NOVEL WEB XX. Bitter Closure
Anya: I don't care if he killed himself because of you or not... The Charles I knew died long before that... And that Charles... That one, you murdered. You, and you alone! Ever since you showed up for the first time... He changed.
She started tearing up.
Anya: And yet you tell me you aren't to blame...? FUCK YOU!
The Leopard removes his mask with a wave of his hand. It vanishes into glowing grey particles.
Sadduccee: ... I know nothing I say will truly help. The Charles you fell in love with did indeed change... But not because of us. Not because of you, or your son... But because of something he did, before he became a wealthy businessman. Do you recall those times...?
Anya wipes her tears, as she looks at the floor.
Anya: I could never forget them. Those were the the best times of my life... We were dirt poor, but what we lacked in wealth we made up for in adventure and wonder. You have no idea how often I wish things would have just stayed that way. But... They changed.
She looks up at him.
Anya: Why did things change? Tell me, then. If it wasn't you... What was it?
Sadduccee takes a deep breath.
Sadduccee: Back then, you and Charles roamed the continent exploring ancient ruins in search of forgotten artifacts... And many of those times, you worked together. Yet, sometimes, Charles felt like certain sites were much too dangerous for you to venture into.
A chill goes down her spine. She interrupts him.
Anya: Yes. We'd tie some rope around his waist, so that he could give it a pull every so often. I held onto the other end of the rope, so I'd know if he was still alive or not. If he ever stopped pulling... I knew it would be time to call for help.
She seems sad.
Anya: ... I hated those expeditions the most. I was always on edge...
Sadduccee: Do you remember the last such expedition you had? The one with the lake...
Her eyes widen.
Anya: Of course...! After that, I told him I would never allow him to go inside dangerous sites ever again... He was gone for so long that there were times I thought he really had died... The thought of just running in there and searching for him came over me so often, but what good would that do...? If he was already dead, chances are I'd follow right after... That expedition was the last time we tackled such perilous ruins.
Sadduccee: And did you notice anything strange after he returned...?
She squints, trying to recall.
Anya: Well, he was completely exhausted... I believe it was also the first time I ever heard him say that he didn't want to unearth relics anymore, but I figured that was because he had had such a rough time during the expedition. After a couple of days' rest, he seemed eager again. Although...
Sadduccee listens closely.
Anya: ... It wasn't really the same. I could tell he wasn't enjoying himself as much. I believe we must have done a handful more expeditions, before he decided to quit altogether. That's when he started looking into... Other means of making coin. He told me we would be rich soon, and that we'd be able to afford a beautiful home, so big that we'd need several maids just to clean it... I remember laughing when I heard him say that. I didn't believe that would ever be possible... Until you showed up.
She looks at him in the eyes.
Anya: One of you, with the mask of... I don't even recall what kind of animal it was. You came along one day, and had a long conversation with him... When I spoke with him afterwards, he was as serious and cold as I had ever seen him. From that day onwards, he began his journey of becoming as rich as was humanely possible. I felt him slipping away from me... Before I knew it, money was pouring in, but... Things weren't as good as before. And every time you would return... I felt that he'd get more and more distant, more and more obsessed with wealth. I don't know what you did to him...
She twists her face in anger and disgust.
Anya: ... But I'll never forgive you. You took away the man I once loved, and replaced him with a husk who only ever cared about opulence...!
In the meantime, Rel arrives from the orphanage. He was about to enter to tell Virno's mother he couldn't find him, but upon hearing the doctor's familiar voice inside, he decides to wait outside, listening in...
Sadduccee: What if I told you, Anya, that it was not us who changed Charles... But something inside the ruins in the lake? Something that was deep inside, but that he could not obtain... Yet it affected him. Warped him.
Anya: Then how come he was so different with each of your visits...?
Sadduccee: Because with each of our visits, we let him know more about the danger he had awoken. Every time we came around, it was to reinforce how crucial it was that he did not listen to the voice in his head. And every time we'd come, the voice seemed to grow louder, stronger... As if to mock our efforts. As if to taunt us...
Anya: Voice...?
Sadduccee: Inside those ruins, Anya... Laid a cursed weapon. A blade that had been dormant for centuries. Your husband was the first in a long time to discover its resting place... And the first in a long time to awaken it from its slumber. Even though he failed to free it, it latched onto his very soul... It kept speaking to him, even when he had already left the ruins. Its influence got stronger and stronger as years passed by, polluting Charles' mind, driving him to seek riches through ever more questionable means... Until he became far too ambitious.
Her mouth was agape as she intently listened to him.
Sadduccee: Charles was never home because it got increasingly difficult to keep his endeavours hidden from the eye of the law. And when he finally picked his family over his desire for wealth... One of his embezzlement schemes got found out. And the rest... The rest you know.
She was at a loss for words, not knowing if she should fully believe him or not.
Anya: But... Even if that's true, Charles is dead now... So what exactly do you want from us...?
Sadduccee swallows dryly.
Sadduccee: Even though Charles died, the curse is still active... Once he died, it was transferred to your son.
Anya's eyes widen. Rel is also caught completely by surprise.
Anya: No... No...
Sadduccee: But Virno is still young! We believe it is possible for him to break free of the curse...
There was a sudden glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Sadduccee: ... However, it would require Virno to venture into those ruins and try to claim the sword himself...
Anya stands up.
Anya: NEVER! I'LL NEVER ALLOW THAT!
He immediately tries to call her to reason, gesturing with open hands.
Sadduccee: Please, it is the only way he can break free! Otherwise, he'll be cursed until the day he dies... And should he have offspring, his sons or daughters will have to bear the curse afterwards, too...!
She shakes her head, livid.
Anya: Virno is all I have left... I don't want to lose him. I don't want him to go into that place... Charles barely made it out of there... No. He's still too young, he would never...
He interrupts.
Sadduccee: But that's why I'm here...! I'll train your son, I'll help him grow strong enough to withstand those ruins and the trials they hold. I'll do everything in my power to ensure he survives... You have my word!
Anya scoffs.
Anya: Your word... I might already be giving that far too much faith...
She stands up.
Anya: I understand what you want, but I cannot allow it. So... Please leave. At once.
Desperate, Sadduccee tries to convince her once more.
Sadduccee: Please miss, you must reconsider! Charles was already an adult when he got cursed, his mind was fully developed... But your son is much too young...! He may not be able to resist the curse's call for long, and should he fail... He will meet the worst fate possible if he tries to go into the ruins alone!
Anya: I will NEVER let it get to that. My son isn't stepping foot on those ruins... Not unless it's over my goddamn dead body!
Once more, her gaze reflected her unyielding determination. Sadduccee sighs, defeated. He puts his mask on again. Rel hides.
The Leopard: I understand... But please, think this over. If you change your mind, I'll-
Anya: That is never going to happen! Now, leave.
Devastated, the Leopard nods, then makes his way out of their home... In the meantime, Virno returns to bed quietly... Rel waits a couple of minutes, then knocks to let Anya know he couldn't find him. She thanks him and tells him he already made his way home. Rel leaves, thinking about what he just heard...