"Paladin Aleodei," I have been looking for you,"
General Ephialtes spoke as they stood at the doorway. Their voice was almost like a child trying to sound older and they were much shorter than most of the generals, had light blue hair and marbled dark-skinned ears that looked strange if you stared at them too long. Aleodei stood still, she had never really noticed Ephialtes, but she had always seen them sitting near lady Monarch.
Almost like a pet, she thought.
"yes?" she responded.
"walk with me," Ephialtes said as they turned a corner. Aleodei walked alongside them as they entered a building that she had never been in before.
"I've been watching you," they started, "I've noticed your horns, pointy ears, your abnormal strength and speed and the way you speak dictates your tongue is bothered by fangs," they said stopping before a door. It was painted in a light but striking purple resembling the electric core element. Ephialtes opened it with their fingerprint and signaled inside. "Please, please, enter," They said. Aleodei hesitated. if they suspected her to be a spy, they would kill her. this could be a trap, an ambush. "No? okay,"
Ephialtes said before entering themselves and sitting at their couch. Aleodei looked inside, it was like a big condo, huge, all white and purple. It was definitely better than the little room Trinity gave Aleodei. she carefully stepped in after she didn't feel anyone inside.
Aleodei entered and sat at a lone chair.
"Are you aware you were named after the ancient greek traitor?" Aleodei asked. Emotions shifted behind Ephialtes' mask. it was quiet then they got up.
"You're quite knowledgeable. Yes, I do know, and I do not care. Though it is a rather ironic tale to tell. Perhaps one day you'll hear it," they turned to Aleodei. "I'd offer tea but we both have faces we'd like to hide. Humorous isn't it?" they made a teacup gesture with their hand. Aleodei only stared at them.
Ephialtes disappeared into a room. Aleodei looked around. Not a sign of personal effects. it was all cold and distant. she fidgeted in her seat. so far no killing attempt, but the tea might be spiked.
Ephialtes returned with two white cups.
"They're not poisoned, if that's what you think," they
said as if they read her mind. Aleodei stood still. "here, pick one," they offered. They could be both poisoned, Aleodei thought as she took one and slightly sniffing it. "Anyways-" Ephialtes began as they sat across from her. Aleodei glanced at her tea.
Why would I drink this, she thought before leaving it on a table beside her.
"You're a Drigenife aren't you?" General Ephialtes asked. Aleodei swallowed. she remained quiet. "So you are," they said staring into her mask. Aleodei shifted in the chair. If she had to defend herself she'd have to do it quickly and standing. "May I ask why you're helping Trinity? I mean they did commit massive genocide against the Drigentife." Ephiatles said, glaring at Aleodei from behind her mask. Aleodei fidgeted then she sighed.
"I know. But the Infernals are the bigger problem. I'm prioritizing," Aleodei responded cautiously. Ephialtes nodded, they turned away and slightly lifted their mask to take a sip and thought for a while.
"I suppose that makes sense, but what will you do after you defeat the Infernals might I ask Paladin?" Ephialtes asked leaning in. Aleodei looked away looking at a bookshelf. History, survival, philosophy books were the only topics.
"How did you know the Drigenife were killed by Trinity? You don't seem old enough to have encountered it as a general, and I don't think the Trinity would write about their atrocious acts of war in some book," Aleodei said directing the conversation and showing off her own powers of deduction. There was a low chuckle like sound that came from the General. Ephialtes touched the corner of their mask as if they were going to take it off but stopped. "An older general told me," they settled down. "When I asked about your strange physical appearances," They finished. Quietness filled the air. "So will you take out Trinity after the Infernals?" They asked again. Aleodei cleared her throat.
"That depends. Who knows, it's all in the air," she said cautiously . Perhaps Ephialtes sensed the lie because they began to form a word when they were interrupted by the beeping of a watch.
"oh," they said checking their watch. "I'm afraid I have training to go to," Aleodei stood with them and walked to the door. "Maybe we'll pick this up another time," They said as they opened the door and let Aleodei out.