Friday, 11th of August, 6 p.m. – Ethan woke to the sound of birds. No longer paralysed, he turned left, pushed himself up, and sat leaning on his arm. His vision was a bit shaky but much better than before. He looked down – he was wearing only a pair of boxer shorts.
'Was that a dream?'
With some effort, he sat up straight and massaged his aching neck slowly.
'It's the same room though…'
He carefully observed his body and the bandages on his chest, belly, arms, and legs. With his vision slowly clearing, he looked out the window. With the curtains now open, he saw the trees moving in the breeze and birds chirping among the branches.
The White Bolt pushed himself off the bed. His body was still stiff. He stood bent forward, eyes closed, with hands on his knees. It took a moment before he straightened, using the sofa chair beside the bed for support
He stepped forward carefully and walked over to the window. Large trees lined the edges of the garden extending below, which was cordoned off by a fence. The street beyond was visible through the branches as well.
Ethan observed – there were a few lawn chairs around a table. Only one was occupied by a lady who had a magazine in one hand and a teacup in the other.
'What is this place?'
Just then, he heard the door of the room opening. The bounty hunter slowly looked back. Camille stepped in.
"You're up!" she said, smiling, and hurried inside. "How're you feeling now?"
"Stiff." Ethan rested at the edge of the windowsill. "Where am I?"
"In Moscow, at my mother's place."
"So, that woman outside is…?"
"Yup, that would be my mom."
After a pause, Ethan asked, "Did I apologise?"
Camille nodded. "You did."
"God… my memory is so foggy right now."
She smiled. "Give it a little time."
Camille slowly moved closer. "Hey, Ethan," she said, perching on the armrest of the sofa chair.
Wide-eyed, the White Bolt stared at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Oh…" He remembered and shook his head. "I told you my name."
She giggled. "Tell me, can I ask you something?"
He sighed. "Go ahead…"
"You had deep, old scars. I can't see them anymore… except for the one on your cheek. Why hide them? Whatever spell you use to do it must waste Ki… doesn't it?"
The bounty hunter dropped his head. "It's a long story…"
Camille waited. Ethan did not say anything further.
"You're quite young," she eventually said. "Makes me jealous…" She chuckled. "You're already so strong and already know so much."
He never raised his head but shook it. "That's not always a good thing."
The Sokidu's smile slowly disappeared. "Ethan," she said, quietly.
When he finally looked up at her, she nodded. "You're just like him…"
Raising his eyebrows, the White Bolt asked, "I'm like who?"
She cleared her throat. "My brother, Hugo."
He scoffed and looked away.
"He could see things that others couldn't. You can too. I know. It used to hurt him when people couldn't. It hurts you too. I can see it in your eyes. Although you show it a bit differently."
Crossing her arms, she smiled again. "He wanted us not just to know the truth, but to seek it as well. He dedicated his entire life to helping those who couldn't see. And the only thing that gave him the strength to do it all is what's different about you… he believed things would improve."
Ethan sighed. "Hope…"
"Mm-hmm." She nodded. "He hoped that his work would help create a better world for those to come after him. And just like you…" Camille paused and shook her head. "He couldn't stop himself from helping."
He looked at her, eyes narrowed. "What on earth are you talking about?"
She sighed. "Oh, just nothing."
Silence prevailed thereafter, till eventually, the bounty hunter asked, "What happened to my clothes?"
"You were on fire," Camille replied. "What do you think happened? But don't worry. I have arranged for some new clothes."
After a pause, she added, "Do you wanna freshen up… or not…?"
With closed eyes, Ethan slowly nodded. "Sure. What about these bandages?"
"I'd leave them on till tonight or tomorrow morning. So, just wash your hands – no water on the bandages." She stood up. "Let me bring your clothes."
The white-haired man kept looking at her as she slowly left the room. The quiet room, the sound of nature from outside, the help he had received, and the unlikely ally he had found made him wonder.
'You wanted me to look after her, Hugo,' he thought as a smile appeared on his face. 'But she somehow saved me…'
With a sigh, he finally got up and went to the bathroom.
He washed his hands carefully and splashed water on his face. Then he sat down at the edge of the bathtub. His head dropped.
"I should not have survived that," he whispered.
With the index finger on his right hand, he traced the scar on his jaw. 'I should not have survived that either…'
After freshening up, the bounty hunter changed into the clothes Camille had left outside the bathroom for him – a black t-shirt, black trousers, and black shoes. A servant then led him downstairs and into the dining hall where he was served a luxurious high tea. His systems, both physical and spiritual, now healed, the white-haired young man ate until he was full, albeit much more slowly than he usually did.
With a glass of water in hand, he finally made his way into the sitting area adjacent to the dining hall. Camille was attending a guest there – Marcus Bernthal.
"They destroyed it all?" Camille asked. "Did they even investigate first?"
