The Definition of Evil

Chapter 5

5. Bastian

"One hundred laps around the field starting now!" I yell to my training group. They were all being really disruptive and annoying this morning, so this is a little pay back so I can get my thoughts in order.

    A series of groans run out through the group, but when I glare at them, no one hesitates to do what I ask. Half of them are terrified of me while the other half actually have some respect for me.

    A bunch of younger kids run past giggling and talking amongst themselves followed by a smiling Liam. He comes over and claps me on the back.

    "Wow, one hundred laps. They pissed you off that much today?"

    "They're always being annoying. I don't know how you can stand being around such young kids all day. How do you do it?" I reply.

    "What can I say, I just really like kids." Liam gives me his dazzling smile that I can never help but smile back at. It is a beautiful smile, one that lights up his whole face. It always reminds me of Lenora. Lenora's smile could brighten the whole world. Whenever I needed help she would always be there for me.

    When we were kids Lenora was always the strongest and bravest out of both of us. She was the one who was not afraid to fight back. Never did she back down from a challenge. If she loved you, you were her world and if she hated you, you had no idea what was coming for you. She could be very scary when she wanted to be. Remembering Lenora made the smile drop from my face. I haven't seen her in over twelve years.

    "Hey Baz. Bastian," Liam shook me. I blinked and looked up at him, "You alright there? You kind of zoned out on me for a little bit. You didn't hear a word I said did you?"

    I stare at him blankly, not knowing what to say.

    "Right. Want to tell me where you went?"

    I hesitate. Liam and I had always been close, ever since I came when I was eleven, but I had never told him about my sister.

    "It's okay if you don't want to tell me. Just always know I'm here if you need me," Liam began to walk away. I made a spot on decision and took a deep breath.

    "I had a sister once," Liam immediately stops and turns around, "Her name was Lenora." My voice cracks on her name. I haven't spoken it aloud in years, not since I stopped calling for her in the night after a bad dream.

    Liam gives me a small smile. "I had four sisters. Your's killed by the retriever too?"

    "No! At least, I don't think so. Eae has been constantly telling me that she was killed by the demon that killed my parents, but I don't believe him. I'm trying to find her." Liam's smile turns sad. I hate that I brought up a horrible moment in his past.

    "I wish you all the best. If you ever need help just ask me." Liam turns to leave again.

    "Wait!" I exclaim. I can't let him leave upset. My body aches at the thought of it. What kind of friend am I to upset the only person I have left in the world? "I would like to go now, if you have-ve t-time." My words were slurred and stuttered at the end, showing how nervous I was by asking.

    "Go look for Lenora?" At my nod he continues, "I would love to go. You're my best friend. I would go to the ends of the realms for you.

    "Okay. Okay. Um okay, great," Liam grins at me as I get all flustered.

    "It's cute seeing you get all rosey and embarrassed," Liam is beaming at me now. I'm so glad that I could take away his sadness.

    All of a sudden, Eae appeared beside us. "Bastian, may I have a word with you?" Of course, since you never say no to Eae, I follow him off to the side away from Liam.

    "What did you need, sir?" I ask, annoyedly. He was taking up the time that I could be spending with Liam.

    "I need you to check out a situation we had on the Earth realm. One of our hidden guards said that a young girl was snooping around the other day. I want you to go down and check it out, see if you can find anything." I send a distracted nod his way in response. "Oh, and Bastian?" I turn to face him. "Whatever you and Liam are starting up, just don't bother. It will never be allowed in the end anyway." Eae turned and walked away.

    I stare at his back confusedly. What's wrong with having a friend. Everyone else seems to have one. I sigh.
    Saying goodbye to Liam, I leave to go solve this problem as quickly as possible.

                        ***
    "So you're telling me that a kid came in here to research items in the church for a school project, and you call that an act of suspicious activity?" I was angry. I could be spending my time looking for Lenora with Liam, but instead I have to be here to deal with this bullshit.

    "Sir, you don't understand. I think she is a demon. She was looking behind everything, almost as if she looking for a portal. She didn't have any notes with her, and didn't ask me any questions. It as almost like she was trying to be obvious about what she was searching for."

    "Alright, what did she look like? I'll find her and see what she's up to," I took deep breaths until I calmed down enough to listen to the description. Great, even more time I have to spend on this wild goose chase.

"She was just under six feet, average weight, with soft features, red hair with blonde streaks, blue-green eyes, and-"

"Wait, wait, can you say that last part again?"

"What did you want me to repeat? Red hair with blonde streaks, and blue-green eyes?" The priest looks at me confusedly.

"Yes, yes, that," I have to stop for a moment. The only thing going through my mind is Lenora. Lenora. Lenora. The name matches the beat of my heart. That description would fit Lenora perfectly. It has to be her. It has to be. Maybe she is looking for me too. But wait, he said he thinks she is a demon, that doesn't make sense. I pause my thoughts for a second and take a long look at the priest. He looks straight back at me, indifference shining through his eyes.

"I need you to tell me everything you know."