IRON GOD | 2: Empyrean

[27] Qila: Before

In the quiet before Magpie's attack, it had almost been a peaceful evening, where the strangest thing Master Qila had to deal with was Xigon not only letting himself into her study, but seeming eager to see her.

The door creaked open and she looked up from her rocking chair to see him scooting his wheelchair to join her at her small table. She cocked her head, surprised but not at all bothered. "Good evening."

"Good evening indeed." He slammed a stack of notes on the table. "I've got it, Qila. Finally."

"Hmm?" Qila slid the papers over to examine them. "Xigon, I can barely read your handwriting. What is this?"

"The fullest picture I could form." His long fingers grasped the edge of the table. "You know, the very first time I met Ami, she wasn't festering like she is now."

"Mm-hm." Qila squinted. "I vaguely remember. Back when you and Azvalath took on the fanatic who used to be a common cause of death for our students? And it was his first mission?"

"Well..." Xigon winced. "Yes. Said fanatic was actually a relative of Kolo and Valielit. Came to find that out recently, and there's a connection you might find interesting."

Qila looked through the notes and found a rough diagram.

Ami refuses to join us for the time being → repatriates Khohet's remains → WHAT HAPPENED? → Ami has changed and now disturbs me.

"I don't quite follow." The old woman looked up. "What do you think changed?"

"According to Ido, Magpie was with Ami when he and his brother encountered her." He scratched his wrist. "I've since wondered if Ami's more alarming changes started when she returned Khohet's body to his family's village, given that Valielit lived there too. She had to have picked Valielit up around that time."

Qila swallowed hard. "Ami came into my study with a hellish fever a while back."

Xigon cocked his head.

"She couldn't tell me straight what was wrong no matter how hard she tried. It was like her words were twisting between her mind and her mouth." She shuddered at the memory. "She finally just screamed, help me. Then Magpie came out of seemingly nowhere to give Ami a hug, and she instantly quieted down, like..." Qila hated the very thought. "Like she was controlling Ami's mind."

"I've seen it too." Xigon's eyes widened under his goggles. "I see..."

His hands clenched and he looked her straight in the eyes, power radiating so intensely it felt like standing an inch from a fire. His breathing grew rapid and heavy.

She knew that look. It was the same look he'd have as he walked onto a battlefield. The look he'd had as he'd wandered from Kolo's second ascension before returning with bloody hands. Not quite bloodlust, but something more deeply twisted.

Chills needled their way through her.

"Qila?"

She jolted at his voice. "What?"

"This sensation. It's coming from the small room where Ami and Magpie have been living." He stood up from his wheelchair and leaned over the table. "I'm going to investigate. It will most likely come to bloodshed. There's something I'll need to entrust to you."

Qila got up and came to his side. "What would you have me do?"

He took a deep breath, then looked down at her with conviction. "Don't let Valielit escape."

She nodded.

He bowed slightly. "Thank you, i'iba."

There was an address she hadn't heard for ages. It hurt like being struck. "Don't call me that."

His eyes narrowed.

"I am not before you, Xigon," she pressed. "Though...I understand. All this time, you've been doing exactly as I taught, so promise me, Xigon." Qila looked up to meet his fierce eyes. "Promise me that what you're about to do is of your own will."

"You're no longer in control." His jaw clenched. "A pity. You were a more just tyrant."

He took his crutches from the back of his chair and left her with those painful words alone.