out of their flesh." He looked over at her. "Ghouls are just shells of what they used to be. They have no memory of their past lives." He took a deep breath, remembering. "My very first job was a little girl that had died in a car crash. The father couldn't handle it, and cast the Revival Spell. The funny thing is, he was a low-class Mage, never done anything larger than a simple transfiguration. But Death's Law is immutable. Once dead, that's it. It doesn't matter how young or old you are, there's no returning and no second chances. I had to shoot a six year old girl in the head. And there's no mercy for those that cast the Spell, no matter if it's the only time they will ever use it. I got blind drunk after that job, and was ready to just quit right then and there."
"Why didn't you?"
"I don't know. I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could actually handle whatever was thrown at me. Over the years, I've learned to shut down while I'm working. But sometimes it can be very nice to have a cousin that runs a bar."
Layla gave him a one armed hug, and he leaned into it, sighing. There was a long, comfortable silence that was broken by the phone ringing. Critic stood and went to answer it. "Hello?"
Dominic's voice came over the line, sounding rather cheerful. "Douglas, I was wondering if perhaps you could come over to the Palace for a moment? I've got something very important to tell you."
Critic immediately felt his hackles rise. Dominic was never this peppy. At most, he could be drily humorous. Something was seriously wrong. "Of course, Dominic. I'll be there as soon as I can. Should I bring anything?"
"No, no need. I'm sure things will be well looked after." Dominic hung up, and Critic placed the phone back in the cradle, then looked over his shoulder at Layla.
"How powerful are your Protective Spells?"
"Pretty strong, why?"
He ran his hands through his hair. "Good. I've got to go to the Pixel Palace. Once I'm gone, cast your Spell. It should reinforce the Wards I've already got up. And don't let anyone in until I get back."
"How will I know it's you?"
"The Wards won't let anyone else in but me. I should be back soon. I hope." He slipped his gun in his pocket and headed for the door. "Lock this door behind me." Layla nodded, and he headed out.
Dominic kept cutting glances towards the door, trying not to show the person sitting at the bar how utterly scared he was. "He...he should be along soon enough."
"I'm so happy to hear that. Won't it be wonderful, a reunion with my dear twin, and our cousin here to witness the happy moment."
"Y...yes, quite wonderful, but you gave your Word that..."
Dominic felt his blood turn to ice as Guy smiled benignly at him. "Dominic, I would not violate Neutrality for all the world!" He turned as the bell above the door rang, and Critic came in.
"Dominic, what...oh my fucking god." Critic stopped short, and Guy grinned at him.
"Why Doug, I must say, you're looking like shit." Critic kept staring, and Guy laughed. "Now I know what you're thinking. 'Why, it's my long lost twin brother, and doesn't he just look so very handsome?' Why yes. Yes I am. Don't I get a greeting? A hello, a 'where have you been for the past decade', anything?"
Critic couldn't speak. He kept staring at Guy, trying not to shake at the Dark Aura he could feel coming off his twin in waves. "G..How...what...?"
Guy smiled. "Oh, that would take far too long to explain properly. I've got something to show you." He reached in his pocket, and Critic drew his gun and pointed it straight at Guy's head. Guy rolled his eyes. "Put that toy away, Doug. It can't hurt me, and I gave Dominic my Word that I would not do anything to violate Neutrality."
"I ain't putting it away until I'm sure you're not pulling out something that will try to kill me."
Guy pulled a small crystal ball out of his pocket and tossed it to him. Critic caught it one handed "Take a look inside, twin dear."
Critic peered into the depths. "Oh my god...th...Rob!" He gaped at Guy, his bile rising. "What have you done to him?!"
"Nothing. Yet. Here's the deal, Doug. I've heard it through the grapevine that you've got a certain...young woman on your hands that has quite the interesting power. I propose a trade. You bring this person to me in..say, one weeks' time, and I let our dear brother go. I'll even promise to never interfere in your lives ever again. I'll leave Awesomia and never return. But if you don't, I'll destroy everyone you've ever loved. I'll kill you a thousand times over in ways that you cannot even imagine. I'll bring you back over and over until you're nothing but a dried out husk begging for death, and only then will I grant you release."
Critic shook his head. "No. I don't know what you have planned, but I'm not going to just hand her over. And, dear brother, it will take more power than even you have to kill me permanently. See, I've become gainfully employed." He pulled up his right jacket sleeve, turning his arm so the tattoo was visible to both of them. Dominic looked shocked, and Guy looked furious.
"You're a Disciple?!"
Critic's gun hand was steady. "Yep, and if you threaten me, you'll get the attention of my Boss. That extends to anyone under a Disciple's Protection, and the Healer is under mine. Threaten her again, directly or indirectly, and I will forget you are my brother. Now, get out of here." He cocked the gun, and Guy vanished in a puff of black smoke.
