Love & Deceit

Chapter 18: Betrayal

We teleported to Matt's apartment after our little Kylaine expedition, hoping to find a way to fix all that had come undone. I relayed everything I had learned in the City of Emotions to Matt, so he had a brief idea of what I'd seen. Seeing the world through Azeroth's eyes just made me realize how wrong I was, to believe that I could ever be that cruel, and ruthless. I cannot believe that I nearly agreed to help Azeroth end the world. It's not natural order, he's a mindless killer, and I intend to stop him...I will do whatever it takes. Azeroth, I will find you, I will save James from your tyrannical clutch and so help me god, I will end you.

"So you think that Dominican is not destroyed?"

"No I don't...and I think it's where Azeroth is, he mentioned something about needing Dominican for his plan. Why? I'm not so sure."

"About Azeroth, how did he used to contact you?"

"He usually just showed up, but that hasn't happened since the 'locked up by my own brother' debacle. I'm assuming he just thinks that I declined his offer."

"I have to ask..."

His face shifted to an expression of worry.

"Were you really going to accept if your brother hadn't...you know?"

"...Do you really want to know?"

He sighed, and then nodded gently.

"I do."

"...I was."

His expression shifted to one of surprise, and then sorrow.

"See? I knew that, but hearing it from you..."

"Matt, I felt as though I had no other choice."

"..."

"I know how reckless you think that was, and I guess on some wavelength I'm glad that Ash locked me up, but...I had to. He said he was going to free James."

"Of course you did."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, that's the only thing that could possibly cause you to do something so undeniably foolish."

I could sense the implication behind his words. Only my love for James would make me do something that dumb. I guess part of him wishes that I'd move on from him.

"It was stupid...but emotions can make you do stupid shit."

"What changed your mind?"

"...You did."

"Me?"

"You helped me, even after I called you a killer, even after how I treated you after finding out about your...occupation. I thought about killing you, Matt...and yet you still managed to come to my rescue, like you always do."

"..."

"So...I guess it made me realize that I'm not ready to give up on this world just yet."

He gave me an affectionate smile.

"I'm glad I was able to pull you out of The Darkness."

I smiled at him.

"You always do, Matt."

He rubbed his neck sheepishly, before bringing us to the matter at hand.

"So...how the hell are we supposed to find a Dimension that was presumed to be dust until mere seconds ago?"

"I have an idea..."

I gave him a sheepish look.

"I have a feeling that I'm not going to like this."