"We were just minding our own business when suddenly this blonde woman appeared out of nowhere. And she attacked us without any warning. We didn't even know who she was or why she targeted us," Xain explained, his voice filled with fake frustration as he technically told the truth.
"She was fast and skilled, using both close combat and magic to fight. I managed to land a hit on her, but it didn't seem to faze her much. Eventually, she retreated, claiming that she would come back. That's pretty much all I know," Xain concluded, hoping it would satisfy Malvin's questions.
"So she attacked you for no reason at all," Malvin said, emphasizing the word "all." "For some reason, I don't buy that, a magic user doesn't just come into a city like Ironhelm and attack random people for no reason," Malvin continued, his suspicion evident.
*Why aren't you telling the truth about her intentions to go after the old ape and the elf?* Ercale inquired inside Xain's mind. *I can't just sell them out like that, Erkie. They're my friends, and besides, I have a feeling they can use magic. No normal old man or elf can move like that, I don't think. If the guards find out about it, I don't think they'll be very happy,* Xain explained to Ercale, expressing his concerns.
*What did you just call me?* Ercale interjected, ignoring practically everything else Xain had said.*I called you Erkie.* Xain replied as he continued happily saying or more like thinking. *It's a nickname I came up with just for you.*
*Why you little insignificant scum, how dare you call me Erkie! Who do you think you are to call me anything other than my title? Someone like you doesn't even have the right to call me by my name!* Ercale yelled in Xain's mind, enraged that someone thinks they can address him in such a way.
Xain ignored Ercale's outburst, focusing instead on Malvin, who was still standing in front of him, growing increasingly angry, again. "I said, STOP SPACING OUT YOU FUCKING RAT!" Malvin yelled at Xain, his patience wearing thin. "O- Okay, Malvin, just calm down," Xain stammered, as he felt like his heart was about to burst.
As Malvin took deep breaths to calm himself down, he posed a single question to Xain, "Why?"
"Why what?" Xain responded, his confusion evident in his voice.
"I mean, why are you protecting them?" Malvin continued his questioning.
"If you're talking about Amara, I'm not protecting her," Xain clarified.
"Not her. I mean the other two that are with you," Malvin stated, his tone firm.
"What do you mean? I thought the guard said Zee was innocent, and so is Larkin. I can tell you that before you even interrogate him," Xain lied, his words laced with deception.
"Stop lying, Xain. We know neither of them are innocent. I specifically told the guard to tell you that they were," Malvin stated firmly, seeing through Xain's falsehood. As Xain opened his mouth to speak, Malvin raised his hand, signaling him to pause. "Let me finish," he said.
"Look, Xain, you and I, hell, the entirety of the Ironhelm guard, have a pretty long history. So, this is why I'm telling you this," Malvin continued, observing a hint of concern on Xain's face. "When we arrested you all, we did a background check on those two, and we found nothing—absolutely nothing. Not about how they entered the city, or who they are, or even where they came from before coming here. And I've seen the reports of the things they did in that fight against the magic user. They are undoubtedly magic users themselves, which I am sure you know."
After saying all that, Malvin took a breath and continued, his tone sincere. "And I am sure that the blond woman Amara, you said, was after them. So, I want to ask again, why, Xain? Why are you helping them? For no reason. I get that they're your allies, but still, you're risking your life for them. Just why?" Malvin asked, waiting for Xain's answer, his gaze fixed on him.
"I mean, do I need a reason?" Xain asked genuinely, his voice filled with sincerity. Malvin appeared slightly confused by the question. "Huh? I mean, of course you do," he replied, searching for an explanation.
"No, I mean, needing a reason to help someone is fine, but do you really need one?" Xain emphasized the word "need," his voice filled with conviction. "I mean, you're a guard. If you see someone who needs help, don't you just help them?" Xain questioned, genuinely curious about Malvin's perspective.
"I would, but this situation is different," Malvin quickly responded, his tone defensive.
"Is it? Well, it isn't to me. All I see are two people who have someone chasing after them, and I want to help. That's it," Xain stated firmly. "Ughhhh," Malvin sighed, his mind filled with memories of the numerous times he or someone else on the guard had witnessed Xain helping others, even when he had nothing to gain from it.
*That's admirable,* Ercale stated in Xain's head. *Wait, do you actually agree with me?* Xain asked, intrigued. *No, I don't, but ideals like that can be admirable,* Ercale clarified, acknowledging the value of such principles. *Aw, thank you, Erkie. We're slowly becoming friends, you and I,* Xain said to him. *IF YOU CALL ME THAT INSUFFERABLE NAME ONE MORE TIME, I WILL FIND A WAY TO BLOW YOU UP FROM THE INSIDE!!* Ercale yelled inside Xain's head once more, clearly still displeased with the nickname.
"Look, I get what you're talking about, Xain, but we'll still have to get those two out of this city," Malvin stated firmly. "What? You can't! They have people after them, you know that!" Xain said with a raised tone.
"I know that, but rules are rules. They use magic, meaning they can't stay here, even if they weren't criminals," Malvin stated with a continued firm tone.
"Then I'm leaving too! After what I've seen, I have to help them any way I can!" Xain said, still in a raised tone.
"Like hell you are! You're still a criminal, so the only place you're going is prison," Malvin said, resolute in his decision.
"What if I could use magic too? I know you read the reports of how I survived that fiery bird or whatever it was. You know no normal person can do that, so I can also use magic. Therefore, I have to leave as well," Xain argued, refusing to back down.
"We know about that, but there's no way you can use magic. Not a single person born in this city can," Malvin stated, also standing his ground.
"For goddess's sake, Xain, be responsible for your own life for once! You're only sixteen, for crying out loud, and you already have an extensive criminal record. And now you want to leave the safety of the city for a world you have no knowledge of? Care for your own life, Xain, serve your time and start over," Malvin said, his frustration evident.
"You think I want to live like this? Stealing and fighting for my life? Huh? Because I want to do what you said. I want to live a normal life. I want to study with other kids, do things kids my age do, have parents. But I can't, and I'm also not about to let my friends die," Xain replied, his voice filled with determination, as he stood up from his chair. The tension in the room escalated, and it seemed like a confrontation between Xain and Malvin was imminent.
"Heeey, I have been standing here for a while now. Are you guys just going to keep ignoring me?" a soft and smooth masculine voice rang out from the doorway of the interrogation room.
As they both turn around to see...