"We have to go back!"
"We can't Clover!" Albaric sighed. " We go back there, someone's going to get killed. If we didn't leave Ace would have killed us or we would have had to kill him!"
"He knows where the necklace is!"Clover exclaimed, " I know he does,"
"Even if he does, he doesn't want to tell us," Albaric countered.
"Then we drag him him to the temple!" Clover gestured wildly.
"It would kill him! Clover, what is wrong with you?" Albaric stared at them in disbelief.
Clover shook their head," You don't understand, Albaric! How did he send us back? A human cannot use demonic magic and human magic at the same time. He sent us back with dark magic! That is human magic. Such a thing should not be possible for a human or a demon. That person has him, I am certain of it now! He's going to die if we leave him with them!"
"What person, Clover? Gods almighty, you won't even tell us!"
Clover paced the length of the office without answering. They cast an eye on Michael who was sitting in the window seat. He was altogether subdued, staring quietly down at the courtyard below. He had not said a word since their return. Clover halted their pacing and came in front of him.
"Do you know a way we can get Ace back here?" Clover asked.
"Why would I know?" Michael replied drily without looking up.
"You..." Clover hesitated, "why did you run off as soon as we arrived?"
Clover glanced back at Rena and Albaric.
"And why did you let him?" Clover said slowly, "is there something going on that I don't know about?"
Rena tapped the desk lightly as though she wanted to speak but decided against it. Albaric in turn, averted his eyes to the floor. Michael was still staring vacantly ahead but eventually his eyes came to Clover. His eyes were so lifeless, it caught Clover off guard. They stared down apprehensively.
"If you want Ace to come back, you need to tell him that Bird is dead," Michael said quietly.
"What?" Clover's brow furrowed, "why would I tell him that...wait...Is Bird dead?"
Michael relinquished a sigh and turned away again. The silence returned acutely, deadening the atmosphere of the room.
"It happened when you were passed out Clover," Albaric intervened at last. "We didn't tell you because..."
"Because your fucking pet serial killer is the one who murdered him," Michael said in a low vicious voice.
"Kali?" Clover uttered bewildered. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"We all know when push comes to shove, that you'll choose her over us," Michael went on, "this was my only chance, while you were distracted...but I failed... so do whatever you want. It's not like I can stop you,"
Clover turned back to Albaric, "So you let him go after her while I was distracted?"
Albaric met Clover's gaze unwaveringly, "Bird didn't deserve to die like that. Kalandra...she had to pay for what she did,"
"And you sister?" Clover glanced down.
Rena inhaled deeply, "I do not condone such actions. We have laws and a justice system for a reason. However, since the demon world prevents us from such recourse I believe that in the end, the gods will decide what happens to Kalandra,"
"I see," Clover said flatly.
They turned swiftly and opened the door.
"Clover?" Albaric called, "We're supposed to meet the Emperor within the hour!"
However, they were already gone. Michael let out a derive snort and continued to stare down from the tower window. He watched Clover disappear beyond the courtyard.
"Why did you do that?" Albaric addressed Michael, "I thought we all agreed, we weren't going to tell Clover,"
"Because we were going in circles. We both know that Ace is the one that got in my way and as long as Kalandra is with him, there won't be any justice for Bird. We don't need another obstacle in our way when the time comes," Michael answered.
"You're assuming that Clover won't try to stop us now," Rena enjoined.
"They won't," Michael replied curtly, "Think about it. What do you think will happen when we tell Ace?"
"He'll go after Kalandra?" Albaric surmised.
"Right, and anyone who gets in his way," Michael replied.
"But If it comes down to," Rena said thoughtfully, "Surely Clover still has the advantage?"
"Of course they do," Michael scoffed, "but do you really think Clover will actually fight Ace?"
"You're putting a lot of faith in Clover's intentions. Don't you know better than anyone else how unpredictable they are?"Albaric said gravely.
"Yes, and because I know them better than anyone else, that's how I know," Michael said quietly, "I already know who Clover will choose,"
"Didn't Clover choose Kalandra before?" Rena added.
