A metallic rasp filled the restaurant, taunting Liron as he entered it. His skin crawled upon hearing it, like rusted knives being dragged over his body. Adenius sat in a lonely corner, deep in thought. Most guests avoided sitting near him, but as the night matured and the restaurant filled, fewer seats were available. The Inquisitor's breathing sounded like a sick dog, begging to be put out of his misery. He hadn't repaired his mask, the Machina inside still cut.
Liron stopped in front of Adenius, and the Inquisitor giggled without looking up, his chin resting on his hands. "You let me wait for two hours," he said, his voice one worthy of a Qa'an, a Qilesh general. "Good. You're just like Hyal. Please, my dear friend, take a seat."
He pointed at the chair opposite him. Wordless, Liron took it, staring hard at the man who killed his parents. "So, Liron, I hope you enjoy your time on Janloo. I, personally, had not yet had the privilege to travel with them. It is a dream, I can tell you. Have you seen the great fountains yet? Unbelievable. Harras has truly blessed their Alchemists. Here, Alchemy and art are combined to create something special.
"It's the air, too. It is so fresh. So pure. Like no Xenrus pollutes it with existing. To see nature and humanity be so closely interlocked is breathtaking. Makes you wonder what the Empire could achieve once the Fleshdancers are gone and the sun is freed. Oh, excuse me, Liron. Here I am, talking and talking without letting you answer. So, have you explored Sira-Do?"
Liron said nothing.
"So you have not. Strange when its beauty begs one to do so. Wait, I know. You have been to the other islands, right? Did Anginseran show you around?"
Liron said nothing.
"So yes. I see. The Faeling is greatly connected. A shame that Janloo taints itself with rebels, but it is their prerogative to do so, though I wish they would choose a side. You know. But you make the most profit if you remain in the middle, I figure. Have you met the leader of Janloo? Liuh, if my memory doesn't betray me."
Liron said nothing.
"You have. Fascinating. Angiseran's reach goes deeper than expected. Thank you for this knowledge. Many in the Inquisition underestimate him. We have guessed that his compliance with the Empire was nothing but a ruse to help the Resistance. But the shrewd fox never gave us a reason to go after him. Usually, someone like him would have received the Inquisition's mercy, but he was raised by a Fae and…"
Liron slammed his fist on the table, shutting Adenius up. His expression hardened, flexed like a muscle. But Adenius found what he was looking for.
"Oh, a delicate topic, I dare to say. My guess would be that Anginseran hasn't talked to you about this. Understandable, considering what happened in the Fae's Well. Hearing it from me like this would be a betrayal to him. His story is one you need to earn. You are a boy of quality, Liron. It is an honor hunting you."
Liron bared his teeth. Before he could spit a curse at the Inquisitor, a waiter stopped by them, handing them the menu. "Our special tonight is a barely cooked salmon with Bradong sauce," he said.
"Uh," Adenius said in a higher tone. Twisted through his mask, it sounded like a bird shredded by an iron wolf. "Now this is exotic."
The waiter smiled, doing his best to keep his horror hidden.
"Can you give us a minute?" Adenius said. "You special sounds tempting, but we have to go through the menu, of course."
"Naturally," the waiter said, escaping the scene with a quick step.
Adenius went through the menu, reading each page with absolute care. "My, this all sounds delicious. What do you say, Liron."
Liron hadn't touched his menu, staring hard at Adenius. Eyes filled with murder left no mark on the Inquisitor. He whined. "Liron, please. This is a special occasion. You need to enjoy it. Meeting and talking to such a dear friend, you need the proper meal. And there is no better place than here."
Neither moved until Liron's hand pulled the menu to himself, opening it. "Thank you," Adenius said, continuing to go through it himself. "Anginseran has probably already told you, but Janloo was once part of an island dynasty. Thus, their fishing and cooking of said fish was superb. Despite accompanying the clouds for as long as the Empire has served Harras, they have not forgotten their roots. Their artistry with fish is a thing of legend, Liron. I… Hm, I think I will take the special.
"Do you know what a Bradong fruit is? No? Then let me explain. They are from a place called Aras. It is a continent far away from the Empire. Relative, it is rather smaller but filled with exotic life. The beasts there are known to be worse than anything you can imagine. Only the Kin can claim to battle similar monsters. You know of them thanks to your new friend, I take it.
"Anyway. Besides the wildlife, Aras offers a rich selection of fruits you have never seen before. This place breeds things beyond our comprehension. The Bradong is its most famed representative. Known for its sweet yet sharp taste. Eating them raw can overwhelm the senses, but in the trained hands of a chef, they become a blessing by Harras Himself. Liron, please take the special. You won't regret it. But worry not. Should you decide on something else, I would give you a taste of it, as I have decided on it already."
The waiter returned, taking their order. Neither of them took the special.
"Ah, what a fun game we play," Adenius said. "So, let us talk then, Liron. You have made quite the progression in your Magic. It is staggering, to be honest with you. Within a year or two, you will become an Initiate. A pace that is unheard of. I do wonder whether it has something to do with your dear sister becoming a Wizard, too. You have discovered something. Something that allows you to evolve faster than you should. My, what I would give to learn it. But, alas, you won't tell me."
"It's a tree," Liron said.
Adenius paused. Was he taken off guard, or did he play it? With him, it didn't matter. He would find a way to let both of them serve him.
"A tree showed up and unlocked my Gate," Liron continued.
"A tree?" Adenius asked.
"It had the appearance of it, yeah. But perhaps it was Harras Himself. You know, he could have decided to give me a fightin' chance by blessin' me with a kiss on my dick."
"Why should our heavenly father aid you after warning us all?"
"Did he, though? Or did he want to show me it was possible to cut down you, the Empire, and everything you believe and stand for?"
"An intriguing thought. Indeed, perhaps Harras has forsaken us all and decided to bless us with the knowledge of our doom. And you with the strength to ruin this false prophet and the ones that follow him. But I hope you forgive me for the question: when did this tree appear to you?"
"I'd like to say when I was deep in your mother's ass, but I don't prefer the company of pigs."
"Ah, I see. I also don't favor performing the union with an animal. A reasonable aversion."
"My heart beats lighter knowin' you understand."
"Of course. We are dear friends after all. Say, Liron, what does being a friend mean to you?"
Liron shrugged. "I don't know. Killin' each other's parents. Tryin' to trick someone into eatin' something that would make you drunk or high. Mhm… let me think. Ah, killing an entire city to get to the other. Yeah, I'd say that's reasonable."
Adenius knocked on the table. "It is. Friendship is passion, Liron. It is the want to help each other. No matter the cost. I, for myself, hope that I am a good friend. Of course, I cannot be the judge to declare myself as such, but if I listen to my heart… yes, it tells me I'm a good friend. You know why?"
Liron frowned. "Please. I want to hear," he said in a dry voice.
"Because I helped you."
Liron's fingernails dug into the table, and a vein popped on his forehead. "You've helped me?" he said, his voice a whisper. "How?"
As Adenius wanted to answer, the waiter returned with their dishes. Adenius showed him in compliments, but the waiter's only concern was doing his job and fleeing yet again. The Inquisitor took his cutlery and cut his fish. "A moment, please," he said.
He lowered his head and pushed his mask up to take a bite. Liron saw no glimpse of his face. Adenius took his time chewing, bathing in the taste. He was on the verge of moaning. After he thoroughly enjoyed it, letting the echo of it linger in his mouth, Adenius turned to Liron.
"I killed your parents."