Critic's legs gave way, and he collapsed into a booth. Dominic grabbed a bottle off the shelf and sent it over to him. Critic popped it open and drained half the whiskey at a gulp. "Well...that was..."
"Scary as fuck?" Dominic asked drily. Critic nodded, and he slid into the opposite booth. "What are you going to do? He's got Rob locked up someplace with what looks like silver chains, and while you may not be able to die or feel pain, Miss Green can. Your Protective Spells are strong, but Guy could level the entire building without even trying. I'd say bring her here, but even that would be a temporary solution."
"I don't want you getting too deeply involved, Dominic."
"Douglas, we're family. I'm already involved. You need to figure something out."
"I know. Right now though, I need to get back home and make sure Layla's OK." He frowned at the grin on his cousin's face. "What?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that when you were in here a few days ago you seemed to resent her very existence, and now she's Layla. I must say, that's quite the quick turn around. And they say there's no such thing as love at first sight."
Critic glared daggers at him. "I do not have..those types of feelings for her! Just because she's not what I thought doesn't mean that I've got the hots for her. She's under my Protection, and that's as far as it goes."
"Uh huh. So how long has it been since you've been laid?" Dominic asked, still grinning, and Critic moaned in annoyance.
"It's-not-like-that!"
Dominic shrugged. "Suit yourself. Listen, I've got to open up soon. If you want to stay and help out tonight, you're more than welcome."
Critic shook his head. "I don't want to leave Layla alone for longer than I...wait a second! Dominic, you're a fucking genius!" He leapt across the table and kissed his cheek with a loud smack before running behind the bar and picking up the phone. Dominic followed, a little nonplussed. "C'mon, c'mon...Layla! It's Critic. I need you to come to the Pixel Palace. I promise, everything is fine. What? Oh! One sec." He closed his eyes, sending out a wave of magic, then resumed speaking. "There. You'll be able to leave now. Once you're out of the building, the Wards will go back up. I'll explain everything once you get here."
Layla arrived ten minutes later. "Critic, what is going on?"
Critic turned to Dominic. "The Palace is under the protection of Neutrality, right?"
"Yes."
"And Layla's under Disciple's Protection."
"Also right. But I still don't see..." Critic stared at him, and Dominic felt the pieces fall into place. "Douglas, you bloody magnificent bastard! Even if Guy doesn't give his Word, Disciple Protection means that Layla can't be hurt without bringing even worse consequences down on him!" He laughed, and Doug grinned.
"Umm...someone want to fill me in?" Layla asked, looking very confused. Dominic sighed.
"Douglas can explain it to you better than I could. But still, you can't just stay here. I've got a business to run."
Critic sighed. "She can help! I'm sure she's not too proud to serve drinks and food."
Layla grinned. "Wouldn't be the worst job I had. I could also provide the entertainment, if you need it."
Dominic pondered for a second, looked over at the empty stage to the right of the bar, then back to her. "I could use some of that. What do you do?"
Layla walked over to the stage and plugged in the mic,then began to sing.
"Lo, how a rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung,
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
As men of old have sung.
It came a fl ow'ret bright
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
This Rose that I have in mind.
And with Mary we behold it,
The Virgin Mother so sweet and so kind.
To show God's love aright,
She bore to men a Saviour
When half-spent was the night.
What power art thou who from below
Hast made me rise unwillingly and slow
From beds of everlasting snow?
See'st thou not how stiff, how stiff and wondrous
old,
Far, far unfit to bear the bitter cold?
I can scarcely move or draw my breath:
Let me, let me, let me freeze again to death."
Dominic's jaw was on the floor. "You're hired." He looked over at Critic, who looked like he had just witnessed a miracle. "Douglas, what do you think?"
"Sing it again," Critic begged, and Layla smiled, bowing.
"As you wish."
She began singing once more, and Critic felt the music wash over him. He looked over at Dominic, who smirked at him. Critic ignored him and turned back to watch Layla. She wasn't what he expected. He had expected her to be a flighty earth-child type, someone that flitted through life without a thought for anyone but herself. Instead she was smart, compassionate, and understanding. She had given him back so much in just the few short days he had known her, and hadn't asked for anything in return.
He still didn't believe in love at first sight, but he'd be lying if he said he felt nothing for her.
Layla finished singing, then walked over to Critic. "You. Buy me a drink, then tell me what's going on."
Meanwhile, in another location, Spoony lay in Linkara's arms, silently holding a conversation with Insano.
"There's a war coming, you know."
"I know, and Critic's caught right in the middle of it. What happens next is up to him. We can ask Linkara for help."
"Would he give it?"
"Possibly. He loves us, after all, and he has that pesky honor that annoys you so much. But we can worry about that in the morning. We need to sleep now."
The alchemist pressed closer to their lover, letting sleep overtake them.