"Only because unfortunately Clover knows me as well as I know them," Michael said wryly, "this will be different,"
"I hope you're right," Albaric frowned, "because i'm quite certain we're about to get torn to shreds by the Emperor, we can't go in there without a plan,"
"Did they say anything when you received the summons?" Rena asked soberly.
"No," Albaric gave a weak smile, "but we're not in chains so that's a good sign...I think,"
"The Emperor is decisive," Rena nodded, "yes, he probably means to give us a chance to defend ourselves,"
"Well, there are other demon lords in the demon world, maybe one of them closed the door?" Albaric laughed nervously.
"Stop kidding yourselves," Michael scoffed, "he's already made up his mind, this is just a courtesy,"
"Well, since you have this plan and you've already acted on it, don't you think you're being too complacent? We're trying to put together some kind of cohesive story at least. If you don't have anything useful to say then maybe keep it to yourself, huh?" Albaric scolded.
"Albaric," Michael turned back with a cold smile, "don't you ever get bored of being wrong?"
"What did you just say to me?" Albaric stepped forward.
Rena held out her hand, "Maybe you ought to just tell us what you intend to do, Michael?" she said with thinly veiled irritated.
"Why would I do that, sister?" Michael smiled provokingly, "it would spoil all the fun,"
"Michael..." Alabric began.
Michael held up a hand, "I will talk to Clover," he started out the door.
"But the court!" Albaric called after him with a sigh.
The decided upon hour elapsed and the group found themselves outside the royal court room with their names being announced. The great doors opened and they were met with not only the Emperor's cold eyes but the entirety of the court.
Albaric led them up the aisle. They reached the throne and gave a bow. The Emperor stared down with his usual impenetrable indifference. Leila was standing by his side with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Albaric and Rena both gave a low bow. At either side of them, neither Clover nor Michael followed the custom. Consequently, a reproachful muttering filled the court. Albaric cleared his throat attempting to speak over them with difficulty.
"Your majesty..." he started.
"You will wait until the Emperor addresses you," Leila interjected, "Or have you forgotten, you are still just a knight of this Empire?"
Albaric's fist clenched, he lowered his head accordingly. Rena glanced at him cautiously. It didn't look good for them. The court was already aggravated and with Leila leading the inquisition it could only get worse. Not even speaking for the fact, their own group was at odds.
Clover was staring ahead vacantly scarcely paying attention. Michael looked equally as indisposed with his own thoughts. Rena inhaled deeply. It couldn't end here. There had to be a way to turn it around...
"You were tasked with handling the demon incursion in the Empire," Leila said sharply, "You were supposed to be leading the charge against the demon lord who ransacked our temples and stole our heritage. Instead, yesterday, we had another demon attack in the royal palace. And although there were no casualties this time, none of you could be found."
"We were investigating a lead," Albaric insisted.
"And did that lead bring you any closer to solving our problem? " Leila smiled icily.
"We just need a bit more time,"Rena rejoined.
"You've had enough time, sister," Leila replied coldly.
"The princess is right!" Heckled a member of the court.
" Such incompetence is suspicious! "Cried another, " it's as we've said all along. They've fallen under the sway of that despicable demon,"
" I say kill the demon and imprison the rest pending investigation! "
"Quickly before the demon's wickedness spreads!"
The minister of defence stepped to the head of the crowd. He gave a bow to the Emperor.
"Your majesty, please let us move forward with the charges," he said with a smile.
At that moment, Michael turned to Clover. "Are you waiting for a fucking invitation?"
Clover was looking at the crowd with a strange expression as though they were listening to each insult being hurled their way with interest. They were screaming without loud outraged voices full of wrath and bitterness that had been accumulating from the time of their parents and beyond.
Michael stepped toward them and yanked Clover by the arm. Clover stared down somewhat startled but as usual a darkness came over their eyes and they glared back unabashedly..
"What is it you once said to me..." Michael said in a low voice, "if they're gonna hate you anyway, you should give them a real reason to hate you?"