The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 80: Where I want to be. (Part 2)

Ratansi took the letter and opened it. His brow creased as he read. Towards the end he released a tired sigh before handing the letter to me.

Dear friends,

By the time you read this letter I most likely won't be myself.

In that case, I apologise if some of my larger aspirations come to light.

Make use of whatever you need here to stop me should I go too far.

This power is unlike anything I have felt before.

Before I lose myself, I have chosen to at least do one good deed.

My apprentice Tear from another life.

She can explain the details and has been told to hold nothing back.

Please, for whatever friendship we had, keep her safe.

I have deleted memories of this place and letter from my mind.

Best of luck dealing with whatever I do.

Yours Truly

Kazu Hinterhold.

I finished the letter stunned and unsure how to take it. My eyes naturally shifted to the half-elven women. On closer inspection she was younger than I had initially thought. She looked at us now with concerned wide eyes, more lost than we were.

"Ardent," Ratansi begun, "The letter at least is real. Whether it is the truth, I cannot say."

"Yeah, I had the same thought." I frowned and pressed the bridge of my nose, "This could be a trap as well."

Tear frowned, eyes glaring towards us, "My Master wouldn't do that!"

"Your Master is a changed man now," I replied bluntly. "He said you'd hold nothing back. Explain what happened and while you're at it, explain this." I gestured broadly to the research on Rift Walkers.

The young woman took a half step back, "First, tell me what happened to Master Hinterhold." Her eyes locked against ours, refusing to budge.

I looked to Ratansi, not having the heart to say it. The way she spoke about Kazu, it was clear he meant a lot to her.

"Kazu...," Ratansi spoke slowly, "Kazu became a demon but not on his own whims. His mind has been replaced with madness and even now he threatens to destroy the balance of the world. We have evidence that he has used even Rift Walkers as tools for his goals."

"No," Tear shook her head. "No! That can't be true. Master wouldn't- he wouldn't...." In the end as much as she refused it, she saw our own expressions. We hated the situation as much as she did, but while she hesitated, we had already made our choice. Kazu needed to be eliminated.

"Tear," I looked at her tenderly. "Please, explain what happened. I also need to know, did Kazu cause the first Rift Walker invasion?" My eyes flicked to the research on the table.

"Master- he-," she grit her teeth. "It wasn't his fault...."

Ratansi heaved a long sigh, shaking his head exasperated, "Kazu...."

"You don't understand," Tear began to speak pleadingly. "Master was the Grand Vizier of Taranthala. He served the Emperor directly. Master was curious by nature. Even I know that sometimes he went too far, but..., his research was given by the Emperor, he couldn't refuse it."