Marcus shook his head. "No investigations. Ella… you've gotta understand her situation, Cami. She was traumatised and grieving, man. She saw Ambris casually overpowering the combined might of Master Naji and the Seredums. And then we all felt that Demonic Ki arriving from the Pyrenees. She had seen what was at Pyrenees – inside the caves, inside the tunnels. She told them. And they destroyed the entire place."
"Any survivors?"
"No survivors, man. Not one." After a pause he added, "And I know that feels too much, but maybe that's exactly what was needed."
"Oh, come on, Marc!"
"I don't support him, Cami," Marcus said. "But his extreme measures kind of make sense right now. Look at the mess we're in… a bit of sternness is justified."
"Sternness?" Camille repeated, wide-eyed. "He's destroying evidence and blaming everyone!"
Ethan walked closer. Marcus stood up. "Holy shit!" he blurted out. "I still can't believe it." He ran his fingers through his hair. "When Cami told me on the phone, I thought she was hallucinating. But you really are alive!"
"Does anyone else know?" Ethan asked.
He nodded. "I told Elle and she said the Parliamentarians also believe that you are alive."
After a pause, the Sokidu extended a handshake. "For what it's worth… thanks, man."
Ethan observed for a few moments then eventually shook his hand.
The trio sat down – Camille and Marcus on a couch, Ethan on a sofa chair to their right.
Looking at Marcus, Camille said, "Tell him."
"Renekom blamed the entire thing on Zeta, didn't he?" the White Bolt said as he brought his right leg atop his left one. "And he must have stripped you of your ranks as well. Anything else, Mr Bernthal?"
"How'd you know?" he asked, wide-eyed and befuddled. "Have you been listening in on us?"
The entire blame of Ambris Ferrer rising from the dead, the Devil's Hearth attacking Ayn, the disruptions in the black markets, Cults conspiring behind closed doors, and the destruction caused all over the world had been pinned on the Zeta Squad, the Seredums, Hugo Baylis, and Faris Naji.
"No," Ethan replied, smiling. "That's just what powerful people do to shut down any disagreements and stifle any doubts inside their court."
With their squad disbanded, Neil, Marcus, and Ella had been stripped of their ranks while Camille had been branded a rogue for leaving her post and not returning to Ayn. Her arrest warrant had already been issued. Gina was pronounced a hero who stood tall against conspiracy, and Hugo was dishonourably disowned.
Ethan leaned back, saying, "It's what they always do…"
The room fell into silence. A gentle breeze pushed the curtains hanging in front of the large open windows. Their hissing and swaying were accompanied by the ticking of an antique longcase clock in the far corner. The only other sounds were from the outside – birds chirping, an occasional passing vehicle on the street, and distant chatter among the servants.
Eventually, after Ethan placed the empty glass down on a side table, Camille broke the silence. "Well, Marcus here thinks Renekom's policies are justified."
"Somewhat justified," Marcus clarified.
"True," Ethan said, chuckling. "The man's tactics and his policies may have been a bit off, a bit misguided, but they brought results. He brought peace to the arcane world after nearly fifty years of political turmoil – got to give him credit for that. He does go to physical extremes to ease spiritual tension. That causes more spiritual tension but yields at least immediate results. And for what it's worth…" he looked at Marcus. "That might be exactly what's needed right now."
One eyebrow raised higher than the other, Camille half-smiled and looked from one to the other – Ethan to her right and Marcus to her left. "Are you guys seriously in his favour?"
"Nobody's in his favour, Cami." Marcus shook his head. "All I'm saying is that it's better than nothing. And yes, there are definitely better solutions out there."
The fire breathing Sokidu looked at Ethan. "And what you said about shutting down disagreements and doubts… well, I think that might be difficult for him this time."
The bounty hunter looked down but did not reply.
"Look at what's happened," Marcus continued. "Everyone saw it. It happened right outside our home, inside our home. You can't unsee it, man. You just can't forget it!"
"I think that's a good thing," Camille added as she leaned ahead. "The more unsure people are of the narrative, the easier it is to make them see the truth."
Ethan shook his head and looked at them – his smile had vanished. "Nope…"
"Nope?"
"A fractured Eye is in no one's favour right now. You were asking me to take a look… let's take a look. Ambris has shown the entire world that even with Renekom's paranoid defensive policies, the City of Ayn is penetrable. He showed everyone that Ayn can bleed. Don't you think others would feel inspired by his efforts? And those doubters you're so excited about may stupidly conspire with others to brew trouble."
As the two looked at each other, Ethan added, "The Devil's Hearth isn't the only danger out there. You're forgetting that… or you are unaware." After a pause, he said, "A fractured Eye is not good. Too many doubters are not good. Trust me."
Marcus smirked as he looked over. "Well, that's where we come in. We'll guide the doubters and keep them on track just like how Hugo kept us on track."
"Exactly," Camille said, nodding and pointing at him. "We'll continue Hugo's mission. We'll continue to spread the truth."
Ethan chuckled. In a near whisper, he said, "And the Spirit of the Outsiders lives on… inside another hapless generation."
He slowly stood up. "Well, it's getting late. I should get going."
"What?" Camille stood up as well. "Where?"
"Under normal circumstances, I'd be heading out to a funeral. But I believe that's not happening, is it?" He stared at Camille and added, "Think about that before you go swashbuckling to lead the doubters and rebels."
Marcus sighed and dropped his head, saying, "We've been asking continuously."
Ethan looked at him.
"But the only response we got was that the body would be disposed of outside the city limits." The Sokidu smiled and shook his head. "Oh, how I wish meteors the size of football fields would drop on their asses."
"Well, it's been a pleasure then." Ethan took a deep breath. "Thanks for your hospitality, Camille. I'll thank your mother before I leave."
The red-haired young man quickly stood up. "Go wherever you want, but you two need to disappear and fast."
Camille looked at him. "Why is that?"
"Well, Cami, you're Master Baylis's sister – and everyone knows you were very close to him. And now, you're a rogue as well. They'll soon send an attack squad to hunt you down. And you, Vincent, you must be the number one target right now. They'll come looking for you first."
The White Bolt chuckled as he shook his head. "I don't think so. I'm assuming they've all seen, felt, and understood that I used the Dark Ki. Renekom and his followers cannot publicly admit that I'm alive after that. So, they can't send an attack squad after me without spreading fear like wildfire."
He looked at Camille then and said, "But I will agree with Marcus for your sake. You need to disappear. Even send your mother somewhere else, somewhere safe."
She shrugged and shook her head. "I just found out a few hours ago that she used to hide Outsiders for a living. So… I guess… she'll be fine. But yeah, my case's different. Mom's looking for a place for me to stay out of sight." After a slight pause, she said, "Hey, even if the Eye doesn't send their own people, they might hire some outside help to hunt you down."
Ethan smiled as he leaned ahead. "Let them try…"
"Hold up!" Marcus interrupted. "Here's another idea. Why don't you join us in our efforts? Me and Ella, we'll work on the doubters inside and you and Camille could work on the ones outside."
Apart from one eyebrow lifting slightly, the bounty hunter's expression went blank. "Yes, that's a great idea, Marcus," he slowly said. "And then we can go marching into the sunset after conquering the Eye… roll the credits… scene…" His face contorted with disgust. "Grow up."
Camille and Marcus looked at each other but could not find a reply.
Ethan moved away and stretched. "What started with Renekom blaming shit on people has finally come to an end with Renekom blaming shit on people. Nice."
"Where will you go?" Camille asked.
The bounty hunter shrugged. "Not sure."
"I still think you should watch your back… trouble might still find you."
"Nothing's changed." He shook his head. "The world's always been in trouble."
She glanced at Marcus briefly before saying, "You should stay in touch. I mean, if things go south, call us or something. No need to be the lone warrior anymore."
"I wouldn't worry about that too much." He moved a few steps and then stopped. "My bounty-hunter shenanigans are now over for good. Whether the world thinks I'm dead or alive, I don't care." He took a deep breath and added, "I'll find something else to do… something quieter… something constant… something less arcane…"
Marcus stepped ahead. "What if it was the other way around – what if we needed you?"
Ethan looked at him. "This was a one-time arrangement, Mr Bernthal. Hopefully you won't disturb me again."
He began walking away when Camille asked, "Are there still miles to go… or will you go and sleep now?"
The White Bolt stopped. He waited, closed his eyes, and sighed. Looking ahead once more, he said, "I might never be able to…"
Glancing back over his shoulder, he added, "You're good people and I hope that luck treats you better in the future. Thank you for your support. It was an interesting few days. Take care and God bless…"
And with that, he left.
Outside, he met Linda and thanked her for her hospitality and for letting him stay at her place.
"Oh, don't mention it, love," she replied, smiling. "Did you have supper?"
"Yes, ma'am. Much obliged."
"Well, don't be a stranger now. Visit sometime."
Ethan chuckled. "You know that might not be possible, right?"
She smiled as she finally stood up. "Nearly five decades on this sphere, young man…" She leaned closer, placed a hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "I've seen remarkable things happen."
He smiled. "Well, in that case, I'll surely remember to visit sometime."
As she sat back down, he said, "By the way, you're under the Order's eyes…"
She looked up and put on her reading glasses. With a smile she shook her head. "Aren't we all?"
The bounty hunter nodded as he smiled.
Linda got back to her reading while Camille and Marcus kept standing on the veranda. Ethan simply walked out of the front door and left – no teleportation, no Ki-charged running, and no fancy spell. He casually walked out on foot and went away.